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SUMMARY
Windows NT and Microsoft LAN Manager Remote Access Service (RAS) can
provide access to remote clients as if they were on the local area
network (LAN). If you enable full RemoteListen functionality, all
systems on the LAN can access the RAS client just as if it were
locally connected. The following features are supported: IPC, mail
slots, RPC, named pipes, and NBF/NetBEUI. This article is divided into
two sections:
- RemoteListen Functionality
- Enabling RemoteListen
RemoteListen Functionality
Beyond simply connecting to and accessing a remote client, these other
mechanisms function over RAS: IPC, mail slots, RPC (Windows NT), named
pipes, and NBF\NetBEUI. The following information describes the
functionality of the three different settings for RemoteListen:
Note: You can only set RemoteListen for the RAS server. You cannot
specify different configurations for different clients.
All
LAN Manager: messages = all
Windows NT: RemoteListen = 2
The RAS Server posts an NCB_Listen network control block (NCB) for all
client NetBIOS names on each protocol bound to the RAS server.
Under LAN Manager, each client has an average of five NetBIOS names.
This equates to 80 names per protocol (16 ports x 5 names = 80). To
support this many names, you need to modify the MaxNames parameter for
RAS and the Names parameter for each protocol that you are using on
the RAS server.
Under Windows NT, clients have an average of seven to eight names, and
the RAS Server can support up to 64 ports. This results in an even
more significant drain on resources than under LAN Manager.
Messages
LAN Manager: messages = messages
Windows NT: RemoteListen = 1
The default for RemoteListen is set to Messages. This instructs the
RAS server to post only the Messenger service-related NetBIOS names
for the client. This allows them to receive things like print
notifications and NET SEND commands. This does not allow another LAN
workstation to create a network session with the remote client as in
the case of a NET USE command.
None
LAN Manager: messages = none
Windows NT: RemoteListen = 0
This option instructs the server to not post any NCB_Listens for
client NetBIOS names. This reduces the resources consumed and the
connect time. If you are not concerned with any of the previously
mentioned functionality, this is the best setting to use.
Enabling RemoteListen
To enable RemoteListen, add or modify the RemoteListen parameter:
For LAN Manager
- Open the LANMAN.INI file on the RAS server in a text editor.
- Find the [RemoteAccess] section and add the following line:
remotelisten = <all, messages, or none>
For more information, see the LAN Manager "RAS Administrator's Guide."
For Windows NT or Windows NT Advanced Server
- Start Registry Editor and go to the following subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
\RemoteAccess\Parameters\NetBIOSGateway
- If you can find a RemoteListen key, choose Edit Value from the Edit
menu and change the value to 2. If there is no RemoteListen key,
choose Add Key from the Edit menu and use the following
information:
Value Name: RemoteListen
Data Type: REG_DWORD
Value: <0, 1, or 2>
For more information, see Windows NT "RAS Administrator's Guide"