KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q154411: SMS Err Msg: Unable to Initialize IPX Protocol

Article: Q154411
Product(s): Microsoft Systems Management Server
Version(s): winnt:1.2
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbtshoot smsremtshoot kbRemoteProg
Last Modified: 31-JUL-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Systems Management Server version 1.2 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SYMPTOMS
========

When you attempt to run the Remote Control Agent on a Windows 95 client computer
using NetWare 3.1x or NetWare 4.x as the primary logon network and the Windows
95 Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks driver, you may receive the following
error message:

  Unable to initialize IPX protocol

CAUSE
=====

Systems Management Server 1.2 creates a Domain.ini file on the NetWare logon
servers. The Domain.ini file includes the following section:

  [SIGHT]
  Allow Takeover=No
  Allow Reboot=No
  Allow File Transfer=No
  Allow Chat=No
  Allow Remote Execute=No
  Visible Signal=Yes
  Audible Signal=Yes
  Allow Ping Test=No
  Allow DOS Diagnostics=No
  Allow Windows Diagnostics=No
  Permission Required=Yes
  Default Protocol=IPX
  LANANUM=0
  InstallWin16RCTsr=1

The Domain.ini file is used to create the Sms.ini file on the client computer.
The Remote Control Agent configuration is stored in the [SIGHT] section of the
Sms.ini file. The default protocol for a NetWare client is configured to be IPX.
The Microsoft IPX/SPX-compatible protocol for Windows 95 clients is NWLINK$.
When the Remote Control Agent starts, it attempts to use IPX instead of NWLINK$,
which generates the error message.

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this behavior do one of the following:

- Use the NetWare network drivers for Windows 95.

-or-

- Install TCP/IP on the Windows 95 clients. Change the default protocol for
  remote control to TCP/IP in the Systems Management Server registry. Changing
  the default remote control protocol for Windows clients is documented in the
  Systems Management Server 1.2 "Administrator's Guide" on pages 168-170.

STATUS
======

This behavior is by product design.

Additional query words: prodsms win95 remote

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbtshoot smsremtshoot kbRemoteProg 
Technology        : kbSMSSearch kbSMS120
Version           : winnt:1.2
Issue type        : kbprb
Solution Type     : kbnofix

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.