KB166665 - XCLN: Troubleshooting AppleTalk Connection

Article ID: 166665

Article Last Modified on 4/28/2005

Microsoft Exchange Client 4.0 for Macintosh
Microsoft Exchange Client 5.0 for Macintosh

This article was previously published under Q166665

SYMPTOMS

The Microsoft Exchange Macintosh client cannot use AppleTalk network protocol to connect to the computer running Microsoft Exchange Server. The following error message may appear:

Your Microsoft Exchange Server is unavailable.

CAUSE

Usually, these symptoms mean a connection to the computer running Exchange Server cannot be made. It could also mean the server is down, AppleTalk is not being routed between network segments, or the Windows NT Services are not configured correctly. To determine the cause, answer the troubleshooting questions below.

MORE INFORMATION

Troubleshooting

Has AppleTalk been configured on the Macintosh?

Go to the Apple Menu, Control Panels, AppleTalk. Make sure the "Connect Via" is set to Ethernet (or whatever is applicable for your network). The "current zone" should appear in the box below. If this hasn't been activated, make sure to activate after selecting connection.

Has Services for Macintosh been installed and configured and is it running on the computer running Windows NT Server and Exchange Server?

If Services for Macintosh has been installed, you will see this under File Service for Macintosh in Control Panel Services. This should be set as Automatic, and Status should be Started. If this has not been installed, refer to Windows NT documentation for installation instructions.

For additional information on Services for Macintosh, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
149202 XCLN: Client for Macintosh Release Notes
Also see the Windows NT Server documentation on MacFile and Services for Macintosh.
Is the MacFile name the same as the machine name of the computer running Windows NT Server and Exchange Server?

This name needs to be the same for Exchange to access the Exchange server correctly, as detailed in the Exchange Macintosh Release Notes.

This assumes the previous steps have been completed. To check the name, go to Control Panel MacFile. Click Attributes. This will show the server name broadcast over AppleTalk.
Are there any restrictions on the MacFile Connections on the computer running Windows NT Server and Exchange Server?

Again, go to Control Panel MacFile. Click Attributes. Under Sessions, is there a limit? If so, is it high enough to allow all Exchange Macintosh clients to connect?
Is there additional security restrictions on the MacFile Connections on the Windows NT/Exchange Server?

Again, go to Control Panel MacFile. Click on the Attributes button. Under "Security," clear all options.

NOTE: If you allow Guests to log on, then the Macintosh client may be using guest authentication to log on, but that should not be enough to log on to an Exchange account. You usually need an NT account (that is, Exchange Primary NT account) to log on to Exchange.

NOTE: It does not matter whether the Allow Workstations To Change Passwords check box is selected. If this is not selected, this will force the Macintosh to enter a password when logging in. It is recommended that you clear this check box, for tighter security.

NOTE: The Require Microsoft Authentication option is used for additional security, but requires additional setup on the Macintosh (including copying over the AppleShare Folder to the Macintosh). For testing, it is best to clear this check box to make sure the Macintosh can connect. If a connection is successful without this, you know the Macintosh requires additional setup. See Windows NT documentation for details.
Do you know the AppleTalk zone? Or, is there a zone set?

NOTE: You do not need to set this up if you only have one network segment. Exchange will think the AppleTalk zone is *, if no zone is selected.

To check the AppleTalk zone:
- On the computer running Windows NT Server and Exchange Server, go to Control Panels Network, and click the Services tab (for NT 4.0) to see the Properties on Services for Macintosh.
- You can select the "default" zone if you already have AppleTalk routing set up.
  
  -OR-
- You can use the computer running Windows NT Server as the router by "Enable Routing," and select the "Use This Router To Seed The Network" check box. However, USE WITH CAUTION! This will increase network traffic, and will make Windows NT Server an AppleTalk Router for your network. This may also cause problems connecting to the Server.
Can the Macintosh workstation see the Exchange server in the Chooser?

If so, can the Macintosh connect to a share? This is for testing the connection and Windows NT authentication only. You do NOT have to connect to a share in order to launch the Exchange client.

To check whether the Macintosh can connect to a share:
1. From the Macintosh, go to the Apple menu, and click Chooser.
2. Click AppleShare. Select the appropriate AppleTalk zone for the computer running Exchange Server, and see whether the "file server" is listed under "Select a File Server." Click OK.
3. Click "Registered User". Enter the name and password of the appropriate Windows NT account. Click OK.
  
  At minimum, there should be a Microsoft UAM Volume. Just highlight and see if you can connect. (Do NOT check the box unless you want to log on every time the Macintosh starts up.)
4. To disconnect from the share, drag the Volume icon to the trash.
Password problems?

For additional information on password problems, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
127943 Mac Client Can't Logon Because Password Has Expired

152923 Can't Change Expired Password From MAC Exchange Client

153213 XCLN: Can't Change Windows NT 3.51 Password w/AppleTalk

156182 XCLN: Changing Windows NT 4.0 Password in Microsoft Exchange
Check for errors in the Event Viewer on the computer running Windows NT Server and Exchange Server. Specifically, look for login errors, AppleTalk load failures, or MacFile failures.

For example, if AppleTalk does not load before the Exchange server, then Exchange Server does not create the appropriate server entry for AppleTalk clients to connect.
If the problem still cannot be identified, get a Network Monitor trace between the Macintosh client, Exchange Server, and any primary domain controllers (PDCs) or backup domain controllers (BDCs). For example, if there is a router between the Macintosh and Exchange Server, AppleTalk routing must be turned on at the Router.
If the server has changed AppleTalk zones, the Macintosh Exchange clients must create new Exchange Profiles.

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