NT RAS Client with TCP/IP Alone Cannot Browse the Network (126420)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
This article was previously published under Q126420

SYMPTOMS

You cannot remotely browse the Microsoft Windows Network with a Windows NT version 3.5 or 3.51 Remote Access Service (RAS) client running only the TCP/IP network protocol.

WORKAROUND

Ensure that the workgroup name or domain name on the RAS client computer is the same as the domain name of the NT RAS server. Also, you must ensure that one of the following two conditions is met:

  1. You have configured the RAS client to use NetBEUI for the RAS connection,

    or
  2. You have installed the Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) on the RAS server or another server in the RAS server's domain, and your RAS client registers with the WINS server.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT versions 3.5 and 3.51. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Using one of the two workarounds specified above is the only way you can ensure browsing will take place correctly if your RAS client is configured to use TCP/IP over the RAS connection. You cannot reliably use File Manager to browse the RAS server or the remote Microsoft Windows Network by trying either of these two methods:

  1. Configuring the clients' RAS PPP connection to use IPX in addition to TCP/IP.
  2. Configuring a valid LMHOSTS file on the RAS client that resolves the server's IP address.
Adding IPX to the RAS client's PPP configuration will allow you to browse a remote NetWare or NetWare-compatible network on the RAS server's LAN, but will not ensure that a RAS client running TCP/IP will be able to browse a remote Microsoft Windows network.

Remember that if your RAS server is also the WINS server, you will need to identify the primary WINS server with the RAS server's own IP address. To make this setting in Windows NT, open Control Panel, and in the Network Settings dialog box, use the Configure button for the TCP/IP Protocol.

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

148154: RAS Client Cannot Browse RAS Server With IPX Only

149907: Browsing a Remote Network From a Client Using Only TCP/IP

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/15/2003
Keywords:KB126420
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.