XCON: RPC Fails Between Site Connectors When Servers Are Using IPX Only (295731)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 5.0
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5

This article was previously published under Q295731

SYMPTOMS

When you use site connectors or multiple servers in a site where Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX) is the only protocol that is used, if a Novell Bindery server does not exist, remote procedure call (RPC) fails between the two servers that are only using IPX.

Exchange Server RPC over Sequenced Packet Exchange (SPX) tries a getaddressbyname by using bindery lookup. This process fails because a Bindery server is not available; Service Advertising Protocol (SAP) lookup also fails because an SAP Agent is not present to respond.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use either of the following methods:
  • Enable Gateway Services for NetWare (GSNW) on the servers, and then make sure that you have a Netware server available that supports bindery functions. This method is the preferred method because bindery is more efficient than SAP.

    -or-
  • Install GSNW and the SAP Agent on both servers. This method is not the preferred method because SAP is essentially a broadcast. However, this method is the only method you can use if a Bindery server is not available.
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/25/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB295731