LXR Software Support

Tech Notes


Technical Bulletin: Running LXR*TEST 6.0 Web Test on Local-Based IIS (6/17/2002)

Procedure:
User successfully builds a web test on (Microsoft) IIS of local machine (which is unplugged from a client-server network), has set up sufficient file sharing and file access permissions, and attempts to run the web test.

Error:
The web test fails to run; in fact, user receives error messages typically associated with insufficient file access permissions. For an example of such error messages, click here to visit the web page for troubleshooting "Web Exam Errors".

Diagnosis:
Local servers (i.e., IIS of local machine) appear as a network connection to the Windows OS. Disconnecting a client machine from the network causes the TCP/IP and DHCP connection to be dropped by the Windows OS. Once this connection is dropped, both network servers and local servers (i.e., IIS of local machine) are no longer accessible by the Windows OS.

Resolution:

1. Plug the client machine back into the network.
2. If option A is unavailable (e.g., a laptop is being used on travel for demonstration purposes), then there is a method to tweak a Windows registry setting to prevent the TCP/IP and DHCP connection from being dropped when the client is unplugged from the network:
   
   CAUTION: You should only make changes to the Windows Registry if you have had prior experience in making such changes. Unintended changes to Windows Registry values could cause unintended system effects as a result.
   
   
   1. From within the Windows Registry, locate the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters
      
   2. Add the following new DWORD value (case is sensitive):
      
      Name: DisableDHCPMediaSense
      Value: 1
      
      This registry setting will disable the DHCP Media Sense application. With Media Sense disabled, the Windows OS will not drop the network connection when the network cable is disconnected. Thus, the Windows OS will continue to have access to the local IIS server.
      
      Note: Side effects of using this technique is that the DHCP connection could be reassigned while the network cable is disconnected, and that the assigned DHCP connection would no longer be valid if/when the client machine was reconnected to the network.