Procedures, FAQs, & Troubleshooting

Using Omni-NFS Server with Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)

When using Omni-NFS Server software with Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), you must perform some additional configuration for the Windows XP SP2 software firewall (Windows Firewall), which is not required for previous versions of Windows. This document describes the additional configuration procedures.

NOTE: If you are using an NFS Server software other than Omni-NFS Server, please consult the documentation supplied with your NFS Server software for details on using that product with Windows XP Service Pack 2.

NOTE: If you have not installed Omni-NFS Server on your system, click the link below for instructions.
Installing the Omni-NFS Server on the PC

After installing the Omni-NFS Server software, you must open some ports on the Windows Firewall, or completely disable the Windows Firewall, so that Omni-NFS Server can communicate across your network.

CAUTION: If you are using another software firewall, such as ZoneAlarm, McAfee Personal Firewall, etc., you must disable the Windows XP software firewall, as it will conflict with your other software firewall. Additionally, you will need to open the NFS ports shown in the NFS Ports table in your software firewall. Consult your software firewall product documentation for instructions.

Access the Windows XP SP2 Software Firewall

The Windows Firewall is accessed through the Windows XP Control Panel, by selecting:

    Start => Settings => Control Panel => Windows Firewall

The Windows Firewall dialog is displayed.

NOTE: The Windows Firewall is enabled (On) by default.

Should I Disable the Firewall or Open Some Ports?

At this point, you have two choices: You can completely disable the Windows Firewall, or you can keep the Windows Firewall operating and allow "exceptions" (open up some ports).

• If your PC is located behind a dedicated hardware firewall, you can disable the Windows Firewall.

• If your PC is directly connected to the Internet, or if you are not sure that you're behind a dedicated hardware firewall, keep the Windows Firewall operating and allow exceptions.

Disabling the Windows Firewall
(for PCs located behind a dedicated firewall)

This procedure describes how to completely disable the Windows Firewall. It is intended only for PCs that are always located behind a dedicated hardware firewall.

CAUTION: Before proceeding, you must be 100% certain that your PC is always behind a dedicated hardware firewall. If you are uncertain, go to the Allowing Exceptions procedure.

1. Open the Windows Firewall dialog. Details...

2. From the General tab of the Windows Firewall dialog, select the Off radio button.

3. Click OK to save the setting and close the dialog.

Allowing Exceptions

This procedure describes how to allow exceptions (open ports and/or allow program access) in the Windows Firewall.

Access the Exceptions Tab of the Windows Firewall

1. Open the Windows Firewall dialog. Details...

2. Click the Exceptions tab to access those options.

   

Open Windows Firewall Ports

1. From the Exceptions panel, click Add Port....

   

   The Add a Port dialog is displayed.

   

2. Use the information in the NFS Ports table to complete the Add a Port dialog, as follows:

   • Enter the Name column data into the Name field on the dialog

   • Enter the Port Number column data into the Port number field on the dialog

   • Refer to the TCP or UDP column to make the corresponding selection on the dialog

   NFS Ports Table

   NAME	PORT NUMBER	TCP or UDP
   NFS Portmapper TCP	111	TCP
   NFS Portmapper UDP	111	UDP
   NFS Mounted UDP	1058	UDP
   NFS NFSD UDP	2049	UDP

3. After completing the dialog for the first row of data, click OK to save the information.

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for the remaining rows of the table.

Allow Program Access Through the Windows Firewall

1. From the Exceptions panel, click Add Program....

   

2. The Add a Program dialog is displayed.

   

3. Select AdeptWindows PC and then click OK to close the Add a Program dialog.

NOTE: If AdeptWindows PC is not listed, do the following:Click the Browse button in the Add a Program dialog box. Navigate to the directory in which you installed AdeptWindows. By default, this directory is: Program Files\Adept Technology\AdeptWindows. Select the Vgb.exe file and then click the Open button. Click OK. Vgb.exe is added to the list. Verify that the box beside Vgb.exe is selected.

Close the Windows Firewall Dialog

1. Click the General tab to display that panel of the Windows Firewall dialog.

2. Verify that Don't Allow Exceptions is not selected (unchecked).

   

3. Click OK to close the Windows Firewall dialog.

4. If you haven't done so, you must access the Omni-NFS Server Configuration Center and map the user account permissions. See Configuring the Omni-NFS Server in the AdeptWindows User's Guide for details.

NFS Security Issues with Windows SP2

Perform this procedure if you receive a "Protection Error" while using Omni NFS Server. There are various causes for receiving a "Protection Error." Often, this error doesn't appear when using flash drives because Windows uses lower security protections for removable drives than for NTFS drives.

Step 1: Make sure the group and user account mapping has been set up correctly.

Step 2: Either open some ports on the Windows Firewall or completely disable the Windows Firewall.

Step 3: Check to see that the folder (directory) that you are trying to NFS share on the C: drive has an "Everyone" security object defined with "Full Control," as described in this procedure.

To check this configuration:

1. From Windows Explorer, click the folder to NFS share.
   

2. Click the right mouse button and select Properties from the pop-up menu. A dialog box with multiple tabs, including Security, is displayed.
   

3. Click the Security tab.

NOTE: If you don't see the Security tab in the disk/folder properties dialog box:
From Windows Explorer, select Tools => Folder Options and then click the View tab. Uncheck the Use simple file sharing check box. Click OK.

4. Click the Add button. The Select Users, Computers, or Groups dialog box is displayed.
   

5. Type "Everyone" for the object name and then click OK.

6. Select the Everyone object.

7. In the Permissions for Everyone field, select the check box beside Full Control and under Allow. Click OK.

 

Related Links

Installing the Omni-NFS Server

Configuring the Omni-NFS Server

Mounting an NFS Drive from the Adept Controller