PC Ext: Using External with Novell and Windows NT Postoffices

 Last reviewed: April 22, 1996
Article ID: Q126718
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, versions 3.2 and 3.2a

SUMMARY

For the Microsoft Mail for PC Networks External (MTA) program to transfer mail between postoffices a network drive must be connected to each postoffice from the workstation that will be running the EXTERNAL.EXE program. This article describes the software needed and how to set up the operating system to have the External program process mail on both a Novell NetWare server and Microsoft Windows NT or Microsoft LAN Manager servers.

MORE INFORMATION

NetWare workstations communicate with the NetWare server using NetWare Core Protocol (NCP) packets and Microsoft network workstations (LAN Manager, Windows for Workgroups, and NT workstation) communicate with Windows NT or LAN Manager servers using Server Message Blocks (SMBs). For this reason one workstation with a single protocol and redirector cannot connect to both types of servers, unless a workstation can be configured for dual protocols and redirectors.

Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 or Workgroup Add-On for MS- DOS version 3.11 provides a Microsoft Windows Network by default. Novell NetWare can be added for dual protocol/redirector configuration. After a proper installation, a drive letter can be assigned to a Windows NT or LAN Manager server, and a drive letter mapped to a Novell NetWare server. The Microsoft Mail EXTERNAL.EXE (MTA) can then use the two drive letters for transferring and delivering mail.

NOTE: Microsoft network workstation is a native protocol/redirector for Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS, so you only need to add Novell NetWare to have dual connectivity.

To add Novell NetWare support for Windows for Workgroups 3.11:

  1. Select the Network Setup icon in the Network program manager group.

  2. Choose Network, and select Other to install Windows Support for Additional Networks.

  3. Select Novell NetWare (Workstation Shell 3.x) or Novell NetWare (Workstation Shell 4.x) depending on if you are using NETX.EXE or VLM.EXE.

  4. Setup will prompt for Novell files NOT included with Windows for Workgroups 3.11. Novell makes these files available on its bulletin board service (BBS) and in the Novell CompuServe forum (GO NOVFILES).

    The current filenames are WINDR2.EXE and NWDLL2.EXE. However, it may change from time to time. Contact your Novell service person or the Novell CompuServe forum for more information on availability.

NOTE: If you use NETX.EXE, a LastDrive=P will be placed in your CONFIG.SYS. If you use VLM.EXE, the LastDrive will equal Z.

When LastDrive is set to P: NetWare drives are Q: through Z:, but local MS- DOS drive letters can be remapped to NetWare drives. For example, if a Windows NT or LAN Manager server is connected using 

   NET USE M: \\Server\Share
where the Novell drive N: can then be mapped to MAP N:=SYS:MAILDATA. EXTERNAL.EXE can now be executed with a -DMN to service these two postoffices.

NOTE: Once installed you should not attempt to run EXTERNAL.EXE from a MS-DOS prompt while in Windows. Instead you should boot the computer and start the network with a NET START BASIC command. Establish (NET USE or MAP) the postoffice drive letters, and execute EXTERNAL.EXE.

To add Novell NetWare support for Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS 3.11:

  • Run the SETUP program from floppy diskette while logged into your Novell Network.

    This will provide you the Microsoft network protocol/redirector, while keeping your Novell NetWare configuration.

Additional reference words: 3.20 3.20a
KBCategory: kbenv kbnetwork
KBSubcategory: MailPCExt

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Last reviewed: April 22, 1996
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