Shared Folders Connections Fail Using Same User ID with Different Passwords

ID: Q243388

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft SNA Server, versions 3.0 (all SP), 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2, 4.0 SP3

SYMPTOMS

Shared Folders connections fail when two or more AS/400 definitions use the same User ID, but different passwords. When attempting to connect to a folder definition on one of the AS/400s, customers may receive the following error message:

X:\ is not accessible.
While accessing the hard disk, a disk operation failed even after retries.

CAUSE

The Shared Folders gateway service stores only one instance of the User ID and password. Because of this, one password is used for all AS/400 definitions with the same User ID. This results in security violations, which can be seen in a Shared Folders Gateway API trace.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix that corrects this problem is now available from Microsoft, but it has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. If you are not severely affected by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Microsoft SNA Server version 4.0 service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

File name	Date	Time
Sfgw.exe	10/25/99	10:31

NOTE: Because of file dependencies, the most recent fix that contains the above files may also contain additional files.

WORKAROUND

This problem only affects two or more AS/400 definitions using the same User ID, but different passwords. Customers can avoid this problem by using a unique User ID for each AS/400 definition, or by using the same User ID and same password for each AS/400 definition.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft SNA Server version 4.0.

MORE INFORMATION

The Shared Folders gateway service should be stopped before applying this fix, and then restarted after the fix has been successfully applied.

Additional query words:

Keywords : sna3 sna3sp1 sna3sp2 sna3sp3 sna3sp4 sna4 sna4sp1 sna4sp2 sna4sp3
Version : WINDOWS:3.0 (all SP),4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbbug