• TMConsole (Shell) interface providing 60+ Extended Console Commands which can be run interactively at the Server or in a task to perform most File System management and maintenance tasks, as well as numerous other Server management operations. Most of the commands emulate their popular Novell / DOS utility counterparts.
  ( TM Quick Reference: Extended Console Commands)
• Enhanced Batch Processor engine supporting both NetWare Command Files (.NCF) and TaskMaster Task files (.TSK) that provides extended Batch Commands, extended System Environment Variables, dynamic User Defined Variables, IF/WHILE conditional logic structures with a wide range of conditional tests, as well as string comparisons.
  (TM Quick Reference: Batch Commands / Scripting Language)
• Flexible Task Scheduler integrated to support the scheduling of .NCF and .TSK scripts based upon intervals (every xx minutes), an hourly time (xx minutes after each hour), or a specific time (hh:mm) on selected days of the week (MWF), a specific day each month (15), or a specific date (12/31).
• Secure Remote Console which utilizes a combination of Bindery/NDS rights and TaskMaster defined access control to grant Full, Limited, or View only access to the Server (via Remote Console DOS Client supported only by full TaskMaster version). Multi-Session, Multi-Server compatibility.
  (TMRemote Overview / Summary)
• Server-to-Server support for many commands. Transfer files between Servers, launch tasks on Remote (Slave) Servers from the Local (Master) Server, even send specific commands to Remote Servers manually or within scheduled tasks.
  (TM Quick Reference: Extended Console Commands - Remote Server Commands)
• File Replication / Data Synchronization for specific files, file patterns, directories, &/or volumes residing on Local &/or Remote Servers via the Extended Console Command: SYNC.   SYNC utilizes a simple, yet flexible, command line interface, rather than a complicated database or an intermediate workstation, and processes Servers on the LAN/WAN, even across NDS trees.
  Server-based (Server-to-Server direct, no Client required)
  SYNC as a scheduled task or on demand (via Console)
  Master-to-Slave / Bi-Directional SYNC processing
  Multiple concurrent SYNC: 1-to-1 / 1-to-Many / Many-to-1
  SYNC a Server / Between Servers (LAN/WAN) / Across NDS trees
  SYNC a single file or a wild card pattern, in a directory or within a directory tree
  Exclude a file, a directory, patterns in a directory, or patterns in a directory tree
  Logging options to record processing activity / results, as well as the ability to view activity and processing statistics in real-time
  Intelligent, real-time compression of data during transfers
  Block level (delta change) updating of files during transfers
  Full NetWare compatibility (LONG / MAC / NFS Name Spaces, Attributes, Compression, Date/Time, IRM, Owner & Trustees)
        How does SYNC work? (Flash demo)
        SXCOPY / SYNC vs. NCOPY & XCOPY (comparison)
        SYNC vs. RSYNC (comparison)
        SYNC FAQ

TaskMaster provides full manual and automated control over the Server environment via one (*1) single NLM, not a conglomeration of NLMs and configuration files. By fully utilizing TaskMaster's features, Server resources can be proactively managed in a more simple and automated fashion than possible using any other combination of tools and utilities.

TaskMaster is available in two versions:

TaskMaster
The full version of TaskMaster includes all of the features listed above. This combination features provides virtually unlimited capabilities towards performing and automating Server management across the network, making TaskMaster not only an exceptional Server management solution but a powerful network management tool.


TaskMaster Lite (TMLite)
An entry level, Server-centric version of TaskMaster consisting of only the Server module which has the following limitations:

• Secure Remote Console support is not included;
• Server-to-Server support is not included;
• File Replication / Data Synchronization (SYNC) support is not included;
The features available in TMLite make it an exceptional Server management solution and an alternative for single Server installations or networks where Remote Server or network integration is not a benefit for Server task automation.

Features (TaskMaster & TMLite)

• Execute DOS-like commands directly at the Server console or within tasks
• Copy between local Directories and Volumes with full NetWare LONG / MAC / NFS Name Space support   (Attributes, date/time, IRM, Ownership, and Trustee Rights)
• Copy to/from the DOS partition while the Server is running (maintaining original source date/time)
• Maximize Server resources by only loading NLMs as needed
• Automate backup procedures (including verification and recovery)
• Shutdown, unload, and reload database NLMs for backup
• Easy to use batch script language with IF/WHILE conditionals and GOTO/CALL operations
• Numerous conditional tests, including boolean comparisons with hundreds of Server environment variables
• Scan / capture screens and simulate keystrokes
• Schedule / Automate virtually any task normally run at the Server
• Extensive on-line help and electronic documentation
• And much more!

• Copy between Servers with full NetWare support (Attributes, date/time, IRM, Ownership, and Trustee Rights, plus LONG / MAC / NFS Name Space support)
• Replicate Files / Synchronize Data between Directories, Volumes on the Local Server, and/or Volumes on Remote Servers (SYNC)
• Submit tasks to Remote Servers
• Coordinate Remote Server operations and collect status reports
• TaskMaster Remote Console DOS Client provides Bindery/NDS secure Server Console access to Remote Servers, plus Server console command and TaskMaster task submission via command line options
• And much more!

Product Reviews and User Quotes
Comments about TaskMaster by the Press and End Users.

• Product Reviews
• User Quotes

Users and Usage
Notable Users and Usages of TaskMaster.

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  TaskMaster FAQ:
  SYNC FAQ: Replicate files / Synchronize data between directories, volumes, & Servers
• Notable Users: How TaskMaster makes their life easier
• Sample Tasks: Examples automating specific tasks

TaskMaster v3: The NetWare Task Scheduling Tool (White Paper)
A document covering TaskMaster v3, some of its uses and how it is being used at some sites, is available for download.

TaskMaster v3: White Paper (Adobe Acrobat .PDF format)
To download Adobe's free Acrobat Reader, visit: http://www.adobe.com

Server Module (NLM)
The TaskMaster^® Server Module (NLM) is the only required component for automating tasks since it incorporates the Extended Console Commands, the Enhanced Batch Processor, and the flexible Task Scheduler. . . All in One NLM! Unlike other alternatives which require the coordination of a conglomeration of NLMs and support files in order to automate a task, this single NLM Server Module is capable of automating virtually any task.

Task Management Windows Client
The TaskMaster^® Task Management Windows Client (TMClient.EXE) provides the means to monitor, schedule and terminate Tasks via a workstation. Both NetWare .NCF and extended TaskMaster .TSK Tasks can be scheduled for execution on a specific date, day of the month, or specific days of the week, and at a particular time, at a certain minute after each hour, or at intervals (every xx minutes), as well as monitored and terminated.

Remote Console DOS Client (TaskMaster only, NOT in TMLite!)
The TaskMaster^® Remote Console DOS Client (TMRemote.EXE) provides a more flexible, functional, secure, and lower resource alternative to access the Server Console screens from a workstation than available through Novell's RCONSOLE utility. It also offers the ability to submit commands or tasks directly to the Server in either a manual or batch mode. It has the following features:

• Allows multiple, simultaneous sessions under Windows (to single or multiple Servers running a Server Module)
• Provides multiple levels of Bindery/NDS aware security, including View Only modes of operation (full view of the Server Console screens but no keyin entry accepted from the workstation)
• Can maintain synchronization with the active screen on the Server Console or be locked to a specific NLM screen
• Supports command line options for batch submission of Server Console commands or task execution (various levels of security also regulate these options)

Supported Platforms
The following platforms are supported by the product:

Server Module:
Novell's NetWare v5.x / v6.x / OES (NetWare kernel)
Volumes: NSS / TFS
Protocols: IPX / 'Pure' IP / Mixed

Windows Client: (32-bit application)
Windows 95 / 98 / ME / NT / 2000 / 2003 / XP
Novell's 32-bit Client required (IPX, 'Pure' IP, or IP w/ IPX compatibility)

DOS Client: (16-bit application)
Windows 95 / 98 / ME / NT / 2000 / 2003 / XP (in DOS box)
Novell's 32-bit Client required (IPX, 'Pure' IP, or IP w/ IPX compatibility)

Release History
Information about the current release, including release notes and the latest update archive, can be found on the:

Ordering
Information about ordering any of avanti's products can be found on the:

Evaluation copy
Fully functional, thirty (30) day evaluation copies of our products can be downloaded from the: