NetWare Client for DOS and MS Windows User Guide

6-8
Setting Up NetWare Client Workstations to Log In
Understanding Logging In to NetWare Directory Services
Understanding Logging In to NetWare Directory
Services
NetWare Directory Services™ architecture makes logging in to the network
convenient.
User information resides in a global database. Each user is assigned a
position, or context, within the global database that informs the network
where the user’s User object is located in relationship to the entire network.
NOTE: In the NET.CFG file, the context of your User object is referred to as your name
context.
Your User object is given a name called its common name. When you log in
to the network, the LOGIN utility must know where your particular User
object is located—its context.
Your User object’s context also forms its Distinguished Name. The path
from the object to the root of the tree constitutes the object’s Distinguished
Name, which is unique—different from all other objects’ Distinguished
Name.
Your User object’s Distinguished Name is a bottom-up traversal of the tree,
from the object up to the root.
Using the Correct Format of Your Distinguished Name for
Logging In to the Network
When you use a Distinguished Name of a User object, its common name is
listed first, followed by a period (.); then the name of the Organizational Unit
(a container object), also followed by a period; and on up through the
Organization object name (and the Country object name, if used).
So your User object’s Distinguished Name could be represented by
Common name.Organizational Unit name.Organization object
name.Country object name
The actual structure of your Distinguished Name depends on the way your
network is defined.