Communication Fails with NWLink and Even Length Packets

• Microsoft NWLINK and NWNBLINK
• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11

SYMPTOMS

When a workstation is configured to use the NWLink and NWNBLink, IPX/SPX compatible transport with NetBIOS, communication may fail with a remote site when IPX even length packets usage is forced.

When you attempt to logon to a Microsoft network domain, the following error may appear:

   The password you specified is incorrect or your account is inactive. See
   your network administrator for the password or to activate your account.

   Error 55: The resource does not exist on the network

CAUSE

By using the optional parameter, EVEN_PACKETS=YES, in the [NWLINK] section of PROTOCOL.INI, you can force the protocol stack to always send even length packets. Basically this parameter is never needed, because nearly all IPX environments can cooperate with the default setting used by the NWLink transport stack. Only in older environments, where the remote site still needs communication via IPX packets of even length, is this enforcement necessary. Enabling this parameter also forces the transport stack to use 802.3 packets, instead of a selectable packet type.

WORKAROUND

Disable the enforcement of even length packets by removing the EVEN_PACKETS=YES parameter from PROTOCOL.INI. All transport parameters can be modified using the Network portion of Control Panel. Select the "IPX/SPX Compatible Transport with NetBIOS" and then choose Setup. Change the value of Force Even Length IPX Packets to no in the Advanced Protocol Settings dialog box.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows for Workgroups 3.11. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.