Configure the PC for iSeries NetServer Use

This information allows you to configure the PC as an IBM® iSeries™ Support for Windows® Network Neighborhood (iSeries NetServer™) client. It also provides information about configuring iSeries NetServer file and print shares and updating a LMHOSTS file.

Installing iSeries Access for Windows over a network can be done using iSeries NetServer. This support does not require any additional software on your PC. iSeries NetServer takes advantage of the integrated file and print sharing capability in Windows operating systems, enabled using the X/Open Company industry-standard Server Message Block (SMB) protocol.

Prerequisites to configure the PC for iSeries NetServer use

In order to configure the PC for iSeries NetServer use, you must have:

Configure the PC as an iSeries NetServer Client

To configure your PC for iSeries NetServer support, the steps vary depending on which operating system you are using. Go to the section below for your operating system.

Parent topic: Add the server name to the HOSTS file
Parent topic: Set up the PC

Check Windows 2000 settings:

  1. From the Windows desktop, right-click My Network Places. Then, click Properties.
  2. Click Network identification. Make sure that you have a unique computer name and a valid domain (workgroup) name configured (preferably the same one as the iSeries NetServer). Close this dialog.
  3. Right-click the Local Area Connection icon and click on Properties. Make sure that the TCP/IP Protocol is there and is configured properly.
  4. Continue with Check TCP/IP Support.

Check Windows XP/Windows Server 2003 settings

  1. From the Windows desktop, right-click My Network Places. Then, click Properties.
  2. Right-click Local Area Connection and click on Properties. Make sure that the TCP/IP Protocol is there and is configured properly.
  3. Continue with Check TCP/IP Support.

Check TCP/IP Support

  1. Open a command prompt.
  2. There are two ways to check the connectivity from the PC client to iSeries NetServer. Type the following to make sure that your PC can communicate with the iSeries NetServer. 
    NBTSTAT -a iSeries-NetServer-server-name

    If the NBTSTAT command fails, verify that your IP address resolution strategy is correct by trying the following:

    PING iSeries-NetServer-server-name
  3. If your results fail, try adding an entry to the iSeries NetServer to the PC's local LMHOSTS file. Do the following:
    1. Look in the \WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc directory for the LMHOSTS file.
      Notes:
      • The directory could be \WINNT\system32 instead of \WINDOWS\system32, depending on your operating system.
      • If you cannot find the LMHOSTS file in the specified directory, you have two options:
        • Create a new LMHOSTS file
        • Copy or rename LMHOSTS.SAM in that same directory to LMHOSTS
      Complete instructions are provided in the LMHOSTS.SAM file.
    2. Type the following to reload PC cache from the updated LMHOSTS file. 
      NBTSTAT -R
  4. Do one of the following:

Find iSeries NetServer and shared resources from Windows 2000

  1. From the Windows desktop, right-click My Network Places.
  2. Select Search for Computers.
  3. Fill in the NetServer name and select Search Now.

Find iSeries NetServer and shared resources from Windows XP/Windows Server 2003

  1. From the Windows desktop, right-click My Network Places.
  2. Select Search for Computers.
  3. Fill in the NetServer name and select Search.

Configure iSeries NetServer file and print shares

To configure iSeries NetServer file and print sharing capabilities, see these instructions:

Additional configuration instructions are available at Get started with iSeries NetServer.