Configuring a Novell DOS/Win Client-32 for DHCP (166443)

SYMPTOMS

After you convert a Novell NetWare Client-32 for DOS/Windows to use DHCP, you receive the following error message on startup:

Warning: Interface is not configured.
Error binding TCP/IP protocols to 3C5X9.
Could not bind IP/ARP protocol stack to the board.

NOTE: The example above is for a 3Com 3c5x9 network adapter; the error message you receive may be slightly different.

CAUSE

As a static client, the Net.cfg file contained the following section:

PROTOCOL TCPIP
   BIND 3C5X9 1 ETHERNET_II interface_1
   IP_ADDRESS 130.57.4.126 interface_1
   IP_NETMASK 255.255.252.0 interface_1
   IP_ROUTER 130.57.4.254 interface_1

If you follow Novell's guidelines, your Net.cfg file will look like this:

PROTOCOL TCPIP
   BIND 3C5X9 1 ETHERNET_II interface_1
   IF_CONFIGURATION DHCP

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, remove the BIND statement from the Net.cfg file, so it contains the below statements:

   PROTOCOL TCPIP
      IF_CONFIGURATION DHCP

NOTE: The Startnet.bat file must contain the frame type ETHERNET_II

MORE INFORMATION

You must use the following file to use the following options:

   Tcpip.nlm   215222   1-27-97     10:10:34 PM

The updated file is part of Tcp32d.exe, dated 29 MAR 97, and can be downloaded from Novell's ftp site.

To add a Hostname to the DHCP client, the Net.cfg file should have the following:
```
      PROTOCOL TCPIP
         HOSTNAME <host_name>
					
```
To prevent the client from caching IP addresses, add the following entry to the Net.cfg file. This causes duplicate addresses on the network, if unable to contact DHCP server on startup.
```
      PROTOCOL TCPIP
         DHCPCACHEIP=NO
						
```
Therefore, the protocol TCP/IP section of the Net.cfg file would look like this:
```
      PROTOCOL TCPIP
         PATH TCP CFG C:\NOVELL\CLIENT32\TCP
         IF_CONFIGURATION DHCP
         HOSTNAME <host_name>
         DHCPCACHEIP=NO
					
```

The products discussed here are manufactured by Novell, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this products' performance or reliability.