WFWG 3.11: Real-Mode Redirector and Direct Hosting (107996)

SYMPTOMS

If Windows for Workgroups 3.11 has been configured to provide Novell NetWare connectivity and you try to connect to a Windows for Workgroups 3.1, 3.11, or Windows NT 3.1 server with the real-mode redirector, the following error may occur:

Error 53: The computer name specified in the network path cannot be located.

This error may occur when you run a NET USE or NET VIEW command with the Windows for Workgroups 3.11 real-mode redirector. This error may also occur when you are using the real-mode redirector even though no error occurs when you are connected to the same servers from within Windows for Workgroups 3.11 while using the protected-mode redirector.

CAUSE

When Windows for Workgroups 3.11 is configured to provide Novell NetWare connectivity, the real-mode redirector uses the IPX transport provided by the Novell NetWare IPXODI driver.

A relationship called direct hosting is formed between the real-mode redirector and the IPX transport. Direct hosting allows data to be transferred between these two layers without requiring the presence of a NetBIOS interface.

Under this configuration, you cannot use the real-mode redirector to access a server unless the server is running an IPX/SPX compatible transport.

RESOLUTION

With this configuration, a Windows for Workgroups 3.11 server must be configured to use the IPX/SPX Compatible Transport or IPX/SPX Compatible Transport with NetBIOS to be accessible by the real-mode redirector.

There is no resolution available for a Windows NT server because the NWLink IPX/SPX Compatible Transport provided with Windows NT requires a NetBIOS interface that is not provided by the real-mode redirector in Windows for Workgroups when a direct-hosting relationship exists.

MORE INFORMATION

When you are using Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11 in a Novell NetWare environment, you can install support for Novell NetWare connectivity in addition to the Microsoft Windows Network.

To install support for Novell NetWare connectivity, select Novell NetWare (Workstation Shell) as an additional network in the Networks dialog box of Network Setup. This support also requires selecting one of the following drivers from the Network Driver dialog box of Network Setup:

IPXODI Support Driver (ArcNet)
IPXODI Support Driver (Ethernet)
IPXODI Support Driver (Token Ring)

This configuration allows Windows for Workgroups 3.11 to enable Novell NetWare connectivity by interfacing with the IPX transport contained in the Novell NetWare ODI drivers.

When you use this configuration with the Windows for Workgroups real-mode redirector to connect to Windows for Workgroups servers, one of the following protocol drivers should be selected in the Network Drivers dialog box of Network Setup on the Windows for Workgroups server machine.

IPX/SPX Compatible Transport

-or-

IPX/SPX Compatible Transport with NetBIOS

Installing one of these IPX/SPX compatible transports enables the real-mode redirector to connect to the Windows for Workgroups server.