Windows 200 Service (NT Service) Tech FAQ (Network Compatibility)
Created at 27 DEC 1996 03:21PM
1. What is the Windows 2000 Service?
The Windows 2000 Service (formerly called NT Service) is a program that gets installed onto your Intel-based Windows 2000/NT Server. It processes linear hash functionality on the NT server. It processes the reads, writes, deletes, and other linear hash functionality on the Windows 2000/NT server itself. This means that a workstation can not corrupt a file by abnormally terminating (losing power, being rebooted, etc.)The result of a corrupted file would be errors such as GFEs.
2. Why is the Network Performance Pack included with the Revelation Windows 2000 Service?
The Network Performance Pack is used to communicate with the Windows 2000/NT service using a network protocol known as named pipes. The Windows 2000 Service "advertises" its services. Then it "listens" for requests for its services. Then it sends "responses" to the requests. All of this communication is handled by the Network Performance Pack on one end and by the Windows 2000 Service on the other. This communication can happen over any protocol (TCP/IP, IPX/SPX,Netbeui etc.)
It is very important to note that the licensing for the Network Performance Pack is explicitly for one copy of Advanced Revelation or OpenInsight. This licensing is in effect for the Network Performance Pack whether it comes as part of the Revelation Windows 2000 Service or is purchased separately.
**You do not need to purchase a license of the Network Performance Pack for OpenInsight for Workgroups 3.12 or higher.
3. Which should be installed first, the Windows 2000 Service or the Network Performance Pack or does it matter?
No it does not matter which is installed first. However, a good rule of thumb is to upgrade the server first, and install the REVPARAM files first. This will help ensure that no users are logged into the system when you install the Network Performance Pack driver.
4. Do I have to use the Windows 2000 Service in conjunction with the Network Performance Pack (NPP) or is there a situation in which I only need to use the NPP?
The general guidelines are as follows:
If you are running OpenInsight or Advanced Revelation on a Windows 2000/NT Server, and you are using Win 95/NT/2000 client workstations, you need the Network Performance Pack If you have more than 10 users accessing your system, we would suggest the Network Performance Pack in conjunction with the Windows 2000 Service for maximum performance. For all versions of OpenInsight over 3.12, the NPP is included with the software. If you are using versions below 3.12, you need to purchase it as an additional product.
5. I have linear hash data located on multiple Windows 2000/NT servers, do I only need one copy of the Windows 2000 Service on one of these servers or do I need the Windows 2000 Service on every Windows 2000/NT server that contains data?
Te Revelation Windows 2000 Service should be installed on every Windows 2000/NT file server containing OpenInsight or Advanced Revelation linear hash files in order to provide maximum performance benefits. The Windows 2000 Service will only work in drives that are physically attached to a machine running the Windows 2000 Service.
6. What is local mode?
Local mode refers to how the client workstation reads the data from the server. What this means is that if the workstation is reading the linear hash data directly, instead of through the NT service, it is operating in what we call local mode. With the Windows 2000 Service this should only be used to verify that you are able to see the data.
7. OK, so how does this relate to the REVPARAM file and ServerOnly = true?
What the REPARAM file and the ServerOnly statement do is to prevent workstations from reading the data in local mode. If the REVPARAM with theServerOnly statement is in a directory that contains LH data it will prohibit the client from reading the data, and only allow the file server to access the data.
8. How do I stop and start services on an NT server under windows NT instead of doing it from the command line? (see the Windows 2000 Service documentation for a detailed description of how to use this function from the command line)
NT 3.51 - Go to the Main Group, Control Panel, then click on the "services" icon
NT 4.0 - Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel then click on the "services" icon
This will display a dialogue box featuring the services currently running under Windows 2000/NT.
9. I am running multiple protocols on my system, is this OK to do with the Windows 2000 Service?
Yes, it is OK and you will be able to run your application, however, less is best. We call that "stacking" your protocols. You will notice a significant decrease in performance of your Arev or OI product the more protocols you have running on your system. We would recommend using only one protocol for maximum performance on your workstation.
Also, Microsoft s Netbeui will typically be your fastest protocol, TCP/IP will be the second fastest, and the IPX/SPX protocol will be the third fastest. If you need to be running IPX/SPX when talking to an Windows 2000/NT Server, you want to make sure you are using Microsoft drivers.
10. I run Windows for Workgroups and once I installed the Windows 2000 Service on my NT 3.51 server, I did not see any performance benefits. Is there something I am doing wrong?
The Windows 2000 Server installation CD (3.51) that you have contains a patch for Windows for Workgroups. We suggest you install the patch prior to setting up the Windows 2000 Service. \clients\update.WFW. We have had several clients see a big improvement once they have installed this patch.
11. What do I do if I get the following error message mean during the Network Performance Pack install?
+—————————————————-+
Fatal Error Readnexting in table LH2_INSTALL
—[FS107]—————————————-
Read error.
OS File = "A:\AREV\REVxxxxx.LK".
————————————————–
[ESC] to terminate, Break to debugger? ([ESC]/B)
< >
+—————————————————-+
You should un-write-protect the Network Performance Pack disk.