JSI Tip 8780. You receive 'The RPC Server is unavailable' when you create an external trust between a Windows NT 4.0 domain and a Windows 2000 domain?

When create the subject external trust, and add the Windows NT 4.0 domain to the Domains that trust this domain entry on the Trusts tab in the Windows 2000 domain Properties, Active Directory Domains and Trusts displays The RPC Server is unavailable.

When you run net view \ on the Windows 2000 domain controller, you may receive:

System Error 64 has occurred.
The specified network name is no longer available.

These problems will occur if SMB (Server Message Block) Signing is enabled on the Windows NT 4.0 PDC.

To resolve this issue, use either of the following:

Method 1

Disable SMB Signing on the Windows NT 4.0 PDC:

1. Set EnableSecuritySignature and RequireSecuritySignature to 0 on the Windows NT 4.0 PDC.

2. Shutdown and restart the Windows NT 4.0 PDC.

Method 2

Prior to enabling the trust on the Windows 2000 domain controller:

1. Open a CMD.EXE windows.

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

net use \IPC$ /U:

3. When prompted, type the password and press Enter.