Fingerprint logon to Novell netware

[dbett]

Hey all.

I have a feeling this is an insolvable problem - at least until IBM releases new fingerprint reader software. But, I figure I'd post to make sure I wasn't missing something.

My problem is that I can't get the fingerprint reader software to correctly logon to our Novell server.

I'm using Novell Netware client 4.93. The way the client normally works is that it replaces the Windows (XP in my case) login. You simply get the Novell username/password dialog and the Novell Client then handles the Windows login.

But when I activate the fingerprint reader software it puts the Windows login first. It will then try and log into the Novell Client. After I changed my Windows username and password to the same as the Novell ones, it 'works' - at least to appear to login.

But, because it logs in to Windows first, the Novell drive assignments, etc. don't get made. In short, I'm logged in to the Novell server, but can't really do much.

I've tried changing the "Novell" option in the fingerprint software to both automatic and 'ask.' But neither changes anything.

Am I out of luck???

Thanks.

[rjm1135]

As far as I know, to log into Netware using biometic authentication you would need to have NMAS (Novell Modular Authentication Services) installed and configured on your servers/tree. You'd need to talk to your system administrator.

Cheers,
Robert.

[dbett]

As far as I know, to log into Netware using biometic authentication you would need to have NMAS (Novell Modular Authentication Services) installed and configured on your servers/tree. You'd need to talk to your system administrator.

Cheers,
Robert.

Thanks.

I'm pretty sure we do use NMAS - at least based on the fact that NMAS is the only authentication option I choose when I install the Novell client. But I will check with our IT guy (he's happy he could just hand me the laptop box and have me take care of all the setup, so he'll probably be willing to work on this problem).

The Fingerprint software is able to enter the username and password into the Novell login. Ie, after everything fully loads, I am able to view the Novell connections and see that I am "connected" to the server.

The problem seems to be more with the fact that the Fingerprint software logs onto Windows first. That seems to break the drive assignments that the Novell login would normally handle - if the Novell login was occuring first. The result is that I can't access the various network drives.

[rjm1135]

I'm pretty sure we do use NMAS - at least based on the fact that NMAS is the only authentication option I choose when I install the Novell client.

You can install NMAS on the client but that doesn't mean you are able to use it. It still needs to be configured on the servers. I think (on the servers) you need to install the different methods of authentication - fingerprint, smartcard, etc - and then assign those login methods to users.

I haven't really played with NMAS but now I have a ThinkPad with fingerprint reader I may give it a shot sometime.

I hope your IT guy can help - although with a lot of Novell software it may not be an easy task.

Cheers,
Rob.

[JHEM]

You can install NMAS on the client but that doesn't mean you are able to use it. It still needs to be configured on the servers. I think (on the servers) you need to install the different methods of authentication - fingerprint, smartcard, etc - and then assign those login methods to users.

This got me curious enough to call my Novell man. Rob has it correct, it has to be setup for each user individually.

He also said good luck getting it done.

Regards,

James

[rjm1135]

He also said good luck getting it done.

They have a great web site and support community - much nicer than Microsoft in my opinion (although I do a lot less with MS server stuff). Their product documentation and install guides on the other hand ...

Rob.

[dbett]

Thanks everyone.

Our IT guy is at a conference this week, so I'll talk with him next week to see if this can be set up on the server.

We'll see.

Although by the time I get this working I will have spent more time than I will ever save not having to type in my password.