The Win32 Version of RSH Reports "Option t Is Not Valid" to Rcp Clients (323719)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Services for UNIX 2.0
  • Microsoft Windows Services for UNIX 2.1 OEM Only
  • Microsoft Windows Services for UNIX 2.2 OEM Only
  • Microsoft Windows Services for UNIX 2.3 OEM Only
  • Microsoft Windows Services for UNIX 3.0
This article was previously published under Q323719

SYMPTOMS

When you run an rcp command from a UNIX/Linux client to the Windows Services for UNIX RSH service, you may receive the following error message:
Example:
$ rcp testfile winsvr2k:/
Option t is not valid.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because of an incompatibility between the UNIX rcp command and the Windows rcp.exe command. If the destination file is on a remote computer, the UNIX rcp starts rcp -t on the remote computer and sends the file. The "-t" option tells the remote rcp to start up in receive mode and wait for the incoming file. Windows rcp.exe has a different method of transferring files between computers, so it does not support the "-t" option.

RESOLUTION

The Interix version of rcp supports the "-t" option. To cause that version to be invoked, you have to use the Interix version of rshd daemon instead of the Windows Remote Shell service. The Interix rshd calls the Interix rcp, but the Windows Remote Shell service calls the Windows rcp.exe.

MORE INFORMATION

To configure the Interix version of rshd under SFU 3.0:
  1. Turn off the Remote Shell Service. To do so:
    • Microsoft Windows NT 4.0: In Control Panel, double-click Services, stop the Remote Shell Service, and then disable it.
    • Microsoft Windows 2000 or Microsoft Windows XP: In Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, double-click Services, stop the Remote Shell Service, and then disable it.
  2. Start an Interix command shell such as the C or Korn shell.
  3. Edit the Etc/Inetd.conf file to turn on the Interix version of rshd by removing the number sign (#) from the following line:

    #shell stream tcp nowait NULL /usr/sbin/in.rshd in.rshd -a

  4. Restart the computer.
  5. After you get inetd running as a daemon by editing Inetd.conf, you have to edit the Etc/Hosts.equiv file by using a C or Korn shell, because it replaces the %Systemroot%\System32\Drivers\Etc\.rhosts file that is used with the Win32 version of RSHSVC. This file will have the same format as the .rhosts file. Please note that this file does not support the + + construct and you must populate it with the specific hosts and users.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/23/2003
Keywords:kbprb KB323719
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.