6.3 Windows

Configuration information is kept in the system registry under the following key: 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Novell\NICI.

A second key identifies the version of NICI currently installed. For example: 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Novell\NICI (Shared) U.S./Worldwide (128 bit).

6.3.1 Performing a Backup

  1. Back up any registry information under

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Novell\NICI*.

    NICI* indicates all registry keys that begin with NICI. There might be more than one.

  2. Back up the directory, including subdirectories, identified by 

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Novell\NICI\ConfigDirectory

    As with UNIX systems, you should remember the access rights on that directory and all subdirectories.

The following tables list the directories and files that need to be backed up:

Table 6-2 Windows 32-Bit

Directory/File Name

File Type and Special Instructions

%systemroot%/system32

32-bit and 64-bit files.

When running on a Windows 32-bit kernel, the ccsw32.dll file is stored at this location. When running on a Windows 64-bit kernel, the ccswx64.dll file is also stored at this location.

32-bit applications running on 32-bit kernels, and 64-bit applications running on 64-bit kernels are stored at this location.

Table 6-3 Windows 64-Bit

Directory/File Name

File Type and Special Instructions

%systemroot%/syswow64

32-bit files.

When running on a Windows 64-bit kernel, the 32-bit ccsw32.dll file is relocated to this location.

In order to function properly, all 32-bit applications running on a 64-bit kernel are redirected to this location.

On Windows systems, if commercial software is used to do the backup, make sure the backup program itself runs as a system process. This ensures that the program can access all the directories and subdirectories.

6.3.2 Restoring NICI

  1. Determine if NICI is already installed on the server by searching the registry for the NICI registry keys mentioned in Section 6.3.1, Performing a Backup, then do one of the following:

    • If NICI is not installed, restore all the registry information first.

    • If NICI is installed, remove NICI and overwrite the registry information from the backup store.

  2. Restore the files and directories within HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Novell\NICI\ConfigDirectory as selected by the operator.

The files should be restored as a group. But if you are knowledgeable, you can choose to restore individual entries. This can be done only if the nicifk and xmgrcfg.wks files did not change from the files in the backup store. If this is the case, be sure to adjust the access rights based on the new owner of the user configuration directories. The individual directories are named after the owner, but access rights are controlled by the SID. For example, just because a subdirectory is named BOB does not automatically mean that the current user BOB is the correct owner of the information being restored.

6.3.3 Special Cases for Windows

It is possible to configure the registry value HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Novell\NICI\UserDirectoryRoot to indicate that the user configuration files be placed in the user’s personal configuration directory. In this case, you should be prepared to back up and restore the user information independently as part of normal backup and restore operations. If NICI has been configured in this manner, you should be aware of it and be prepared to do individual backups.

This special case for the Windows user directory is enabled by creating the registry value EnableUserProfileDirectory rather than just pointing the directory path there. When the user profile directory is enabled, the directory might be automatically deleted when Windows is configured to automatically create and delete user accounts. In this case, backup and restore is necessary only for those specific users who are permanent.

The default path is the Application Data\Novell\Nici directory branch of the user’s directory in Documents and Settings.