Interoperability with NetWare
To connect a computer running Windows 2000 Professional to Novell NetWare servers, you need protocols and services that allow the two networking systems to communicate with each other. Windows 2000 Professional uses the Common Internet File System (CIFS) protocol for file and print services. CIFS is an enhanced version of the Microsoft Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. NetWare servers, however, use the NetWare Core Protocol (NCP) for file and print services.
For the two types of file and print services to communicate with each other, a client service or redirector and a network protocol are needed. A redirector or client makes remote files and printers available to the local computer. Installing a redirector on Windows 2000 Professional allows you to send and receive NCP packets by using NetWare servers.
A network protocol (NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol) and a redirector or client service (Client Service for NetWare) are provided with Windows 2000 Professional:
NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS-Compatible Transport Protocol NWLink is the Windows 2000 Professional 32-bit implementation of the Internetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet Exchange (IPX/SPX) protocol, which can be used to connect computers running Microsoft Windows 2000 to NetWare servers running IPX/SPX. NWLink also provides NetBIOS functionality.
NWLink can also be used to connect computers running Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Microsoft MS-DOS, as well as function as an alternative transport protocol for servers running Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server, and Microsoft SNA Server.
Client Service requires the NWLink protocol, which is installed with Client Service.
Client Service Client Service for NetWare works with NWLink to provide access to NetWare file, print, and directory services on NetWare servers running IPX/SPX. Client Service is installed on individual Windows 2000 Professional clients and provides direct access for each client to NetWare file, print, and directory services.
Figure 24.1 provides an illustrated example of Windows 2000 Professional communicating to a NetWare server through an NCP-based redirector. The computer running Windows 2000 Professional that is running a client service creates NCP protocol packets and passes them directly to the network. The packet is then picked up by the NetWare server.
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Figure 24.1 Client Redirectors for NetWare Access
Client Redirectors
You can install either Client Service for NetWare, or obtain and install the redirector from Novell, Novell Client for Windows 2000. Table 24.1 shows a comparison of both client redirectors.
Table 24.1 Comparison of Client Redirectors
Feature |
Microsoft Client Service for NetWare |
Novell Client for Windows 2000 |
|---|---|---|
Single logon and password for Windows 2000 and NetWare |
Yes |
Yes |
File and print services access on NetWare servers |
Yes |
Yes |
Protocols supported |
Requires IPX/SPX protocol on Windows 2000 Professional |
TCP/IP and IPX/SPX protocols |
NDS aware/compatible |
Authenticates user on nonbindery mode NDS servers |
Fully integrates with NDS applications, for example, Z.E.N. Works, Novell Distributed Print Services, and Novell Storage Management Services |
Supports NetWare/IP |
No |
No |
Supports NetWare administration utilities such as NWAdmin |
No |
Yes |
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Caution
Do not install both Client Service for NetWare and Novell Client for Windows 2000 on the same computer running Windows 2000 Professional.
Novell Client for Windows 2000 does not allow connectivity to a Windows 2000-based computer. Client for Microsoft Networks must also be installed for connectivity to a Windows 2000-based computer.
Gateway Redirectors
A third option is to install the redirector, Gateway Service for NetWare on a computer running Microsoft Windows 2000 Server. This allows Windows 2000 Server to act as a gateway or translator: Windows 2000 Server receives CIFS packets from Windows 2000 Professional and then translates them to NCP packets before sending them to the NetWare servers.
Through the gateway, multiple clients running Windows 2000 Professional, Microsoft Windows NT Workstation, Windows 98, Windows 95, and Microsoft Windows 3. x can access NetWare file and print services. Because the gateway provides a single access point to NetWare services, you do not need to install NetWare client software (such as Client Service) on each workstation. Gateway Service also supports direct access to NetWare services from the computer running Windows 2000 Server, just as Client Service supports direct access from the client computer.
Figure 24.2 illustrates a computer running Windows 2000 Professional that is communicating to a NetWare server through a computer running Windows 2000 Server with Gateway Service installed. The CIFS-based protocol traffic is translated to NCP protocol, which is then passed to the NetWare server.
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Figure 24.2 Server Redirector for NetWare Access
The capabilities of the Gateway Service redirector include the following:
Single login and password for Windows 2000 and NetWare.
File and print services access on NetWare servers.
Enables Windows 2000 Server to understand the NCP protocol. Acts as a gateway to allow CIFS-capable Windows clients to access NetWare servers.
Requires IPX/SPX protocol on Windows 2000 Server.
NDS awareness.
Caution
Do not install both Gateway Service for NetWare and Novell Client 32 on the same computer running Windows 2000 Server.