Article ID: 834395 - Last Review: July 24, 2007 - Revision: 3.9

You cannot load a remote LMHOSTS file in Windows Server 2003

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SYMPTOMS

You may not be able to load an LMHOSTS file that is located on a remote server. This LMHOSTS file loads in Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, but does not load in Microsoft Windows Server 2003.
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CAUSE

This problem occurs because Windows Server 2003 does not correctly read the LMHOSTS file at logon if the file points to an IP address as a host name. When Windows Server 2003 starts and loads a remote LMHOSTS file, it makes a null session connection to an IP address. Windows Server 2003 truncates the host name when you use IP address-to-IP address mapping in the LMHOSTS file.

The following is an example of an LMHOSTS file that does not load successfully in Windows Server 2003:

# --- LMHOSTS for Network A
# --- define IP addresses to servers with LMHOSTS on Public share
10.0.0.1  10.0.0.1  #PRE
# --- use LMHOSTS from the first successful access
#BEGIN_ALTERNATE
#INCLUDE \\10.0.0.1\Public\Network\Lmhosts.lab
#END_ALTERNATE


The following is an example of an LMHOSTS file that loads successfully in Windows Server 2003:

# --- LMHOSTS for Network A
# --- define IP addresses to servers with LMHOSTS on Public share
10.0.0.1  ServerName  #PRE
# --- use LMHOSTS from the first successful access
#BEGIN_ALTERNATE
#INCLUDE \\ServerName\Public\Network\Lmhosts.lab
#END_ALTERNATE
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RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)
Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel. 
   Date         Time   Version           Size     File name
   --------------------------------------------------------
   06-Jan-2004  00:40  5.2.3790.116      195,584  Netbt.sys x86
   06-Jan-2004  00:39  5.2.3790.116      534,528  Netbt.sys IA-64
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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use a computer name instead of an IP address in the LMHOSTS file.
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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section of this article.
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MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
824684  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824684/ ) Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
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Keywords: 
kbautohotfix kbhotfixserver kbqfe kbbug kbfix kbqfe kbwinserv2003presp1fix KB834395
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