Chapter 1 Introducing the Advanced Server/9000

The Advanced Server/9000 is the industry's only HP-UX-based network operating system (NOS) that is fully compatible with Microsoft® networking technology. As a server for workstations on a local area network (LAN), the Advanced Server/9000 provides file and print services that enable the efficient sharing of computing resources among a community of desktop users. It incorporates the latest Microsoft technology to deliver powerful new network administration and enhanced security features. The Advanced Server/9000 interoperates seamlessly with systems running Windows NT™ Server, Windows NT Workstation, and Windows 95.

The Advanced Server/9000 is based on Windows NT Server, Version 4.0. As a result, The Advanced Server/9000 takes advantage of the HP-UX system's native ability to function simultaneously as a file, print, communications, and applications server, while ensuring compatibility with Microsoft networking features and desktop environments. The Advanced Server/9000 provides networking capabilities that are functionally equivalent to those offered by Windows NT Server.

Advanced Server/9000 represents the next generation of LAN Manager for UNIX Systems technology and enhances it with significant new features based on a distributed enterprise-wide networking model. Advanced Server/9000 maintains down-level compatibility with LAN Manager 2.2 clients. LAN Manager users can add Advanced Server/9000 to their existing network and migrate to the new technology at their own pace.

The following sections summarize Advanced Server/9000 features.

Integration with the HP-UX System

The Advanced Server/9000 encompasses many of the features of the HP-UX operating system, including preemptive multitasking and symmetric multiprocessing. The time-sharing, multi-user model employed by the HP-UX operating system ensures file system integrity and continued server availability — even if a user's application crashes.

The Advanced Server/9000 uses the operating system's native ability to act as a file, print, communications, and applications server. It takes advantage of the HP-UX system's administrative features, management tools, and utilities.

Interoperability with Other Systems

Advanced Server/9000 can function as a file and print server for a small, isolated community of users or as the foundation of an enterprise networking scheme for a large network distributed over a wide area.

Advanced Server/9000 can be deployed as a primary domain controller in a network composed of other Advanced Servers, or Windows NT Server computers.

Advanced Server can also act as a backup domain controller for other Advanced Servers and Windows NT Server computers.

LAN Manager Interoperability and Upgrade Advantage

The Advanced Server/9000 interoperates with LAN Manager 2.2c clients (Windows 3.1 and DOS based). These computers can interoperate with Advanced Server/9000 systems. Advanced Server/9000 and LAN Manager Version 2.2 server software can reside on the same HP-UX system but both network operating systems cannot be run simultaneously.

Only LAN Manager servers need to be upgraded to benefit from Advanced Server/9000 functionality. Advanced Server/9000 is compatible with LAN Manager 2.2c client software; there is no need to change the networking software on each desktop.

Users can benefit immediately from the new resources offered by Advanced Server/9000 without additional training because there is no change in the way users access network resources.

Security

The Advanced Server/9000 offers a logical administrative model that enables efficient management of large networks. An administrator can set up domains and trust relationships between domains to centralize user account and other security information, making the network easier to manage and use. Every user needs only a single account. This account can provide the user with access to resources anywhere on the network.

The Advanced Server/9000 incorporates enhanced features that support discretionary access control permissions on individual files, directories, and resources. Comprehensive auditing capabilities are included. This provides an administrator with a fine level of control over user and resource permissions and auditing.

Network Activity Tracking

The Advanced Server/9000 provides several tools that monitor network activity and track computer usage. For example, you can view servers and see which resources they are sharing; view which users currently are connected to any network server; see which files are open; log and view security auditing entries; keep sophisticated error logs; and specify that alerts be sent to administrators when certain events occur.

Browsing

You can browse domains, workgroups, and computers to look for shared directories and printers. Networks, domains, workgroups, computers, and shared directories are organized in a tree structure. Choose a network name to display available domains and workgroups, a domain or workgroup name to display available computers, or a computer name to display its shared directories.

Printing

Print driver files may be installed on the server to allow automatic driver installation from clients that are running either Windows NT or Windows 95. Clients can browse the network for available printers and they can browse the network for print servers running other operating systems. Print servers can be managed remotely.

Network Services

The Advanced Server/9000 starts several network services automatically so that the capabilities of the network are available as soon as you want to work with the system. You also can choose to start other network services automatically at system startup depending on your system needs.

Network File Sharing

Advanced Server/9000 provides superior performance, reliability, and security for sharing files and directories among network users.

Advanced Server/9000 enables sharing of both local HP-UX system files — such as HP-UX File System (HFS) — or networked HP-UX system files — such as Network File System (NFS) — with network users.

Discretionary access controls and Advanced Server/9000 security on each file and directory provide the ability to specify the groups and users that can access files, define the levels of access that each group or user is permitted, and to control auditing. Additional features include file ownership, directory replication, and extended attribute support.

User Environment Management

Logon scripts are used to configure Windows and MS-DOS® workstation environments by making network connections and starting applications.

Advanced Server/9000 supports Windows NT user profiles which enable administrators to control the access to network resources and desktops of Windows NT Workstation users.

Remote Administration

Advanced Server/9000 can operate and be administered regardless of whether Windows NT is running on the network. However, client-based network administrative tools running on Windows NT Workstation and Windows 95 client computers enable remote administration of Advanced Server/9000.

To administer Advanced Server/9000 remotely, use:

Windows NT Server Tools that are built-in to a Windows NT 4.0 or 3.51 server.

.Network-installable versions of both the Server and Administrative program groups are included with Advanced Server/9000.

Remote administration is supported for all network functions, including server management, security management, and some printer administration.