Environment
Novell Client 2 SP4 for Windows
Situation
Bad Address Cache
If the Novell Client is unable to establish a TCP-level connection to a particular IP address, it stores that address in the Bad Address Cache. By default, bad server address cache is enabled, and unreachable addresses are stored in the bad address cache for the number of seconds defined by the "Bad Address Cache Timeout" setting. The configurable timeout can be as low as 30 seconds (the default value), but prior to Novell Client 2 SP4 for Windows, the bad address cache cannot be disabled.
Beginning with Novell Client 2 SP3 for Windows (IR8), the Client implemented a "Bad Name Cache", which is enabled by default. This bad server name cache can correct performance problems caused by delays in attempting to locate resources by name, which are not findable by the Novell Client. Once a server name is placed in the cache list, the Client will not again attempt to contact it for 5 minutes (not configurable), at which time the name is removed from the Bad Name Cache.
Resolution
Bad Address Cache
To disable the Bad Address Cache, configure the following DWORD registry setting:
Registry Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Novell\Client\Parameters\NSVCCOST]
Registry Value: "BadAddressCacheEnabled"
Set the data for "BadAddressCacheEnabled" to "0" to disable the Bad Address Cache, or to "1" to enable it. By default, the Bad Address Cache is enabled.
If enabled (either by default or by explicitly setting "BadAddressCacheEnabled" = 1), the bad address cache timeout is controlled by the the value of the Novell Client Properties, Advanced Settings, "Bad Address Cache Timout".
Bad Name Cache
To disable the bad name cache, configure the following DWORD registry setting:
Registry Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Novell\Client\Parameters]
Registry Value: BadNameCacheEnabled
Set the data for "BadNameCacheEnabled" to "0" to disable the Bad Name Cache, or to "1" to enable it. By default, the Bad Name Cache is enabled.
Additional Information
By using the related "BadNameCacheList" policy, it is also possible to pre-populate the Bad Name Cache, such that the Novell Client will never attempt to locate a given server. See TID 7015227, "Permanent Bad Name Cache."