9.3 Sending Messages to Logged-In Users

You can use the Connection Manager to send a message to NCP clients that are connected to the NCP Server via the Client for Open Enterprise Server. Broken connections and users that are not logged in through Client for Open Enterprise Server software do not receive the message. You typically send messages before you shut down, reset, or restart your server for any reason. You might also want to send a message to a specific user before you close an open file or clear a connection.

For example, the message appears in a dialog box at the users’ workstations.

9.3.1 Enabling or Disabling Broadcast Message Support

The ability to send broadcast messages is enabled by default. You can disable this feature by enabling the DISABLE_BROADCAST parameter. The parameter’s default setting is 0, which allows messages.

  1. In OES Remote Manager for Linux, select Manage NCP Services > Manage Server.

  2. In the Server Parameter Information list, click the Parameter Value link for the DISABLE_BROADCAST parameter.

  3. Specify the new value as 0 (default, enables broadcasting) or 1 (disables broadcasting), then click Change.

9.3.2 Broadcasting a Message to All Users

  1. In OES Remote Manager, click Manage NCP Services > Manage Connections to open the Connections Manager page.

  2. Type the message in the Broadcast Message to Everyone field.

    You can enter up to 252 characters and spaces in the message.

  3. Click Send.

9.3.3 Sending a Message to a Specific User

  1. In OES Remote Manager, click Manage NCP Services > Manage Connections to open the Connections Manager page.

  2. Scroll down to view the connections in the Connection Listing report.

  3. (Optional) Sort the list by clicking the Sort icon Sort Icon in the column heading of interest.

  4. Click the Name link for a specific connection to view details about it.

  5. Type the message for the user in the Send Message field.

    You can enter up to 252 characters and spaces in the message.

  6. Click Send.

9.3.4 Configuring the Client for Open Enterprise Server for Sending and Receiving Messages

For OES 2 SP1 and later, the Send Message capability is available in the Client for Open Enterprise Server 2 SP4 or later.

The ability for a user to send and receive broadcast messages on the user’s workstation is controlled by four NCP client property settings in the Client Properties (right-click the Client icon, then select Client Properties).

Table 9-3 Client Properties for Broadcast Messages

Property

Description

Settings

Receive Broadcast Messages

(under the Advanced Menu Settings tab)

Specifies which broadcast messages, if any, to be received by this client.
  • All - Receive all broadcast messages.
  • Server Only - Receive broadcast messages sent by NCP Server only.
  • None - Do not receive any broadcast messages.

Enable Send Message

(under the Advanced Menu Settings tab)

Enables or disables the Send Message function for this client.

On (default) or Off

Enable Send Message to Server Dialog

(under the Advanced Menu Settings tab)

Enables or disables the ability of this client to send broadcast messages to the NCP server where the user is logged in.

On or Off (default)

Enable Send Message to User Dialog

(under the Advanced Menu Settings tab)

Enables or disables the ability of this client to send broadcast messages to specific NCP users.

On (default) or Off

To send a broadcast message:

  1. Right-click the red N to open the menu, then select OES Utilities > Send Message > To Users to open the Send Message dialog box.

  2. From the list of available servers, double-click the server to see a list of users and groups connected to that server.

  3. Type the message.

    You can enter up to 252 characters and spaces in the message.

  4. Select the users and groups to send the message to. Press and hold down the Control key to select multiple users or groups.

    Only users who are logged in are eligible to receive the messages. Broken connections, users who are not logged in through Client for Open Enterprise Server software, and users who are logged in with a Client that does not support the Send Message feature cannot receive the message.

  5. Click Send.

    The Send Message Results dialog box appears, showing the users and groups to whom the message was sent.