CSNW May Connect to Multiple Servers When Logging On to NDS Tree

ID: Q219345

The information in this article applies to:

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

When you configure Microsoft Gateway (and Client) Services for NetWare (GSNW/CSNW) to use the Default Tree and Context logon option, your computer may connect to multiple servers in different contexts.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when you log on through a Novell NetWare Directory Services (NDS) tree containing more than one NetWare server. You may not be able to establish a connection to the server that responds to the GSNW/CSNW client's GetNearestServer (GNS) request. It is possible to use a connection to one server for authentication and logon, while using other licensed connections to other servers for mapped resources. This may create redundant licensed connections to multiple servers and has the potential to more than double the required number of licensed connections.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, apply the hotfix listed below to your computer. This fix allows you to specify which server you run your authentication credentials against, giving you the ability to use the same computer for authentication and resource usage.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. 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" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

Then perform the following steps to modify the Windows NT registry:

Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

On the Windows menu, click HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE on Local Machine.

Double-click \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NWCWorkstation\ Parameters\Option\user's sid.

Double-click NDSPreferredServer, type the name of the preferred NetWare server to log on to for your default connection to the Novell network, and then click OK.

Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

NOTE: This setting is not available for use until the GSNW/CSNW user profile has been created after the first logon using CSNW.

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT Server 4.0. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT version 4.0 Service Pack 5.

Additional query words:

Keywords : nt4sp5fix
Version : winnt:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug