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How can a DOS machine connect to an NT domain?

A. Microsoft provide software to enable a DOS machine to participate on a network using a variety of protocols and to connect to a Windows NT domain.

NT Server ships with the "Network Client Administrator" which allows the creation of an installation disk set or a disk to allow Network based installation of a variety of clients, including a network client for DOS.

'Q. How do I install NT over the network?' has an example of creating a network installation disk, instead we will concentrate on creating an installation disk set.

  1. Start Network Client Administrator (Start - Programs - Administrative Tools - Network Client Administrator)
  2. Select "Make Installation Disk Set" and click Continue
  3. You will need to specify the location of the "clients" directory that is on the Windows NT Server CD-ROM (easiest to copy clients from the CD-ROM, enter the location in the path box and select Share Files". Click OK
  4. Select the client to install "Network Client v3.0 for MS-DOS and Windows". Select the destination and click OK.
  5. Insert the first disk and click OK to the dialog.
  6. Files will be copied to the disk

To install on a DOS machine you perform the following:

  1. Insert DISK 1
  2. Change to the disk drive, a:
  3. Run setup.exe
  4. Press ENTER to start the installation
  5. Select the installation target directory, by default C:\NET. Press Enter
  6. Select the network adapter from the displayed list or use a custom adapter by selecting "Network adapter now shown on list below". Press Enter. If you are using a custom disk the program looks for protocol.ini, on my test machine I specified the NDIS\WFW directory on the install disk as the DOS directory did not have all the necessary files.
  7. You now have the option of changing the setup, by default only IPX will be installed, select "Change Network Configuration" and you can remove protocols and add the Microsoft TCP/IP protocol. You can then change the TCP/IP settings to configure IP address/subnet mask etc. Make sure if you are not using TCP/IP to set "Disable Automatic Configuration" to 1.
  8. Restart the machine

When the machine reboots it will load all the network and protocol drivers and then attempt to logon to the network by issuing the

net start

command. You will then be asked for a username and password:

Type your user name, or press ENTER if it is ADMINISTRATOR:
Type your password:

You will be asked if you want to create a password file. If you select yes then you will no longer be asked for a password at start-up time, like an auto-logon but be aware it means anyone accessing your computer can logon as you.


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