connect to shared folder via hosts file

Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64 Edition SP2
IP = 10.1.0.154
Computer Name = SERVER_1


XP Professional 2002 SP3
IP = 10.1.0.165
Computer Name = WORK_1



SERVER_1 has shared folder \xfer\

On WORK_1 , in the hosts file on , I have

10.1.0.154 SVR_DB


On the XP box , I try to open the shared folder via Start > Run >
\\SVR_DB\xfer ...

I receive the error :


You were not connected because a duplicate name exists on the nework. Go to
System in Control Panel to change the computer name and try again.


There is no box on the network named SVR_DB . SVR_DB only exists once in my
local hosts file.


What could be causing this problem ?

Can you ping SVR_DB and get IP 10.1.0.154?

--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"John A Grandy" <johnagrandy-at-gmail-dot-com> wrote in message
news:Oxot0gV$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64 Edition SP2
> IP = 10.1.0.154
> Computer Name = SERVER_1
>
>
> XP Professional 2002 SP3
> IP = 10.1.0.165
> Computer Name = WORK_1
>
>
>
> SERVER_1 has shared folder \xfer\
>
> On WORK_1 , in the hosts file on , I have
>
> 10.1.0.154 SVR_DB
>
>
> On the XP box , I try to open the shared folder via Start > Run >
> \\SVR_DB\xfer ...
>
> I receive the error :
>
>
> You were not connected because a duplicate name exists on the nework. Go
> to System in Control Panel to change the computer name and try again.
>
>
> There is no box on the network named SVR_DB . SVR_DB only exists once in
> my local hosts file.
>
>
> What could be causing this problem ?
>
>
>
>

John A Grandy <johnagrandy-at-gmail-dot-com> wrote:
> Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64 Edition SP2
> IP = 10.1.0.154
> Computer Name = SERVER_1
>
>
> XP Professional 2002 SP3
> IP = 10.1.0.165
> Computer Name = WORK_1
>
>
>
> SERVER_1 has shared folder \xfer\
>
> On WORK_1 , in the hosts file on , I have
>
> 10.1.0.154 SVR_DB
>
>
> On the XP box , I try to open the shared folder via Start > Run >
> \\SVR_DB\xfer ...
>
> I receive the error :
>
>
> You were not connected because a duplicate name exists on the nework.
> Go to System in Control Panel to change the computer name and try
> again.
>
> There is no box on the network named SVR_DB . SVR_DB only exists
> once in my local hosts file.
>
>
> What could be causing this problem ?

I suspect you'd need to use LMHOSTS instead of HOSTS here, and the syntax
for that file eludes me as it's been so long since I used one.
Does it work when you use \\server_1\xfer ?
Are you using AD?

Pinging SVR_DB does reply from IP 10.1.0.154


"Robert L. (MS-MVP)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%23XnkQJW$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Can you ping SVR_DB and get IP 10.1.0.154?
>
> --
> Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
> Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
> http://www.ChicagoTech.net
> How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
> http://www.HowToNetworking.com
> "John A Grandy" <johnagrandy-at-gmail-dot-com> wrote in message
> news:Oxot0gV$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64 Edition SP2
>> IP = 10.1.0.154
>> Computer Name = SERVER_1
>>
>>
>> XP Professional 2002 SP3
>> IP = 10.1.0.165
>> Computer Name = WORK_1
>>
>>
>>
>> SERVER_1 has shared folder \xfer\
>>
>> On WORK_1 , in the hosts file on , I have
>>
>> 10.1.0.154 SVR_DB
>>
>>
>> On the XP box , I try to open the shared folder via Start > Run >
>> \\SVR_DB\xfer ...
>>
>> I receive the error :
>>
>>
>> You were not connected because a duplicate name exists on the nework. Go
>> to System in Control Panel to change the computer name and try again.
>>
>>
>> There is no box on the network named SVR_DB . SVR_DB only exists once in
>> my local hosts file.
>>
>>
>> What could be causing this problem ?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

Yes, running \\SERVER_1\XFER opens a window onto that directory.

I am on a workgroup, no AD.

What is the difference between LMHOSTS and HOSTS ?


"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> wrote in message
news:e5E237W$(E-Mail Removed)...
> John A Grandy <johnagrandy-at-gmail-dot-com> wrote:
>> Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64 Edition SP2
>> IP = 10.1.0.154
>> Computer Name = SERVER_1
>>
>>
>> XP Professional 2002 SP3
>> IP = 10.1.0.165
>> Computer Name = WORK_1
>>
>>
>>
>> SERVER_1 has shared folder \xfer\
>>
>> On WORK_1 , in the hosts file on , I have
>>
>> 10.1.0.154 SVR_DB
>>
>>
>> On the XP box , I try to open the shared folder via Start > Run >
>> \\SVR_DB\xfer ...
>>
>> I receive the error :
>>
>>
>> You were not connected because a duplicate name exists on the nework.
>> Go to System in Control Panel to change the computer name and try
>> again.
>>
>> There is no box on the network named SVR_DB . SVR_DB only exists
>> once in my local hosts file.
>>
>>
>> What could be causing this problem ?
>
> I suspect you'd need to use LMHOSTS instead of HOSTS here, and the syntax
> for that file eludes me as it's been so long since I used one.
> Does it work when you use \\server_1\xfer ?
> Are you using AD?
>
>
>

"John A Grandy" <johnagrandy-at-gmail-dot-com> wrote in message
news:#mp$gNZ$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Yes, running \\SERVER_1\XFER opens a window onto that directory.
>
> I am on a workgroup, no AD.
>
> What is the difference between LMHOSTS and HOSTS ?
>

HOSTS is the one to use with DNS style names. DNS was developed to
overcome the limitations of HOST files (way back in the past when the
Internet was very new).

LMHOSTS is the one to use with Netbios names. WINS grew out of LMHOSTS
to overcome its limitations.

Bill Grant <not.available@online> wrote:
> "John A Grandy" <johnagrandy-at-gmail-dot-com> wrote in message
> news:#mp$gNZ$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Yes, running \\SERVER_1\XFER opens a window onto that directory.
>>
>> I am on a workgroup, no AD.
>>
>> What is the difference between LMHOSTS and HOSTS ?
>>
>
> HOSTS is the one to use with DNS style names. DNS was developed to
> overcome the limitations of HOST files (way back in the past when the
> Internet was very new).
>
> LMHOSTS is the one to use with Netbios names. WINS grew out of
> LMHOSTS to overcome its limitations.

Yep.

See

How to Write an LMHOSTS File for Domain Validation and Other Name Resolution
Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314108

....and to the OP: what's the reason you feel the need to address your server
by another name anyway?

It's an application configuration issue.

The application connects to db using "SVR_DB" in the connection string. The
HOSTS file maps that name to the actual ip of the db server.

Why would HOSTS vs LMHOSTS matter ?


"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> wrote in message
news:eA0VDfh$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Bill Grant <not.available@online> wrote:
>> "John A Grandy" <johnagrandy-at-gmail-dot-com> wrote in message
>> news:#mp$gNZ$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Yes, running \\SERVER_1\XFER opens a window onto that directory.
>>>
>>> I am on a workgroup, no AD.
>>>
>>> What is the difference between LMHOSTS and HOSTS ?
>>>
>>
>> HOSTS is the one to use with DNS style names. DNS was developed to
>> overcome the limitations of HOST files (way back in the past when the
>> Internet was very new).
>>
>> LMHOSTS is the one to use with Netbios names. WINS grew out of
>> LMHOSTS to overcome its limitations.
>
> Yep.
>
> See
>
> How to Write an LMHOSTS File for Domain Validation and Other Name
> Resolution Issues
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314108
>
> ...and to the OP: what's the reason you feel the need to address your
> server by another name anyway?
>

John A Grandy <johnagrandy-at-gmail-dot-com> wrote:
> It's an application configuration issue.
>
> The application connects to db using "SVR_DB" in the connection
> string. The HOSTS file maps that name to the actual ip of the db
> server.
> Why would HOSTS vs LMHOSTS matter ?

Because it's NetBIOS ?

I've never tried doing what you're doing, so it's hard for me to be more
specific, but do check out the LMHOSTS article I linked. I used to use
LMHOSTS back in the day when my VPN clients needed to map to remote shares
on NT servers.

>
>
> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
> <(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> wrote in
> message news:eA0VDfh$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Bill Grant <not.available@online> wrote:
>>> "John A Grandy" <johnagrandy-at-gmail-dot-com> wrote in message
>>> news:#mp$gNZ$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> Yes, running \\SERVER_1\XFER opens a window onto that directory.
>>>>
>>>> I am on a workgroup, no AD.
>>>>
>>>> What is the difference between LMHOSTS and HOSTS ?
>>>>
>>>
>>> HOSTS is the one to use with DNS style names. DNS was developed
>>> to overcome the limitations of HOST files (way back in the past
>>> when the Internet was very new).
>>>
>>> LMHOSTS is the one to use with Netbios names. WINS grew out of
>>> LMHOSTS to overcome its limitations.
>>
>> Yep.
>>
>> See
>>
>> How to Write an LMHOSTS File for Domain Validation and Other Name
>> Resolution Issues
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314108
>>
>> ...and to the OP: what's the reason you feel the need to address your
>> server by another name anyway?

Ok, I created an LMHOSTS file with the mapping :

10.1.0.154 SVR_DB #PRE



I then ran "nbtstat -R" to purge/reload the NBT Remote Cache Name Table

"nbstat -c" shows that I have multiple mappings for the (name,ip) pair :

NetBIOS Remote Cache Name Table

Name Type Host Address Life[sec]
----------------------------------------------------------
SVR_DB <03> UNIQUE 10.1.0.154 -1
SVR_DB <03> UNIQUE 10.1.0.154 -1
SVR_DB <03> UNIQUE 10.1.0.154 -1


Not sure how 3 mappings got into the cache , but when I attempt to open the
folder \\SVR_DB\XFER I still receive the same error :

"You were not connected because a duplicate name exists on the network. Go
to System in Control Panel to change the computer name and try again."


Could this error actually have nothing to do with whether LMHOSTS is present
or not , and be due to other workstations on this network having identical
HOSTS files ?






"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> wrote in message
news:eTmW$Au$(E-Mail Removed)...
> John A Grandy <johnagrandy-at-gmail-dot-com> wrote:
>> It's an application configuration issue.
>>
>> The application connects to db using "SVR_DB" in the connection
>> string. The HOSTS file maps that name to the actual ip of the db
>> server.
>> Why would HOSTS vs LMHOSTS matter ?
>
> Because it's NetBIOS ?
>
> I've never tried doing what you're doing, so it's hard for me to be more
> specific, but do check out the LMHOSTS article I linked. I used to use
> LMHOSTS back in the day when my VPN clients needed to map to remote shares
> on NT servers.
>
>>
>>
>> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
>> <(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> wrote in
>> message news:eA0VDfh$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Bill Grant <not.available@online> wrote:
>>>> "John A Grandy" <johnagrandy-at-gmail-dot-com> wrote in message
>>>> news:#mp$gNZ$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>> Yes, running \\SERVER_1\XFER opens a window onto that directory.
>>>>>
>>>>> I am on a workgroup, no AD.
>>>>>
>>>>> What is the difference between LMHOSTS and HOSTS ?
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> HOSTS is the one to use with DNS style names. DNS was developed
>>>> to overcome the limitations of HOST files (way back in the past
>>>> when the Internet was very new).
>>>>
>>>> LMHOSTS is the one to use with Netbios names. WINS grew out of
>>>> LMHOSTS to overcome its limitations.
>>>
>>> Yep.
>>>
>>> See
>>>
>>> How to Write an LMHOSTS File for Domain Validation and Other Name
>>> Resolution Issues
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314108
>>>
>>> ...and to the OP: what's the reason you feel the need to address your
>>> server by another name anyway?
>
>
>