Can't access shares on NT server using IP address

[samesd]

We're on a Novell 4 network, having trouble connecting to an NT 4 SQL server. Some workstations (both Win2K and Win95) can connect to the server's shares by using the server name, but not the IP address. For instance, if they go to Start/Run and type \\servername\share, it comes up fine, but if they type \\10.1.2.200\share, it says it can't find the computer. You can ping using both, and when you ping by the name, it returns the correct IP address. We do not have a DNS or WINS server, and name resolution is done on the firewall (which unfortunately only the Network Admin has access to, and he claims there is an entry matching the server name to the IP address). The software was initially set up to look for the IP address, as our external locations couldn't resolve the name. If I search for it by the IP address, it comes up fine, but that could be because I'm set up as a user with Admin rights on the NT server.
Any help would be appreciated, as I support the NT servers here, and often have trouble resolving connection problems to NT servers in a Novell environment (All the NT servers are set up as stand-alone servers).

 

[dxd]

Have you tried...minimally as a test...to create and use a Lmhost file with an IP to netbios name mapping to see if it solves the problem.

From your description I would say the problem lies within the Browser services and database. I say this because you are able to ping both by IP and name...this would indicate there were no connectivity or name resolution problems.

There does seem to be problems correclating the Netbios name to the IP address and if you are not running WINS these mappings are not done automatically. That is basically what the Lmhost file will accomplish for you.

It is peculiar however to see the problem occuring the way you describe..most often it is the other way around. You can browse the IP but not the name.

You may want to try a net use command to see if you can map the share that way. "net use z: \\10.1.2.200\share"...although I think it uses the same functionality.

Doug
dxd_2000@yahoo.com

 

[dilettante]

Isn't your basic problem here NetWare?

What I'm getting at is that you may be using the NetWare Client over IPX/SPX. So sure, you can connect to a share by name using NetWare's services.

But NetWare isn't using TCP/IP even though you have TCP/IP on your machines too, is it? IP addresses are TCP/IP only (duh).

Can NetWare 4 even work over TCP/IP?

If so, check your network bindings and make sure NetWare's file/print sharing client ("Client Service for NetWare?&quot is bound to TCP/IP.

If not, well - you can't expect to use an IP address to see a Novell share then, can you?

I think DXD is assuming you are using Microsoft Networking. I don't think NetBIOS or WINS has any role in a NetWare environment unless you are using that NWLink "shim."

Isn't that what's "great" about IPX/SPX - it isn't routable?

Sorry, I won't claim to know much about Novell, just trying to help.