offline folders - unable to map by name

[AnyBody43]

Hi,

Offline folders - unable to map by name
but NOT a name lookup issue.

I was investigating a problem where a user was unable to map drives by
name when connected via dial up and VPN.

Basic configuration:
XP on laptop
2000 Server (clustered but who cares?)
Checkpoint firewall
Checkpoint SecuRemote client
Relevant names in "hosts" file

We use this basic configuration quite a bit.

Also:
Offline folders were enabled globally on the laptop


The user does a domain login to the laptop with no initial
network connection, dials up to the internet and authenticates
the VPN.

All OK so far.

Now lets map some drives.

We use a wee batch file in the event that windows 'forgets'
the drives.

It does
net time /set

net use h: \\server1\user-home /user:xxx password
net use s: \\server1\shared


I did not get my verbatim error reports off of the PC (sorry)
but the "net time ..." returned a 2141 error. "The server is
not configured for transactions"

The "Net use ..." return 53 error "network path not found".


I am a network person and network tests indicated that
network was OK. Name lookup was OK.


"net use" said that h: was mapped 'offline' to
\\server1\user-home

_NOW the REALLY STRANGE bit_

net view \\server1

returns only

\\server1\user-home h:


net view \\192.168.1.9

returns all shares correctly.



Network details:
Ping to server by address over VPN works
ping to server by name opver VPN works

In all cases ping -a shows correct address-name mapping.


_The FIX_
Turning off the global "Offline Folders" thing fixed it.
i.e. WindowsExplorer/Menu/Tools/FolderOptions/OfflineFiles/
EnableOfflineFiles/UNCHECKED


Can anyone please explain what is going on here?

Is it "Correct" behaviour or is it broken?

I have noticed that the default setting is that XP assumes
that the network is "Not Connected" unless connected at more
than 64kbps. We were on a lower speed connection than this.
Nominal 56k dial up that achieved 44kbps.

Surely this should not cause a whole server to be "offline"
such that net view fails? (and net time!)


Thanks.

 

[Jeffrey Randow (MVP)]

If no one else answers here, try posting this to the networking
newsgroup... I'm pondering the issue right now...

Jeffrey Randow (Windows Net. & Smart Display MVP)
(e-mail address removed)

Please post all responses to the newsgroups for the benefit
of all USENET users. Messages sent via email may or may not
be answered depending on time availability....

Remote Networking Technology Support Site -
http://www.remotenetworktechnology.com
Smart Display Support - http://www.smartdisplays.net
Windows XP Expert Zone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

 

[AnyBody43]

"Jeffrey Randow (MVP)" <[email protected]>
wrote
If no one else answers here, try posting this to the networking

newsgroup... I'm pondering the issue right now...

Jeffrey,

Is there a particular "networking" newsgroup that you could recommend.
I have had a look around and can not identify a suitable one.

I have noticed a couple of things in my original post that were
not perhaps as clear as they might be.

hosts file segment:
192.168.1.9 server1

I have noticed that the default setting is that XP assumes
that the network is "Not Connected" unless connected at more
than 64kbps. We were on a lower speed connection than this.
Nominal 56k dial up that achieved 44kbps.

Is better as:
I have noticed that the default setting is that for the
purposes of Offline Folders XP assumes that the network is
'Offline' unless connected at more than 64kbps. We were on
a lower speed connection than this. Nominal 56k dial up
that achieved 44kbps.

I plan today to re-visit the problem to see if it can be
reproduced.

Thanks.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Have you seen KB 290523 ?

 

[AnyBody43]

Have you seen KB 290523 ?

KB 290523 says with respect to my issue:

"This behaviour is by design."

I am disappointed that I did not find it myself but I haven't
done all that much Microsoft work.

Thanks a lot.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

This is yet another reason I avoid Offline Files - see www.centered.com and
check out Second Copy 2000 - it's cheap and works. They have a 30 day eval
available for download.

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

Have you seen KB 290523 ?

KB 290523 says with respect to my issue:

"This behaviour is by design."

I am disappointed that I did not find it myself but I haven't
done all that much Microsoft work.

Thanks a lot.

 

[Jeffrey Randow (MVP)]

microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web

Jeffrey Randow (Windows Net. & Smart Display MVP)
(e-mail address removed)

Please post all responses to the newsgroups for the benefit
of all USENET users. Messages sent via email may or may not
be answered depending on time availability....

Remote Networking Technology Support Site -
http://www.remotenetworktechnology.com
Smart Display Support - http://www.smartdisplays.net
Windows XP Expert Zone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone