Chapter 2 - Logging In and Out
Logging in to a VINES network is the process of identifying and registering yourself to the network to access files and applications stored on VINES file volumes. Logging in requires a username and a password, which are provided by your system administrator.
Before you log in to VINES, make sure you have:
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VINES software installed on your workstation ![]()
Your username ![]()
Your password
If you do not have these three items, consult your system administrator before proceeding.
Your system administrator will most likely have installed VINES software on your workstation that enables you to log in and use the network.
In addition, your administrator most likely has configured the VINES software so that it loads automatically when you turn on your workstation.
This software can reside on:
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Your workstation's fixed disk (DOS and OS/2). ![]()
A diskette that is inserted into the diskette drive when you turn on your workstation (DOS only). ![]()
A VINES server.
Your system administrator provides a username that identifies you whenever you log in to the network. This username is created by the StreetTalk naming system.
StreetTalk is the VINES naming system that identifies every user and component of the network. In this section, you learn the StreetTalk information you need to log in to the network. For more information on StreetTalk, see Chapter 4.
A StreetTalk username consists of three parts, each separated by an at-sign (@). The three parts are:
Item Name - The most specific part of the username, such as your full name.
Group Name - The name of the group to which you belong, such as a department.
Organization Name - The name of the organization to which the group belongs, such as a company division.
A name can be a maximum of 63 characters long, including the at-sign separators.
Example StreetTalk Name
Duncan Fraser, a salesperson at the Chicago headquarters of World Commodity Trading (WCT), logs in with this StreetTalk username:
duncan fraser@sal@wctus
In this example, "Duncan Fraser" is the item name, "Sal" (for Sales) is the group name, and "WCTUS" (WCT's United States headquarters) is the organization name.
When logging in, you can type your complete StreetTalk name, as in the example above, or just your item name (for example, Duncan Fraser) if your administrator configured the VINES software on your workstation with a login search list.
Also, your system administrator can give you a shorter name to log in with by creating a StreetTalk nickname (for example, DuncanF). For more information on nicknames, see Chapter 4.
The network accepts username entries in any combination of upper- and lower-case letters. For example, Duncan Fraser can enter his username as DUNCAN FRASER, duncan fraser, duncan FRASER, and so forth.
If you have questions about usernames and nicknames, ask your system administrator for assistance.
After you type your username, the system prompts you for a password. The password protects your username so that only you can access the information and resources assigned specifically to you.
Passwords are created by your system administrator. Depending on the security features of your network, passwords may have length restrictions and may expire under certain conditions. Make sure you understand and follow the correct password procedures at your site.
Passwords are case-sensitive. You must type them exactly as defined. For example, if Duncan Fraser's password is nepTUNE, he must type nepTUNE. The network will not accept entries such as neptune or NEPTUNE.
For security reasons, your password is not displayed as you type it on the screen.
After the first login, you may be authorized to change your own password. See "Changing Your Password" later in this chapter for instructions.
This section describes how to log in from a DOS or OS/2 workstation.
To log in to the network from a DOS workstation:
1. Turn on your workstation or, if it is already turned on, reboot your workstation by pressing CTRL-ALT-DEL simultaneously.
Note: If your VINES software is installed on a diskette, insert the disk into the drive before turning on or booting your workstation.
If your system administrator configured your workstation to automatically load VINES software, you see a display similar to the following.
2. At the login prompt, type your StreetTalk username and press ENTER. The Password prompt appears underneath the login prompt.
3. At the Password prompt, type your password and press ENTER.
Note: You must type your password exactly as it is defined.
If you enter your username and password correctly, a sequence of messages appears, similar to that shown in "Your User Profile" later in this chapter.
Once you successfully log in to the network, see "Your User Profile" later in this chapter for more information about your user profile and the initial screen display.
How you log in to your VINES network depends on how your system administrator has configured the VINES software on your workstation.
Before going any further, check with your system administrator for special login procedures. If your administrator installed the VINES software in the default directory, follow the instructions provided in this section.
To log in to the network from an OS/2 workstation:
1. From the OS/2 Main Group Window, open either an OS/2 window or a full-screen command prompt.
2. At the system prompt, type cd dir and press ENTER. Your system administrator will provide the name of dir, the directory where the VINES software is installed. The default directory is vines.
3. At the system prompt, type ban and press ENTER. The VINES login screen appears.
4. At the login prompt, type your StreetTalk username and press ENTER. The password prompt appears.
5. At the password prompt, type your password and press ENTER.
As the VINES software processes your login, your user profile appears on the screen. For more information, see "Your User Profile" later in this chapter.
Immediately after you successfully log in to the network, a summary of your user profile is displayed on your screen.
Every user of the VINES network has a user profile, which is a special file set up by the system administrator.
Your user profile contains special commands that execute each time you log in to your VINES network. These commands provide you with direct access to the network facilities you use most often.
A typical user profile contains:
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The network printer you use when you send a file to print ![]()
DOS or OS/2 commands automatically executed at login ![]()
The location of the files you use ![]()
The name of your mail service ![]()
The connections you can make from your workstation to a host computer
Depending on the security of the network, you may or may not be able to change your user profile. If you have questions, ask your system administrator.
After the user profile display, you may see one of the following screens:
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The VINES Main Menu ![]()
A system prompt, with or without your username (for example, F:\DuncanF> or A:>) ![]()
A customized menu
This display is your interface, or doorway, to the network. From here, you can use your workstation almost exactly as you have in the past. However, you now have access to more data and resources.
Note: This guide contains instructions for accessing applications and resources through the VINES Main Menu and the system prompt only. If a customized menu appears, see your system administrator for assistance.
If You Have Problems Logging In
If you cannot log in successfully, a short explanatory message appears:
Invalid username/password pair or server is unavailable.
Appending your group and organization name may help.
Wrong Username
Most likely, the network does not recognize your username. Try again, making sure to supply your complete StreetTalk username (item@group@organization).
Wrong Password
Perhaps your password is typed incorrectly or no longer valid. Try again, making sure to type your password using the correct upper- and lower-case letters. Once you enter a valid username and password combination, the VINES software lets you proceed as usual.
Unavailable Server
A third possible reason is that the server that maintains your username and password information is unavailable. The server might be shut down for maintenance, or could be shut down to correct network problems.
To maintain security, the network allows three attempts to log in. Afterwards, the same message appears even if you enter a correct username and password pair. If you cannot determine why you are having a problem logging in, ask your system administrator.
Messages About VINES Software Revisions
If you receive a caution message at login concerning the revision of VINES software running on your workstation, it means that a different or new revision of VINES software is installed on the network.
Example Software Revision Message
If you see this message:
The software revision that matches your workstation software cannot be found on the network.
the VINES software installed on your workstation does not match the software installed on the server. You have to upgrade or downgrade your workstation's software. If you see one of these messages, ask your system administrator what action to take.
The password procedure depends on the security enforced at your site. Consult your system administrator for information.
If you are authorized to change your password, follow the instructions below. You must be logged in to change your password:
1. From the system prompt, type password and press ENTER.
2. From the VINES Main Menu, select the Password Update option and press ENTER.
3. When prompted, type your current password and press ENTER.
4. When prompted, type your new password and press ENTER.
Note: A password can include any combination of letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation, and can be subject to length restrictions.
5. When prompted, type your new password again and press ENTER.
Once you complete this procedure, the network changes your password and verifies the change with a message.
If you do not complete the procedure correctly, the system informs you with a message and prompts you to re-enter the correct information.
Note: Depending on the security enforced at your site, VINES system software maintains a record of the last 10 passwords you use, and does not let you change a password to one used previously. An error message appears if you try to enter an old password. Ask your system administrator for information.
When you finish your session on the network, end the session by logging out.
If you have a customized menu, there may be a logout option. If so, follow the instructions provided on your screen.
If you use a DOS workstation, type logout at the system prompt and press ENTER. The network displays a message like this:
Come back soon..
Z:\>
At this point, if you want to log in again, type login at the system prompt and press ENTER. The system prompts you for your username and password. Follow the steps for logging in.
Note: If you turn off your workstation or reboot during a network session without typing the LOGOUT command, the system automatically logs you out and ends the session. It is recommended that you always enter the LOGOUT command to end a session.
The LOGOUT command works identically at your OS/2 workstation. To log out of your VINES network, type logout and press ENTER.
Note: If you have multiple OS/2 sessions open, each running VINES applications, all of the VINES applications exit when you log out from any OS/2 session.
If you log out from a network drive other than drive Z, the network drive designator remains in your system prompt, though it is no longer a valid drive.
Logging In from a Remote Location
If you are logging in from a workstation at a remote location, refer to the VINES PC Dial-in Option Guide for instructions.