Microsoft Network Client and LAN Manager 2.2c Comparison

Two MS-DOS-based network clients ship with Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51: LAN Manager for MS-DOS and Microsoft Network Client for MS-DOS. Microsoft recommends you use Network Client for MS-DOS unless you are using a remote boot workstation.

Microsoft Network Client for MS-DOS was derived from Workgroup Add-on for MS-DOS. Microsoft Network Client for MS-DOS differs from Workgroup Add-on for MS-DOS in the following ways:

• Microsoft Network Client for MS-DOS does not include the Microsoft Mail client or MS-DOS server functionality included in Workgroup Add-on for MS-DOS.
• Unlike Workgroup Add-on for MS-DOS, Microsoft Network Client for MS-DOS includes the TCP/IP, MS-DLC, and IPX protocols.

Microsoft Network Client for MS-DOS differs from Microsoft LAN Manager for MS-DOS in the following ways:

• Because Microsoft LAN Manager for MS-DOS does not have any upgrade support, it is easier to upgrade from Microsoft LAN Manager for MS-DOS to Microsoft Network Client for MS-DOS than it is to upgrade to Microsoft LAN Manager for MS-DOS.
• Microsoft Network Client for MS-DOS does not support remote boot. LAN Manager for MS-DOS is the only Microsoft client that supports remote boot.
• The Microsoft Network Client for MS-DOS redirectors (both Basic and Full) have been optimized to work efficiently with Windows NT 3.5 and 3.51. As a result, Microsoft Network Client for MS-DOS is faster than Microsoft LAN Manager for MS-DOS at connecting to a computer running Microsoft Windows NT.

Both Microsoft Network Client for MS-DOS and Microsoft LAN Manager for MS-DOS:

• Ship with identical MS-DOS TCP/IP protocols.
• Support and include the TCP/IP, NetBEUI, and IPX protocols.
• Support identical DHCP and Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) capabilities.
• Do not include the Microsoft Mail client.