Networking Basics for Getting
Up and Running
If you have not already decided on a computer network operating system
to use for your business, please read our comments on
network
recommendations and compatibility.
ManageMore Business Software has already been set up to
automatically optimize network settings on all workstations that it runs
on. The only computer that requires an initial network
configuration is your file server. ManageMore includes a simple tool for
automatically configuring most Windows OS servers. This tool is
titled "Techtool.exe" and is included in the same folder as the installed
ManageMore program. Simply run this program and from the main menu
choose
Activities… Check Configuration… and follow the steps mentioned.
The rest of the network documentation contained herein
is for troubleshooting problems that can occur under special
circumstances or for Novell Operating systems which require additional
configuration steps.
Network OS
Compatibility
There are a variety of compatible network options that will run
ManageMore Business Software. Each of these networking solutions
have their advantages and disadvantages in several key areas. See
network comparison chart if you have not yet
decided on the network environment to use.
Windows Peer-to-Peer Network OS
All versions of Microsoft Windows come with a free peer-to-peer networking
solution. This network model is adequate for very small
businesses with low volume transactions only. Peer-to-Peer networks
are considered risky for larger operations (5 or more networked stations)
because of its lack of file integrity and overall slower
performance.
If you are experiencing problems, please review these troubleshooting tips:
1. Turn off any data compression. The computer that will be
used as the file server should not be using any hard drive data
compression capabilities.
2. If program performance seems unusually slow...
A. Some anti-virus software
applications have been known to cause poor network performance and also
interfere with the proper operation of ManageMore. Consider temporarily
removing the anti-virus program from all of your computers to determine
if this is the root of the problem.
B. Some firewall software applications have been known to cause poor
network performance and also interfere with the proper operation of
ManageMore. Consider temporarily removing the firewall software
from all of your computers to determine if this is the root of the
problem.
C. You may need to check the Browse Master feature which is enabled
by default when using “File and Printer sharing for Microsoft
Networks…”. This setting has been known to occasionally cause poor
network performance. When using Windows ’98, the setting is located
under Network Neighborhood… Properties… File and Printer Sharing for
Microsoft Networks… Properties Button… The Browse Master feature should
be disabled on all computers except the file server.
3. If you are still having problems... it is always good
practice to make sure that all your workstations/servers are using the
latest software drivers for your network cards and the latest service
packs for your operating system. We strongly recommend using quality
network cards (like 3COM or INTEL) to reduce your chances of data
packet loss, corruption, and poor performance.
Windows 2000/2003
Server Editions
If you are experiencing problems, please review these troubleshooting tips:
1. Limit network protocols to TCP/IP. Remove any extra
network protocols (i.e. NETBeui) that may be defined in the Network
settings. Multiple defined protocols on a workstation or server will
most likely cause erratic lock-up issues or slow performance.
2. Turn off any data compression. Any data compression being performed
on an NTFS volume can affect software performance and has even been known for
causing data corruption.
3. If program performance seems unusually slow...
A. Certain older/outdated versions of anti-virus software
applications have been known to cause poor network performance and also
interfere with the proper operation of ManageMore. Consider temporarily
removing the anti-virus program from all of your computers to determine
if this is the root of the problem.
B. Some firewall software applications have been known to cause poor
network performance and also interfere with the proper operation of
ManageMore. Consider temporarily removing the firewall software
from all of your computers to determine if this is the root of the
problem.
C. If using Windows NT Server (Service Pack 4,5,6 and 6a), you may suffer from poor network
performance due to a known MS flaw. Please read MS KB article Q249799
to determine if this problem affects your network and how to fix it.
D. When using Windows 2000 Server Edition, it is possible that slow
network response is due to excessive network collisions. If you are
experiencing network collisions, consider modifying the following registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"NETWORKINGCARD" Adaptive_ifs, REG_DWORD, 1 turns
this feature on.
"NETWORKINGCARD" should be replaced with your actual networking card
designation value (e.g. {691AC6FE-08AD-4C7B-9C98-E5534049CB94}).
E. You may need to check the Browse Master feature which is enabled
by default when using “File and Printer sharing for Microsoft
Networks…”. This setting has been known to occasionally cause poor
network performance. When using Windows ’98, the setting is located
under Network Neighborhood… Properties… File and Printer Sharing for
Microsoft Networks… Properties Button… The Browse Master feature should
be disabled on all computers except the file server.
4. Be consistent with Service Packs on the network. When using workstations installed with Windows NT/2000
workstation edition, it is imperative that you use the same service
pack as installed on the NT/2000 Server. Having different OS service
packs throughout the network has been known to cause erratic problems
including poor network performance and possibly even data corruption.
5. Disable network redirector file caching. Under rare circumstances, it may be necessary to disable network
redirector file caching on NT Servers if ManageMore complains
frequently of duplicate key errors. Only disable this feature if you
are experiencing problems after doing all other recommended settings in
this document. Please refer to MS KB Q163401 article for details about
this feature and instructions on how to disable the network redirector
cache.
6. Synchronize your dates on the network. It is strongly recommended that your network has been setup to
synchronize all workstations with the date/time of your NT/2000 Server.
This involves the use of a command “NET TIME” in each workstation logon
script. Please refer to MS KB Q120944 for more information or check
with your network administrator.
Microsoft Terminal Services or Citrix Metaframe
Both Citrix Metaframe and Microsoft Terminal Services
are very similar in nature.
If you are experiencing problems, please review these troubleshooting tips:
1. Limit network protocols to TCP/IP. Remove any extra
network protocols (i.e. NETBeui) that may be defined in the Network
settings. Multiple defined protocols on a workstation or server will
most likely cause erratic lock-up issues or slow performance.
2. Turn off any data compression. Any data compression being performed
on an NTFS volume will affect software performance and has even been known for
causing data corruption.
3. If program performance seems unusually slow...
A. Some anti-virus software applications
have been known to cause poor network performance and also interfere
with the proper operation of ManageMore. Consider temporarily
removing the anti-virus program from all of your computers to determine
if this is the root of the problem.
B. Some firewall software applications have been known to cause poor
network performance and also interfere with the proper operation of
ManageMore. Consider temporarily removing the firewall software
from all of your computers to determine if this is the root of the
problem.
C. You may need to check the Browse Master feature which is enabled
by default when using “File and Printer sharing for Microsoft
Networks…”. This setting has been known to occasionally cause poor
network performance. On Most Windows OS, the setting is located
under Network Neighborhood… Properties… File and Printer Sharing for
Microsoft Networks… Properties Button… The Browse Master feature should
be disabled on all computers except the file server.
4. RAM. RAM. and more RAM. It is strongly recommended that you obtain as much RAM as
possible when setting up this type of network. It makes a huge
difference in overall performance. We recommend a minimum of 1
Gig RAM (preferably 2 Gig RAM if more than 20 stations will be
connected to one server).
5. File Access Errors. Under the Windows 2000 Terminal
Services environment, users may experience problem if ManageMore is
accessed over the network or over mapped network drives. The
error message will appear as "File xxxxxx.mdf could not be opened.
Possible data corruption on file (1477)." These known
Microsoft problems were documented in the following KB articles: MS KB
#818528, MS KB #294816, MS KB #299603. This issue affects MS
Windows 2000 SP1 thru SP4. A hotfix is available by Microsoft as
a temporary fix until they resolve the issue. Please visit the
Microsoft KB article for more info on obtaining this patch.
6. If you are still having problems... it is always good
practice to make sure that all your workstations/servers are using the
latest software drivers for your network cards and the latest service
packs for your operating system. We strongly recommend using quality
network cards (like 3COM or INTEL) to reduce your chances of data
packet loss, corruption, and poor performance.
We also recommend you visit Microsoft’s
Web site and read MS KB article Q245607 which contains links to all
types of setup issues for this environment.
Network
Interface Card Issues
The following documentation is for advanced users only. Many
network interface card issues can be avoided if you purchase same brand
network cards and hubs/switches with auto-sensing or auto-negotiation
capabilities.
Network Interface Card Drivers
Always make sure the latest Network Interface Card (NIC) driver is
being used. Current drivers are typically available from the manufacturer
of your NIC card. This is often the source for many network-related
slowdowns, corruption, and erratic performance problems. Do not
rely on the drivers that come with Microsoft Windows as they are often
outdated and unreliable in most cases.
Speed and Duplex Configurations
Improper configuration of NIC link speeds and duplex settings can
cause sluggish network performance, timeout errors and lost network
connections, all of which can in turn lead to data corruption. It is
important that each NIC, including those on the file server(s), are
configured to match the speed and duplex settings used by the ports on
the hubs or switches to which they are connected.
Many NICs, hubs and switches support auto-detection (also called
auto-sensing and auto-negotiation), which automatically detects and
matches the speed and duplex settings configured for the connected hub or
switch port. However, auto-detection may not work correctly when
connecting certain brands of NICs, hubs and switches to certain other
brands. Therefore, it may be necessary to manually configure the NIC to
match the exact speed and duplex settings used by the hub or switch port.
The following articles from Microsoft's Knowledge Base and Novell's
Knowledge Base provide detailed information regarding speed and duplex
settings:
- Microsoft Article
325487 - How to Troubleshoot Network Connectivity Problems
- Microsoft Article
247609 - Poor Performance with Catalyst 2948G LAN Switch
- Novell Article
10023448 - Should I Use Half Duplex or Full Duplex?
- Novell Article
10018424 - Server Will Close All Communication
- Novell Article
10016506 - TCPIP Significantly Slower than IPX
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Networking Basics For Getting Up and Running