Micro Focus Server Enterprise Edition for UNIX > Enterprise Server > Enterprise Server Configuration and Administration > Configuring the Server Instance Environment > Configuring Environment Variables > Setting Environment Variables > Setting Environment Variables for Micro Focus Directory Server

Setting Environment Variables for Micro Focus Directory Server

When you set environment variables for a Micro Focus Directory Server (MFDS), the environment variables apply to all server instances that the MFDS controls.

Note: Environment variables set at the Enterprise Server instance level override any corresponding environment variables set at the MFDS level.

Windows environment

Under Windows, from a command shell you can use the net start command to start MFDS. However, environment variables set in the current command shell’s environment are inherited by the net.exe command, but they are NOT inherited by the MFDS service.

The net start command sends a message to the Windows service controller requesting that it start MFDS. The service controller starts the mfds.exe process, and MFDS inherits its environment.

To change the environment for the MFDS Windows service process, you need to change the system environment on the machine on which the service runs, for example using the System control panel, or by editing it in the Registry.

After you have made the changes, reboot the machine so that the Service Manager configures the new environment.

UNIX environment

Under UNIX, you configure the environment variables in the command shell from which you start MFDS. For example:

Start a command shell.
Set the environment variables that you want. For example, to set that the Enterprise Server instance uses the EBCDIC character set, use the following command:
```
export MF_CHARSET=EBCDIC
```
From the command shell, use the mfds command to start MFDS.