Help Documentation for mnm 5 (MultiNetwork Manager)
|
Help Documentation for mnm 5 (MultiNetwork Manager) |
| mnm 5 | |
| Overview | |
| Install/Upgrade Information (important for 4.X users) | |
| Getting Started | |
| Boot Time Apptication (BTA) | |
| Settings | |
| Preferences | |
| Trouble Shooting | |
| About GlobeSoft | |
| Support | |
The
latest version of this documet is also available on-line at http://www.globesoft.com
If you are installing mnm on Win98 SE (Second Edition) we recommend that you go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com and download the Windows 98 Second Edition Shutdown Supplement.
mnm currently runs on Win95/98/NT and W2K. To run mnm on NT, SP6 or higher is supported.
To upgrade from 4.X of mnm it's important that you are aware of that saved 4.X settings will not work in 5.x. All the configurations (i.e. tabs) created in 4.X will have to be recreated in 5.0. GlobeSoft will in future releases continue to support the 5.x format.
If you wish to install mnm from a command window or using a push application to install mnm remotely over a network, please contact GlobeSoft for more information on how to do so. Basically we will send you a different set of media files.
Do you connect to more than
one network?
mnm is primarily aimed at mobile users, persons who work dynamically
at several locations in the network and to those who need to connect to multiple
offices or customers. Also users who have a private Internet connection at home
combined with the corporate network.
Are You tired of always
having to configure your settings each time you change location?
mnm lets the user configure multiple alternative configurations, stored
under separate tabs in one place. The User easily chooses the alternative with
a push of a button.
Are You as a network admin
tired of regularly having to reset and correct the users configurations?
By using mnm you can pre configure the company's settings under separate
tabs. This reduces the need for costly and time consuming support.
See Also:
mnm lets the user independently create various settings for connections, TCP/IP, Proxy and Domains/Network Clients. The user combines these settings into a "session configuration".
The first time a user launches
mnm, the first thing to do, is usually to save the settings currently
active on the computer. The best way to do this is to create a new tab representing
the current configuration. From the new tab
i.e "session configuration" save each of the individual settings that you later
want to be able to restore (this is described in more detail below). In version
5.1 and higher this first tab "My Settings" will be created for you
and all you need to do is to rename the tab.
If you are using mnm on WinNT/W2K, some functionality will not be availible until your administrator either:
The second choice is usually more desirable for corporations with strict security policies. With the second choice the user will only be able to perform privileged tasks available from mnm.
The first time you launch mnm this is the screen that you will see. mnm will from now on also be available from the system tray, unless you select otherwise from the preferences menu item "mnm settings".
The first thing you need to do is to create a new configuration tab that will hold your preferred settings. mnm lets you configure multiple settings that you combine to create a "session configuration" i.e. tab. One tab may or may not include all available settings. In the default screen shown above, settings for Connection, TCP/IP, Proxy and Domain/Workgroup are displayed. You can select more settings from the view menu for the same configuration. Press the "New" button to create a new tab.
In the figure shown above, the new tab is called GlobeSoft. Most of the buttons and menu item should now be enabled. The next step is to set up the individual settings. Settings created from this tab can later be reused from other tabs. One TCP/IP setting, might for example, use multiple Proxy settings. If this is the case you can create two tabs that use the same TCP/IP settings, but different Proxy settings. To create a new setting press the corresponding new button. In this example we want to add a new Proxy setting. Press the "New" Proxy button.
The main proxy settings window is displayed. Almost always, when creating a new setting you want to start by loading the current settings. You do this by pressing the "Load Current" button. The Load current button, loads the settings currently in use by your operating system and displays them in the dialog box. The first time you use mnm you probably want to start by saving your current settings. If this is the case, simply press "Save" after you have pressed "Load current" and save your current configuration with an appropriate name. The only time that you don't want to load the current configuration is when all the individual items are different and you need to type them in anyway.
You repeat the steps described above for Proxy settings to create new settings for all the components that you want to include in your configuration (i.e. tab). When you have created multiple settings and configurations, you can switch between them, by pressing the "Use" button. In most cases the settings will work without rebooting the computer, but when a reboot is necessary the application will let you know.
All the buttons are also availble from the menu.
The BTA is implemented differently in Win9x and NT/W2K. In Win9x the BTA is a 16 bit static driver that is loaded as soon as possible in the boot sequence. In WinNT and W2K the BTA replaces the currently installed logon process (GINA) and takes control before the user loges on to the computer. In both cases the goal is the same: to let the user select configuration as soon as possible before the system is completely started.
In Win9x the user can set a counter, that counts down before the system automatically continues to load the current configuration. If the timeout is set to 0 the BTA will wait indefinitely for user input.
This section gives a brief overview for all the components that can be included in one "session configuration" (i.e. tab).
The connection component let's you configure how you want to access a network. Some of Microsoft connectivity products (e.g. Internet Explorer etc) looks at these settings to determine how the connection is to be made. You can choose between LAN, Dial-up or Dial-up if no LAN is present.
You may also modify or add new Dial-up connections from this dialog. Depending on what version of Microsoft Internet Explorer you have, the richness of this functionality varies. This component requires MS Internet Explorer to be installed to work. Netscape Navigator is also supported from other setting components.
You can access the Remote Access dialer from the main menu directly, if you wish to make the Dial-up connection manually.
The TCP/IP component let's you setup all your TCP/IP settings. If multiple Network adapters are present, this dialog will let you configure all the adapters. This can be really useful, but it is also important that you configure all your adapters for every setting. The best way to ensure that this is done, is to load the current configuration before you make the desired changes to a new configuration.
This dialog will look slightly different depending on which operating system you are running on.
Some useful hints:
Note:
In W2K changing TCP/IP settings will not require a reboot, but in Win95/98 a reboot is required. In NT a reboot is sometimes required.
.
mnm supports both Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer proxy settings. If you have a new browser and the proxy settings does not work, please make sure that you have the latest version of mnm, since we continually upgrade the product to support new browsers. mnm also supports the WSP Proxy Client used in conjunction with MS Proxy Server.
When creating new Proxy setting, it is a usually a good idea to start by loading the current settings and modifying the parts that you want to change for the new setting.
If you have WSP installed and don't want to use it in one configuration, make sure that you disable it.
By pressing the "View" or "Advanced" buttons more proxy settings are available.
Note:
Before switching (using) proxy settings it is a good idea to close all your browsers for the new settings to take affect.
Domain/Workgroup Settings (WinNT/W2K only):
The Domain/Workgroup settings let you select which NT/W2K Domain or Workgroup you want to log on to. It also saves the user name and other relevant client settings. This functionality is different depending on whether you are running mnm on NT/W2K or Win95/98.
You can save the current Domain without being connected to a network, but to create a new domain configuration you must be connected to a network that can reach the domain controller. If you modify the domain or computer name when the domain radio button is selected, you must enter a domain admin user name and password so that mnm can connect to the domain controller and set up the new account.
If you are running Win95/98, please consult the help section for Network Client Settings.
This component is reached from the view menu and let's you select a set of network mappings that are to be used when included in a configuration. This is pretty straight forward and easy to use, but it is worth mentioning that the "Remove existing mappings if neccessary" checkbox should almost always be set. If this checkbox is not set and there already is a mapping to the drive an error dialog box will be displayed.
This component is reached from the view menu and let's you select the deafult printer that you want to include in a configuration. This is useful when you travel to a new location or move around in one location. Sometimes it's hard to remember which printer to use and sometimes you simply forget to change it when printing. This may in the worst case, result in that sensetive documents are printed somewhere remotely from you.
Network Client Settings (Win95/98 only):
The Network Client component is reached from the view menu and let's you manage your client settings. Computer identification information are common to all clients, but if multiple Network clients are present, this dialog will let you configure them separately.
If you add Network Clients to your system then it's strongly recomended that you refresh your mnm Network Client Settings.
We currently support the following clients (other compatible clients might be supported):
Grant/Revoke user rights for mnm (WinNT/W2K only):
Some of the settings that mnm switches between, require more privileges than a normal NT/W2K user is granted. mnm will let you know if you need more privileges on your NT/W2K workstation! There are two ways to get the required privileges.
The second choice is usually more desirable for corporations with strict security policies. With the second choice the user will only be able to perform privileged tasks available from mnm. The user will still not able to perform other administrative tasks when logged on to the WinNT/W2K workstation.
In W2K the user may still only be able to swapp TCPIP settings from the the Boot Time Application (BTA). This will soon be fixed so that all non admin users can switch TCPIP settings once granted access by mnm.:
How does mnm do this?
mnm creates a Local account with administrative privileges, that will be used to perform privileged operations. This account is called MNM_LOCAL_ADMIN". mnm also grants the user TCB (traverse checking bypass) and Change Privileges, required to use the MNM_LOCAL_ADMIN account.
Note:
Only a Local Administrator or Domain Administrator can grant/revoke user rights for mnm.
Always in System Tray:
The "Always in System Tray" checkbox is checked when mnm is first installed. If you deselect this checkbox, mnm will no longer be available from the System tray, when you exit mnm or reboot your computer. The thread that is active to control the tray functionality uses very limited system resources, the main mnm application is not loaded. You can launch mnm by clicking on the tray icon or selecting the "Launch mnm " context menu item when right clicking on the tray icon.
Enable Win95/98 Boot menu:
When this checkbox is selected mnm will launch a Boot Time Application (BTA). The default state is checked.
The BTA is implemented differently in Win9x and NT. In Win9x the BTA is a 16 bit static driver that is loaded as soon as possible in the boot sequence. In WinNT the BTA replaces the currently installed logon process (GINA) and takes control before the user loges on to the computer. In both cases the goal is the same: to let the user select configuration as soon as possible before the system is completely started. This is really useful when arriving at a new location avoiding having to reboot the computer twice.
In Win9x the user can set the counter, that counts down before the system automatically continues to load the current configuration. If the timeout is set to 0 the BTA will wait indefinitely for user input.
Enable NT reduce reboot (WinNT only):
When this checkbox is selected mnm will use a plugin called TCPCFGEX that switches IP addresses, DHCP, SubnetMask and Gateway without requireing a reboot. This plugin does not work as well when multiple network adapters are installed and can therfore be deselected.
Disable Scandisk (Win9x only):
When this check box is selected mnm will modify MSDOS.SYS to omit scan disk if the system was not shutdown properly. This is not necessary on most systems. However some drivers don't respond to the shutdown message that the mnm BTA sends when rebooting the system which forces an unnecessary run of scan disk every time the computer is rebooted.
This section will grow as we learn more about what kind of problems our users are experiencing. To get the latest version from our web site, press the link below.
http://www.globesoft.com/doc/mnmgr.html#MNM_TroubleShooting
I get an error message regarding a bug in W2K?
This is a bug in W2K that involves the API's that handle your interface adapters. GlobeSoft is working with Microsoft to try and resolve this issue. If this takes to long a workaround will be added in the next release.
I get an error message in NT, saying that my system is slow or something else is wrong?
Launch mnm settings dialog and deselect 'Enable NT reduce reboot'. Read more about this in the appropriate help section above.
Why will my new Proxy settings that I switched to, not work?
Before switching proxy settings you need to close all your browser windows.
Why do I get error dialog boxes every time I try to switch Network mappings?
You probably already have an existing mapping to one or more drives that you are trying to set. Check the "Remove existing mapping if necessary" checkbox.
I don't seem to have permissions to create new TCPIP settings.
You need to get the required privileges, see Grant/Revoke user rights for mnm .
How to get local Admin privileges
This section is applicable to WinNT and W2K. However for W2K the steps are slightly differen.
To get local administrative privileges you need to add your account to the local administrators group:
1. Log on as Administrator or Domain Administrator
2. Launch the NT User Manager fromPrograms->Administrative tools menu item.
3. Double click on the Administrators group
4. Press the add button
5. Add the name for the new account that should belong to the Administrator group
6. Press OK and exit the user manager. The user now has local administrative privileges.
GlobeSoft is a Software development company working with utility applications for the Windows family. GlobeSoft has the ability and knowledge to work close to the operating system, utilizing undocumented resources to accomplish desired tasks. The firm GlobeSoft was registered in October 1999, but the chief engineer has been working with the products well over a year. The enormous interest for the products and services, made it possible to launch the new company. GlobeSoft is in a very expansive phase, we are currently connecting value added resellers world wide so our products will be easily available in every market. GlobeSoft is dedicated to develop software for what we call "Dynamic Networking Environments" and mobile users. We are certainly not alone in this market, but we do differentiate our products in some very important ways. Even though "Dynamic Networking Environments" is key for us and will stay the most important part of our business, we do have other products and plan for other niche products in the future. GlobeSoft has both the financial and technical resources to stay in the market place for a long time.
To be eligible for product support you must register a purchased copy at http://www.globesoft.com. Please send all support issues to support@globesoft.com. We try to answer all our support questions within a day or two.
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