Server 2003 CNAME/Sharename issue

[longlivegoku]

We have an odd problem on our hands. We have a file server within our 2003 domain that serves most user files. Every once in a while a user will have issues connecting to one of the servers sharenames we have setup for the server. Instead of correctly seeing their folder, it comes up with a blank explorer screen. If they reboot, it sometimes resolves the issue. All client machines are Windows XP SP3. This problem has existed for a while now so I don't see it as being related to any updates applied in the recent past.

The other part of this issue is that when browsing this server, if you type in a wrong path, it will still "open" the folder. For example, if we try to browse \\servername\home$ but instead accidentally type in \\servername\hom$, it will still open up a window but have a blank folder.

I've found nothing on this issue and am beginning to think some software we have installed is causing the issue. Currently we have Sharepoint 3.0, CA Brightstor backup Manager/Open File Agent/Windows agent, ADP, and SecurePath (for multi connection to our SAN) installed. This happens on only this server and we have never seen the issue elsewhere. Sharepoint, ADP and the CA OFA are the only unique software.

Any ideas on how to go about troubleshooting this or what the issue might be?

Thanks.

Ed

 

[PScottC]

Have you run wireshark to determine if the client is trying to connect to a CIFS share vs. a Web port (80)? Since SharePoint is on the box, the client could be trying to connect to the web server. IE and Explorer are heavily integrated.

PSC

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