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| Accessing IPX Network from Windows XP |
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Problem: Some users running Windows XP and the Novell Client are unable to browse, attach to, or login to an IPX based network. An IPX network is typically used by Novell NetWare servers running NetWare 3.1x and NetWare 4.1x. It is possible to also have NetWare 5.x and NetWare 6.x servers that are configured with IPX. Therefore, this tutorial could potentially apply to any Novell server configuration. This tutorial would not apply if running NetWare 5.x and NetWare 6.x servers in an IP only environment.
ISSUE: There are two likely causes. First, you may not have IPX installed on the workstation. Second, the Windows XP system may not be correctly identifying the correct IPX network. This essentially makes it impossible to locate
any Novell services when relying on IPX. This problem seems to be more prevalent on laptop computers.
SOLUTION 1: The first solution is to install the latest Novell client, do a CUSTOM install, and make sure to choose "IP and IPX" during the process. The screen shot below demonstrates the setting that needs to be configured during the Novell Client installation routine:
Solution 2: If solution #1 doesn't fix the problem, it may be necessary to manually configure
IPX within the Networking Properties of the workstation to correctly identify
the IPX information. Before it can be manually configured, you need to know what to configure it with. The screen shots below demonstrate how to get the information and configure it on the Windows XP system.
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From the NetWare
Server Console, Type "CONFIG" to
identify the Frame
Type and NetWork Segment Number.
These values will be used to configure
the IPX component in the NetWare Client. |
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On the Windows XP Workstation,
open the Network Properties for the Local
Area Connection, and find:
"NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport
Protocol"
Click on Properties. |
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In general, The Internal NetWork
Number should always be "00000000" (eight
zeros).
The Frame type and Network number should
be configured so that it is the same as
the settings that were discovered from
the server console in the first step.
NOTE: By default, the frame type is set
to "Automatic" which seems to be
a problem with some workstations. Forcing
the frame type
manually has resolved the problem for myself
a number of times. |
Do you have a serious problem with your Novell systems? Marvin Huffaker Consulting can solve it. Contact us here.
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