"The Specified Name Is Already in Use..." Error Message When You Attempt to Install Microsoft Cluster Server (257920)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
This article was previously published under Q257920

SYMPTOMS

When you try to install a Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) server, you may receive the following error message:
The specified name is already in use on this network. You must enter a unique cluster name.
Note that you may receive this error message even though you are using a unique cluster name.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if the NetBIOS interface has been removed from the MSCS server.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, add the NetBIOS Interface to your MSCS server, and then disable the NetBIOS Interface on the "heartbeat" network adapter:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network.
  2. Click the Services tab, click Add, click NetBIOS Interface, click OK, click Close, and then click No when prompted to restart your computer.
  3. Apply the latest service pack previously installed on your computer, and then restart your computer.
  4. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network.
  5. Click the Bindings tab, click All Adapters in the Show Bindings for box, and then double-click the "heartbeat" network adapter.
  6. Double-click WINS Client (TCP/IP), click NetBIOS Interface, click Disable, and then click OK.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

If you perform multiple rebinds on the MSCS server, the bindings may not work properly. In this case, you may need to remove and then reinstall the Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) protocol. For additional information about how to remove and then reinstall TCP/IP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

151237 Error Message When Installing TCP/IP or Adding TCP/IP Service

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/5/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB257920
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