Client Cannot Access Dfs Link Target If Share and Fault Tolerant Dfs Root Names Differ (326070)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q326070

SYMPTOMS

The Directory Service Client for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows 98 Second Edition may not be able to connect to a Distributed File System (Dfs) link. This problem may occur if the link is hosted on a fault tolerant root (FT root) replica whose Dfs name is different from the host share name. This includes share names that are exactly the same as the root name, but are hidden (with a '$' character appended). For error message details, see the "More Information" section of this article.

For example, the DS Client cannot connect to a Dfs path in an FT root configuration such as the following (notice the FT root name and host share values): 

FT Root name:     \\domainname\ftroot
FT Root Replica:  \\replicaserver\sharename
DFS Link name:      linkname
DFS Path:         \\domainname\ftroot\linkname
Link Target:      \\server\sharename

The following configuration works properly; notice the FT root name and host share values: 

FT Root name:     \\domainname\ftroot
FT Root Replica:  \\replicaserver\ftroot
DFS Link name:      linkname
DFS Path:         \\domainname\ftroot\linkname
Link Target:      \\server\sharename

Dfs stand-alone root names always match the underlying host server share name.

CAUSE

This is a limitation of the Windows 95 and Windows 98 DS Client, and does not apply to the Microsoft Windows NT DS Client, Microsoft Windows 2000, or Microsoft Windows XP.

RESOLUTION

This behavior is by design.

WORKAROUND

When you create a domain Dfs root (FT root) or add a root replica to an existing FT Root, allow the Dfs root name to remain the same as the selected share name.

For existing FT roots, delete the root replicas that have mismatched share names (or root, if only one replica exists). Create them again, by using the share name.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

If you click Run on the Start menu, and then type a link path of the form \\domainname\ftroot\linkname, you receive the following error message:
Cannot find the file '\\domainname\ftroot\linkname' (or one of its
components. Make sure the path and file name are correct and that all
required libraries are available.
If you try to map a drive to \\domainname\ftroot\linkname by using Network Neighborhood, you receive the following error message:
Drive: is not accessible.
File system error (13545).
If you try to map a drive to \\domainname\ftroot\linkname at a command prompt, you receive the following error message:
Error 50: You attempted an operation that cannot be performed from your computer or that is not supported on the specified server. Make sure you are using the correct server for the command or task that you want to perform. If the problem persists, contact your network administrator.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/15/2006
Keywords:kbprb kbQFE KB326070
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