Novell login / DHCP Issue

[iangh2]

Hi

We have an issue at one location where users cannot logon from the CTRL-Alt-DEL screen and get the Tree cannot be found response. However if the user logs on Workstation only they get an IP address and can then do a Novell login afterwards without any problem. The problem is intermittent and only at this site:

We are using Xp laptops on SP2
Novell client 4.91 SP1

At this location the DHCP is given out by a Cisco 3750 router whereas everywhere else the DHCP is from Novell. We are also running vlans on Cisco kit at this location which we don't use elsewhere.

Anyone know what could be causing the intermittent login problem?

Thanks in advance

 

[terry712]

have you configed the autoipconfiguration in the registry
ie if xp cant see the dhcp server it first issues a 169 and then issues the proper address - you will see this in logs

is the slp ok

routers shouldnt be a problem
i would be inclined though to put a helper on the router and still issue from netware

 

[LawnBoy]

Marvin and I recently discussed "the Cisco issue" in this thread, it may help:

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1270057&page=1

 

[TheLad]

If you type in the Server's IP Address into the Server field on the NetWare Client (under Advanced if memory serves), do you still get the same issue with logging in?

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"Insert funny comment in here!"
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[marvhuffaker]

This could be an SLP issue..

Novell's implementation of DHCP will EASILY hand out the necessary SLP parameters to the workstations.

With non-Novell implementations such as Cisco, you STILL need to get this information to the workstations, it's just a little harder to setup.

The idea is the same either way. You need to push DHCP options 78 and 79 out to the workstations along with the IP address. Options 78 and 79 should provide the workstation with the scope and ip address of the SLP Directory Agent.



Marvin Huffaker, MCNE

http://www.redjuju.com

 

[iangh2]

Guys

Thanks for your help so far.

My Novell servers at other sites are not configured to push out options 78 & 79 for SLP on receiving DHCP requests.

Do the SLP options 78 & 79 get bundled in with Novell client/server interactions but would have to be specified for Novell client/other DHCP servers?

Thanks

 

[marvhuffaker]

Options 78 & 79 have nothing to do with the Novell client. They are part of the standard DHCP packet. It's just that other DHCP implementations aren't as Novell friendly.

Before going to a lot of work trying to get DHCP to work with your Cisco, you can configure the SLP options manually as a test to see if that resolves your problem.

Right click the Red N on the taskbar, Properties, Service Location. Put the IP address of your SLP DA (the server running the SLPDA.NLM modul) into the 'Directory Agent List' field. Reboot and see if it works better.

Also we're assuming you have SLP setup correctly in your network. A lot of people do not. It's an important, but often overlooked service.



Marvin Huffaker, MCNE

http://www.redjuju.com