MS-DOS 6.22 Workgroup Network Utility Guide

In MS-DOS 6.22, network connections in workgroup environments are managed primarily using the NET.EXE command utility, deployed as part of the Microsoft Workgroup Connection (or the Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS). This article explains the role of NET.EXE, how it facilitates peer-to-peer and client-server connectivity, the core commands used to manage shared resources, and the underlying configuration files that enable workgroup networking in a DOS environment.

The Role of NET.EXE and Workgroup Connection

MS-DOS 6.22 did not feature built-in, native peer-to-peer networking directly out of its standard installation disks. To connect an MS-DOS machine to a local area network (LAN) operating on Server Message Block (SMB) protocols—such as Windows for Workgroups 3.11 or Windows NT—administrators relied on the Microsoft Workgroup Connection package.

The core administrative and operational tool in this package is NET.EXE. This command-line utility serves as the unified interface to start network drivers, log in to domains or workgroups, browse network resources, and redirect local devices (like drive letters and printer ports) to remote network shares.

Key NET Commands for Workgroup Management

Network administration in MS-DOS is performed by passing arguments to NET.EXE. The most critical commands include:

  • NET START: Loads the network redirector, protocol drivers, and initializes the network interface card (NIC). It can be executed with specific switches (e.g., NET START WORKSTATION) to load services into memory.
  • NET LOGON: Prompts the user for a username and password to authenticate against the workgroup or domain controller.
  • NET VIEW: Displays a list of active computers within the current workgroup, or lists the shared resources available on a specific machine when formatted as NET VIEW \\COMPUTERNAME.
  • NET USE: Connects or disconnects local system resources to network shares:
    • To map a network folder to a drive letter: NET USE E: \\SERVER\SHARE
    • To disconnect a mapped drive: NET USE E: /DELETE
    • To redirect a local printer port: NET USE LPT1: \\SERVER\PRINTER
  • NET LOGOFF: Closes active network connections and ends the current user session.
  • NET STOP: Stops network services and unloads components from memory when possible.

Configuration and Driver Architecture

The NET.EXE utility relies on several background drivers and configuration files to interface with hardware:

  1. CONFIG.SYS: Loads the Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) architecture, specifically the protocol manager (PROTMAN.DOS) and the specific NDIS driver for the installed network adapter.
  2. AUTOEXEC.BAT: Typically executes NET START during boot to automatically initiate network connectivity and drive mappings.
  3. PROTOCOL.INI: Defines the hardware settings for the network card (such as I/O port, IRQ, and MAC settings) and specifies the network transport protocols used, such as NetBEUI, NWLink (IPX/SPX), or Microsoft TCP/IP.
  4. SYSTEM.INI: Stores workgroup identity settings, including the default workgroup name, computer name, and redirector configurations (basic redirector versus full redirector).