Using and Troubleshooting the TCP/IP Scope ID

Last reviewed: September 9, 1996
Article ID: Q138449
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11

SUMMARY

The Scope ID option in the TCP/IP configuration provides a way to isolate a group of computers that only communicate with each other. The Scope ID is a character string value that is appended to the NetBIOS name and is used for all NetBIOS over TCP/IP communications from that computer. Other computers that are configured with an identical Scope ID are able to communicate with this computer, while TCP/IP clients with a different Scope ID disregard packets from any other Scope ID.

MORE INFORMATION

In situations where troubleshooting TCP/IP connectivity is required, this value should be checked on both the client and the server (or client to client) computers to ensure that the Scope ID is identical. For example, when a domain logon is attempted from a client computer, the Scope ID is appended to the name of the domain as it is broadcast, and only domain controllers listening for the same Scope ID are able to respond to the request.

Additionally, the Scope ID is case-sensitive, so computers configured with the Scope ID "scope" attempting to communicate with computers with Scope ID "SCOPE" will be unable to communicate via NetBIOS over TCP/IP.

For Microsoft Windows 95, the Scope ID configuration can be found on the "WINS Configuration" tab in the properties for TCP/IP in the Network section of Control Panel. In Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT, this can be configured from the Advanced options in the TCP/IP configuration dialog box in the Networks section of Control Panel.

NOTE: You can still have non-NetBIOS communication with a computer with a different scope id. Thus, you are able to ping, but error 53 appears (network name not found) if you attempted to use NET VIEW to view the computer.


KBCategory: kbnetwork kbhowto
KBSubCategory: nttcp ntconfig
Additional reference words: prodtcp 95 3.10 3.11 3.50 3.51 net use
validation communication handshake



THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: September 9, 1996
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.