Two Networks in One

If you’re using a mixed network environment containing Win

2k and NetWare, then you’ll need separate logins and passwords to access the

resources on these networks. However, this can be avoided by using a feature

called GSNW (Gateway Services for NetWare) in Win 2k.

Using GSNW, you can integrate the two networks in such a way

that you can access both using a single login. Basically, GSNW acts as a gateway

between the two operating systems and gives access to resources, like printers,

volumes, directories, etc, on both the networks. This service is present in Win

NT too, and works the same way in Win 2k.

Let’s see how to have it up and running.

Configuring the NetWare server

Log on to your NetWare server with administrator rights. Open

NetWare Administrator and create a new group called NTGATEWAY. Set up the group

with rights to the resources you want to give access to. Now, assign a user

account as a member of this group. This account will be used by Win 2k server to

access the gateway.

GSNW on Win 2k server

Adding services in Win 2k is slightly different from Win NT.

Right click on "My Network Places" and select Properties. You’ll see

a lot of network segments here. Select the properties for the network segment

where you want these services. Click on Install, select Client, and Add. Choose

Gateway (and client) services for NetWare from the list that follows. You’ll

be prompted to restart your PC.

The installation creates an icon called GSNW in the Control

Panel. Here, you have to specify your NetWare network details, like preferred

server, default tree and context, etc. Click on the Gateway button and enable it

from the window that follows. In the account name, enter the username and

password you added to the NTGATEWAY on NetWare server. Your gateway should now

be ready for some action.

The next step is to create shares for the clients on your

network. For this, open GSNW again and click on the Add button. The "New

share" dialog box opens up. Enter a share name, and other details about the

drives you want to share on the NetWare server. These include the network path

to the NetWare volume or directory you want to share, the drive letter to map it

to, a share name, and other comments. You also need to define user permissions

from here.

When clients access the Win 2k network, they’ll get all the

drive mappings defined in GSNW, and won’t be able to tell which server’s

resources they’re using.

GSNW can be convenient as long as there aren’t too many

clients who need access. Otherwise, you’ll be putting extra load on the Win 2k

server, as all NetWare requests will pass through it, which could slow down

access. The benefit is that you don’t need to install multiple clients on user

machines.

Sachin Makhija with Sanjay Majumdar