REMOTE PROGRAM LOAD - TO NETWARE

Support Bulletin : 5100 Rev. d

Abstract: This document contains instructions on how to configure a single IPXODI DOS
workstation to boot from a NetWare 3.12 or 4.1 file server using Remote Program Load (RPL).
Please NOTE that Novell has two PROM types and therefore TWO methods of "RPLing."

The two methods:

Remote Boot
1.The Remote Boot method is distinct in that all of the code necessary for the workstation to connect resides in the PROM. The only way to implement new remote boot code is to replace the PROM. This method requires the use of additional Novell files: RPLFIX.COM and RPLODI.COM. Remote Boot displays this message when loading: " Novell NetWare Remote Program Loader."

Remote Program Load (RPL)
2. The Remote Program Load method, also referred to as Enhanced Remote Boot, is distinct in that not all of the code resides on the PROM. Part of the code resides in *.rpl files at the server and therefore the PROM does not have to be replaced. To update remote boot the *.rpl files at the server are replaced (Ether.rpl, token.rpl, rboot.rpl etc). This method does not use RPLFIX.COM or RPLODI.COM; however, RPL.NLM must be loaded at the server. RPL displays this message when loading: "Novell BootROM v1.01 (931201)."

Here is a list of RPL files and the adapters they support.

RBOOT.RPL (code for Novell and OEM PROMS, used with Racores adapters)
ETHER.RPL (code for IBM Ethernet PROMS)
TOKEN.RPL (code for IBM Token Ring PROMS)
PCN2L.RPL (code for IBM PCN2L PROMS)

Related documents:

Novell documents:
"Workstation for DOS and MS Windows."

Novell WEB documents:
Troubleshooting RPL and Remote Boot

The Procedure:

1.If the RPL code on your adapter is not ver 1.09a (v1.10 will not work) perform MKFLASH.EXE on the adapter. MKFLASH re-programs the adapters Flash ROM with code from file NW16RPL.COM (5-10-94) Both files are located in the diags subdirectory of the Racore Driver Diskette.

To perform MKFLASH.EXE:

A. Change to the DIAGS subdirectory.

B. Run the Make flash utility, MKFLASH.EXE to update the flash ROM. For more detailed information on this procedure, refer to the MKFLASH.DOC file on the Racore Drivers Diskette.


2. Reconfigure the RACORE Token-Ring card to boot from Novell RPL. This is performed using the flash ROM utility (Alt-R).


3. Create a bootable floppy that will connect to the server . Use a basic configuration to minimize errors.

Example of files on bootable disk:

lsl.com		(Novell file)

rtr16odi.com	(Racore file)

ipxodi.com		(Novell file)

vlm.exe 		(Novell file)

himem.sys		(MS DOS file)

autoexec.bat	(text file)

config.sys		(text file)

command.com	(MS DOS file)

io.sys		(MS DOS file)

msdos.sys		(DOS file)

The autoexec.bat file may contain a simple configuration:

lsl.com		(4-17-95, v2.16 or greater)

rtr16odi.com	(6-19-95, v2.16 or greater)

ipxodi.com	(8-8-95, v3.02 or greater)

vlm.exe		(10-2-95, v1.20b or greater)

RPLODI is NOT used with this procedure.

A basic config.sys file:

device=\himem.sys /testmem:off

lastdrive=z

A basic net.cfg file:

netware DOS requestor

	first network drive F

Additional files needed: all required vlm's. 4. Login to the RPL server with supervisory rights (admin for Netware 4.1). Enter the following commands:

map f:=sys:system

map g:=sys:login 

g:

f:dosgen

*******NOTE:The screen reads:***************
Floppy Type:...
Total Floppy space...
Transferring Data... to "NET$DOS.SYS"
*********************************************

flag net$dos.sys +SH

NOTE: Using NetWare 4.1, flag with "+SH", if using Netware 3.12, flag with "S"

copy a:autoexec.bat g:

NOTE: If the autoexec.bat is not copied from the floppy to the login directory the error "Batch file missing" may occur.

5. At the server, load and bind the RPL.NLM protocol to the network adapter.

6. Reboot the workstation without floppy disk to start the RPL process.

Here is what appears on the screen:

Novell BootROM v1.01 (931201)

Racore 16/4 Token Ring MLID v1.09a RPL(940426)



" Starting MS-DOS..."

The workstation inserts twice into the ring.

If you can access the network in the same way as you did from the boot disk your RPL is a success.

NOTES: Other factors may affect access to your server. For example: Command.com should be in your login script to avoid having the system look to your disk drive. The DOSGEN screen may not appear exactly like the Novell manual states, but will still work correctly. If DOSGEN was not performed correctly, errors may appear: "error reading boot image file" or the server may hang after "Starting MS-DOS..." or when the Racore driver attempts to load.

The Racore ODI driver must be rev. 1.12 or greater.
For the latest Racore drivers download the disk image file from our web site.