Connection from a DOS-system to an NT4 Server

A DOS-based system can connect to a Windows95 or WindowsNT4 Workstation or a Windows NT server using the "Microsoft Network Client 3.0".

To setup a connection, download from the Microsoft FTP-server:
ftp.microsoft.com in the directory /bussys/clients/MSCLIENT.the files:
"DSK3-1.EXE"
"DSK3-2.EXE"
( these files can also be found on the NT4-server CD-ROM under \CLIENTS\MSCLIENT)

The files are Self-extracting, copy all extracted files to 2 floppies, but for an installation on a system WITHOUT Windows 3.1, only floppy #1 is required,
you will need the floppy#2 for installation of TCP/IP.

These SETUP-disks have not been updated by Microsoft with drivers for
new Network-boards, you have yourself to Update Network Client 3.0 with new Drivers.

Sample installation (using a 3COM EtherLink III 3C509 at IRQ=10 and port=320) using NetBEUI protocol (I have also documented the differences
on installing the DOS-client using TCP/IP protocol and for creating a DOS-Network
Bootable Floppy disk):

Start the setup from floppy (in some cases it "hangs", try then from C:\ to run A:SETUP)

Press "ENTER" to continue.

By default, the setup-procedure will copy the Network-files into the C:\NET-directory.
Press ENTER to continue

It should only take a few seconds for this test (if it takes longer, try to run setup from C:\)

If the system cannot detect itself the type of the network-board,
you will be prompted to define the Network-board:

(if your network-board is NOT in this list, then exit now [F3] and first Update Network Client 3.0 with the new Network-board Driver, then start the SETUP again).

Depending, on whether the CONFIG.SYS contains the "FILES=" statement, you may get:

Press ENTER to accept the change.

You are then required to define the computer-name:

The summary screen is displayed:

Check under "Change Names":

and correct it to your "Workgroup-Name" or "Domain-Name".

This Network-Client can be used for "Workgroup"-networking to Windows95,
WindowsNT4 Workstation and WindowsNT4 Workgroup-Server:

When connecting to a Windows NT4 Domain-Server, you need to define the Domain-name:

Note: This option is not available, if the Network-Client is configured for the Basic-Redirector (see below for details).

Then, check the "Setup-Options":
For "Workgroup"-networking, change to use the "Basic Redirector" (to save memory):

When connecting to a Windows NT Domain-Server, you MUST change the "Logon Validation" to "Logon to Domain", which forces to use the "Full Redirector":

Check under "Change Network Configuration":
Check under "Change Settings" for the proper Port-address and IRQ:

Select "Change Network Configuration":

If required, use the option "Add Protocol" to add the "NetBEUI"-protocol.
When using TCP/IP, please follow the TCP/IP configuration guide.

Both protocols are now loaded:

To save (valuable DOS)memory, delete any unnecessary protocol:
Press the TAB-key to switch the windows and select the protocol to delete:

Press the TAB-key again to switch back to the "Options"-windows and select the line "Remove" to delete this protocol:

A last check, that the network is defined properly:

then let the system continue with the installation / copying of the files:

Once all files are copied, you are asked to reboot:

Like usual, I suggest NOT to reboot, but to press F3 to first check the installation by viewing AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS:

This is fine, so reboot:

The network is activated, you are login by entering your Username or confirming
the use of the computer-name as login-name.
Use then the NET USE-command to map a network drive to a resource on a Windows95
or Windows NT4 workstation or server, for which this system has valid access permissions:
NET USE <drive>: \\<servername>\<sharename>
Example: mapping drive F: to the system "NTSERVER" and the shared item "DATA":

This Microsoft network driver uses a lot of CPU memory:
80 Kbytes on using the "Basic Redirector"
170 Kbytes on using the "Full Redirector"

Some Memory optimization is required in AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS
(to take advantage of HIMEM.SYS / EMM386.EXE and DOS=HIGH,UMB)
by loading some driver into UMB (Upper Memory Blocks).
Note: such memory optimization requires a 386 or better CPU !
Note: memory optimizations and the use of the I-parameter on the EMM386.EXE can
vary depending on the PC-model and other installed components.
:

This makes more DOS-memory available:

There should now be sufficient DOS-memory to run most DOS-software:

If there is NOT sufficient DOS-memory available to run a large application, try configuring the networkClient (by running in \NET the SETUP-program) for "Do Not Logon to Domain" and then using the "Basic Redirector" to connect to the NT-server (if Workgroup access is permitted by the NT-server Administrator).

The Microsoft Network Client 3.0 installs the Client-module, allowing a DOS-system to connect to shared resources on a Microsoft network.
To allow other systems to access the disk and/or printer on a DOS-system,
you need to install the upgrade for the DOS-based Microsoft Network Server.