Novell NetWare autoexec.bat

(:title Novell NetWare autoexec.bat:)

[--Note: The commands in the file depend on the existence of a drivers directory with DR-DOS commands loaded. I usually install this file on a server by using the my [[Novell/Netware Utilities]].--]\\\

Since the design of NetWare 3.x and later, a DOS partition has been used to load NetWare server files. While it is possible to boot newer NetWare 6.5 server directly from the Novell partition, most servers still use the DOS Boot partition.

As such, to make sure that your server comes up after every reboot, an autoexec.bat batch file is required. The default autoexec.bat file is a very simple, all it does is change the current directory and run NWSERVER.EXE:
->[@
C:
cd nwserver
server.exe
@]
For my clients I update the autoexec.bat of all the servers to a standard template. This helps both the clients and junior administrators understand exactly what is happening and allows a simple end-user on site to interrupt the boot process and boot into different safe modes or even DOS if remote troubleshooting needs to take place.\\
Note: The commands in the file depend on the existence of a drivers directory with DR-DOS commands loaded. I usually install this file on a server by using the my Netware Utilities.\\\

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ECHO.** Netware 6.5 Service Pack 7 OES2 **

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[@

ECHO.** Office of Public Works Netware 6.5 Service Pack 7 OES2 **

ECHO.** Created by Bob Brandt on 15/01/2006 **

ECHO.
IF NOt EXIST C:\nwserver\server.exe GOTO :boot_dos

ECHO.** Please select one: (default to 'R' after 10 seconds) **
ECHO.** 'R' - Run Netware **
ECHO.** 'D' - Boot to DOS **

IF %errorlevel%==1 SET switch=-NL

@]
(:divend:)

(:title Novell NetWare Autoexec.bat:)

Novell NetWare Server use a number of scripts/batch files to start the server. The NCF file extension is a Novell Control File, in other words a Novell Batch File. These script files are executed in the following order:
#Autoexec.bat
#Startup.ncf
#[[Projects/autoexecncf | Autoexec.ncf]]

The default Autoexec.bat file is a very simple, all it does is change the current directory and run NWSERVER.EXE. For my clients I update the autoexec.bat of all the servers to a standard template. This helps both the clients and junior administrators understand exactly what is happening and allows a simple end-user on site to interrupt the boot process and boot into different safe modes or even DOS if remote troubleshooting needs to take place.\\
Note: The commands in the file depend on the existence of a drivers directory with DR-DOS commands loaded.\\\

[=
@ECHO OFF
CLS
ECHO.*************************************************************
ECHO.** Netware 6.5 Service Pack 6 OES **
ECHO.** **
ECHO.*************************************************************
ECHO.
ECHO.*************************************************************
ECHO.** AUTOEXEC.BAT **
ECHO.** **
ECHO.** Created by Bob Brandt on 10 Jan 2007 **
ECHO.** Web - http://www.brandt.ie/ **
ECHO.** Email - projects@brandt.ie **
ECHO.** **
ECHO.** Licensed under GPL (just in case anyone askes) **
ECHO.*************************************************************
ECHO.
ECHO.
IF NOT EXIST C:\nwserver\server.exe GOTO :boot_dos
ECHO.*************************************************************
ECHO.** Please select one: (default to 'R' after 10 seconds) **
ECHO.** 'R' - Run Netware **
ECHO.** 'D' - Boot to DOS **
ECHO.*************************************************************
\drivers\choice /t:r,10 /c:rd Run NetWare, Boot to DOS
IF %errorlevel%==1 GOTO run_netware

:boot_dos
SET path=%path%;c:\drdos;
call \drivers\loadcd
GOTO end

:run_netware
ECHO.*************************************************************
ECHO.** Please select one: (default to 'R' after 10 seconds) **
ECHO.** 'R' - Run Netware **
ECHO.** 'S' - Run Netware without STARTUP.NCF **
ECHO.** 'A' - Run Netware without AUTOEXEC.NCF **
ECHO.*************************************************************
\drivers\choice /t:r,10 /c:rsa Run NetWare, Netware -NS, Netware -NA
IF %errorlevel%==3 SET switch=-NA
IF %errorlevel%==2 SET switch=-NS
IF %errorlevel%==1 SET switch=
c:
cd \nwserver
server.exe %switch%

:end

=]