DOS Compatibility Card: Use VLM.EXE With NetWare

I am trying to connect to a Novell NetWare 3.12 server using a DOS Compatibility Card. However, when I use NETX 3.32 with ETHERNET_802.3 from MS-DOS, I get the error message "Can't connect to a server", and then the application quits.
Apple has tested NETX.EXE and it seems to function properly, however both Apple and Novell recommend upgrading the workstations to VLM.EXE because of its versatility and smaller memory footprint. Also Novell no longer supports NETX.EXE, so you should use VLM.EXE.

Following is a list of version numbers of the various components Apple Computer tested:


MACODI.COM     v0.23
LSL.COM        v2.01 and v2.14
IPXODI.COM     v2.11 and v3.01
NETX.EXE       v3.32
VLM.EXE        v1.20
NETX.VLM       v4.20

NETX.EXE or NETX.VLM is the DOS requester shell. A configuration error is the likely cause of the error. Typically, "Can't find a server" error messages are almost always related to frame type settings in the link driver section of the NET.CFG file. Here is an sample NET.CFG file to compare with what you are using.

Note:
-----
In the NET.CFG tabs are important.

---------------------------------------------------
SAMPLE NET.CFG
---------------------------------------------------

Link Driver MACODI
    Protocol IPX 0 ETHERNET_802.3
    FRAME ETHERNET_802.3

Netware DOS Requester
    FIRST NETWORK DRIVE = F

Link Support
    Buffers 8 1500
    MemPool 4096


Notice that tabs were used to indent.

Connecting a DOS/Windows computer into the same drop and having them operate correctly only indicates that the hardware is functioning correctly. The link driver section has to explicitly name the driver -- in this case MACODI. If you copied a NET.CFG file from another computer, it will not work. Novell Netware 3.x servers default to Ethernet 802.3, while 4.x servers default to 802.2.

Published Date: Feb 19, 2012