TITLE
    AppleShare IP: Troubleshooting Shared User & Groups
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		31042
7/12/99
10/21/99
TOPIC

    This article provides troubleshooting steps for different issues users may see with the shared User & Groups database feature in AppleShare IP 6.2

DISCUSSION

    Distributed databases, such as Shared Users & Groups, are inherently slower and more prone to various issues than non-distributed databases. You have moved from a simple architecture of a client talking to a server to a complex architecture of a client talking to a server talking to another server. There are twice as many communication links and twice as many chances that the total connection will fail. Thus, it's even more important to have reliable networking equipment, hardware, and software configurations than it was before for the Shared Users & Groups feature to perform as expected.

    That said, it's generally much easier to administer one user and group list than eleven, so the extra precautions and risks associated with shared users & groups are often worth the effort.

    Here is some troubleshooting advice for common issues:

    Cannot Connect to Primary Server
      1. Verify that the primary server address is correct.
      2. Verify that the name and password of the owner (the "main administrator," which is also defined as the Machine Owner in the File Sharing control panel) is the same on the primary as it is on the secondary. Cases must match.
      3. Ensure that TCP/IP is correctly set up on both computers.
      4. Make sure that you've not set up TCP Filter to block port 687.

    Primary Server Slow While Downloading Users

    Downloading users is a stressful operation. Think of it as being functionally equivalent to every single user trying to log in to the server at the same time. Apple does not recommend frequent use of the Download All option. It is most useful in an initial setup operation, where you have a lot of time available (in addition to being stressful, downloading users takes a long time). During a download, the interface on either computer may become unresponsive. For routine use, Apple recommends using automatic downloading, which is far less taxing on the servers, computers, and networks.

    Primary Server Crashes During a Download All

    Download All traverses the entire user database. As such, it copies information from the primary to the secondary that may not have been accessed for a long time, or may never have been accessed. This is usually indicative of a bad Users & Groups Data File. You should obtain the latest AppleShare IP First Aid tool and reconstruct your Users & Groups file in accordance with the instructions that come with it.

Document Information
Product Area: Apple Software; Communications-Networking
Category: AppleShare
Sub Category: AppleShare/Print Server

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