This manual presents reference information about using NCBridge on network computers. This manual is written for system administrators and network administrators responsible for installing and administering one or more network computers in a distributed-computing environment.
Assumptions
The procedures in this manual assume:
- You understand your operating system and are familiar with the administration of the intended host computer.
- You are familiar with network protocols and understand the concepts related to local-area networks (LAN).
- You are familiar with the X environment, including window managers and display managers.
Manual Organization
This manual contains the following chapters and appendices:
- Preface - explains the terminology and typographical conventions used in this manual. It also contains a list of related documents.
- Chapter 1, Introduction- gives an overview of network computers, including a features description, and strategies for installing and booting network computers.
- Chapter 2, Remote Configuration- gives information about each of the remote configuration commands, including parameters and examples.
- Chapter 3, Setup- describes the Setup local client. Setup provides an easy-to-use interface for configuring and customizing the network computer.
- Chapter 4, Boot Monitor- describes how to use the boot monitor. It includes an explanation for each of the boot monitor commands.
- Chapter 5, Diagnostics- describes the two self-test diagnostic programs: Kernel Self-Test and Extended Self-Test.
- Chapter 6, Setting Up SNMP- describes the contents of the mib.txt file.
- Chapter 7, Tek220 and Tek340 Emulators- provides information about using and configuring the Tek220 and Tek340 emulators.
- Appendix A, Printing- describes printing capabilities and hardcopy utilities.
- Appendix B, Keyboards- describes the optional keyboards, the key codes, and the default keysym-to-key-code mappings used by the keyboards. This appendix also includes information about remapping key codes and setting keyboard configuration.
- Appendix C, CSLIP- contains information about using CSLIP to connect a network computer to a remote IP network. This also provides information about printing over a serial line via a CSLIP connection.
- Appendix D, Scripting Language- describes the scripting language that can be used to automate network computer functions.
Conventions
Figure 1 illustrates the typographical conventions used in this manual.
The following terminology is used to describe mouse operations.
Pointing: Using the mouse to position the pointer on an object on the display.
Moving: Using the mouse to change the location of the pointer on the display.
Clicking: Pressing and releasing a mouse button without moving the pointer.
Dragging: Pressing and holding down a mouse button while moving the pointer.
Releasing: Releasing the mouse button to complete a dragging action.
Figure 1 Typographical Conventions
Map to the NCBridge Documentation
- Table 1 presents the contents of the manuals in the NCBridge documentation set. These manuals are included on the Documentation CD-ROM.
This book, available in local bookstores, presents window system concepts and includes tutorials for many client programs:
The following documentation from your computer manufacturer would be helpful to look up additional options, subnet masking, and broadcast addresses:
Discontinued Software Features
As NCD continues to add new features to make your NC hardware more valuable, we are forced to discontinue support for some of the older software features. The following is a list of features that were supported in NCBridge 3.2 and earlier software releases, but are not supported in NCBridge 4.0.
Serial Xpress
Serial Xpress enabled a NC or X terminal to connect to a remote host and transmit X Windows data over an RS-232 cable, or indirectly over a phone line using modems. The NC can now be connected using PPP over an RS-232 connection, or connected to a DSL or ISDN connection using the standard network port to provide remote access to a host replacing the need for Serial Xpress.
Local OpenLook Window Manager
The local OpenLook window manager (OLWM) is a window manager for the X Window System that implements parts of the OPEN LOOK graphical user interface, original developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. This feature was previously provided to allow the OLWM program to run as a local client on the Network Computer (NC) to help off load server resources. The OLWM window manager is still supported on the NCs under X Windows by simply running OLWM directly from a Sun host. OLWM is one of the standard window managers on Sun's Workstation products running Solaris. NCs still offer Local Motif (MWM) or (XPWM) window managers to use in place of OLWM where a local window manager is necessary.
Local 3179G Terminal Emulator
The local 3179G Terminal Emulation is no longer included. The local IBM 3179G Terminal Emulation included IBM3720 support along with special IBM Graphics functions (GDDM), including support for older IBM host graphics applications. The NC still offers support for IBM3270 Emulation.