NWLNKIPX Sends Broadcast RIPX Packets Over the Network

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

NWLNKIPX sends the broadcast Routing Information Protocol over IPX (RIPX) packet over the network, even if a frame type and network number is selected manually.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the following fix or wait for the next Windows NT service pack.

This fix should have the following time stamp:

   01/05/98  07:00p                84,336 Nwlnkipx.sys (Intel)
   01/05/98  06:57p               155,920 Nwlnkipx.sys (Alpha)

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" online Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

1. Run Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

2. Go to the following key in the registry:

         HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
         \NwlnkIpx\Parameters
   

   NOTE: The above registry key is one path; it has been wrapped for readability.

3. On the Edit menu, click Add Value and use the following entry:

         Value Name: NoBcastRipRequest
         Data Type:  REG_Dword
         Value:      0 or 1
         Default:    0
   
         Description: This parameter determines if NWLNKIPX sends the
                      Broadcast RIPX packet during initialization. Set this
                      value to 1, if you do not want to send a Broadcast RIPX
                      packet during initialization.
   
   

4. Close Registry Editor.

5. Restart the computer for the registry change to take effect.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.

MORE INFORMATION

When NWLNKIPX starts, Routing Information Protocol over IPX (RIPX) broadcasts are sent to determine the frame type and network number. This RIPX packet is needed only if the auto-detect feature of NWLNKIPX is selected.