Preface

The User's Guide for MS-DOS® Clients is for users of Microsoft® LAN Manager for the MS-DOS operating system. This manual describes how to use the LAN Manager Screen menu commands for the Enhanced version and how to use typed commands for the Basic version. It also shows you how to use NetWare® Connectivity, the feature that allows you to use a Novell® NetWare network from your LAN Manager workstation, and the Remote Access service (RAS), the feature that allows off-site PC users transparent access to network resources.

LAN Manager can also be used through the Microsoft Windows™ operating system, version 3.0 or higher. LAN Manager version 2.2 integrates well with networks that include Windows NT™ workstations, Microsoft Windows for Workgroups clients, and Microsoft Workgroup Connection clients. These clients can all connect to the Windows NT workstations or Windows NT Advanced Servers or to the LAN Manager servers, and LAN Manager client workstations can connect to Windows for Workgroups resources. For information about using the Windows for Workgroups client or the Workgroup Connection client, see the documentation accompanying the product. For information about using a LAN Manager client to connect to a Windows for Workgroups resource, see the Microsoft Windows for Workgroups documentation or the User's Guide for Microsoft Windows Clients.

This manual assumes that you know how to use a personal computer and that you are familiar with MS-DOS. If you are not familiar with MS-DOS, see your MS-DOS manual(s).

How LAN Manager for MS-DOS Works

LAN Manager expands the features of MS-DOS to connect your computer to a Windows NT or LAN Manager local area network (LAN). A local area network is a group of personal computers that communicate with each other and share resources such as disk drives, directories, and printers.

A network is made up of workstations and servers. Workstations are computers that can use the network resources. They may be on a desk in an office, or they may be in a manufacturing area or at a customer service desk. Servers are the computers that control the network resources. Your workstation runs MS-DOS; other workstations on the network may run Windows NT, MS-DOS, Operating System/2® (OS/2®), Microsoft Windows, or Windows for Workgroups.

Resources are made available to you and to other network users through a process called sharing. The servers on a network share resources with network users at workstations. First you gain access, or log on, to the network and connect your workstation to a server. Then you can use the network resources as though they were attached directly to your workstation. For example, you can connect to a network printer that's down the hall or in another part of the building, and then print as though the printer were physically attached to your workstation.

You can also use your workstation to use client-server applications that your administrator has set up for you. Client-server applications use the capabilities of both your workstation (the client) and the server to perform a task. For example, a massive database that is to be shared by all users on the network can be kept on a server to assure that all users see the same data and that security and business policies are enforced for the data it contains. Individuals can access this data as needed, using the processing power of the client computers to provide the interface and to work with the data.

To simplify administration and security, a network with Windows NT Advanced Servers or LAN Manager servers can be divided into unique groups of workstations and servers called domains. When you start your workstation, you log on in a domain — usually the one that has the servers you use most often. But because all the domains are part of the same local area network, you can use shared resources on servers in other domains. Computers running Windows NT can be grouped into workgroups, which function much like domains.

A network is maintained by one or more network administrators, who share resources at servers and manage network security. If you need a password to connect to a shared resource, or if you have trouble using your workstation, ask your administrator for help.

Different Versions of LAN Manager

LAN Manager client software for MS-DOS is available in two versions, Basic and Enhanced. If you are not sure which version you have, ask your administrator.

Basic Version

You use LAN Manager Basic by typing commands at the MS-DOS prompt. With LAN Manager Basic, you can:

To learn how to use LAN Manager Basic, see Part 2 of this manual.

Enhanced Version

LAN Manager Enhanced offers you all the features of the LAN Manager Basic, plus the added convenience of the LAN Manager Screen. With LAN Manager Enhanced, you can:

To learn how to use LAN Manager Enhanced, see Part 1 of this manual.

Finding Further Information

This manual is written for users of LAN Manager 2.2 for MS-DOS. In addition to this manual, this documentation set includes the following LAN Manager manuals:

User's Guide for Microsoft Windows Clients

Provides instructions on how to log on and off, send and receive messages, and browse, connect to, and disconnect from network resources, all through Microsoft Windows icons.

Installation Guide for Clients

Provides procedures to install LAN Manager software, and information about the network device drivers used with LAN Manager and about configuring workstations and servers.

NetWare Connectivity Guide

Provides information about installing and administering the NetWare Connectivity feature of LAN Manager, which allows MS-DOS workstations to access Novell NetWare servers as well as Windows NT computers and LAN Manager servers.