Network Neighborhood missing clients 1

[SATech]

I have a problem when viewing our domain in Network Neigborhood (not OS specific) doesn't show all of our workstations, all the time. I've managed to isolate it to specific subnets that the problem focuses on but am at a loss at how to remedy it. The strange thing is that once in a great those workstations magically show up, only to disappear the next day. Something is causing clients on these subnets to pop in and out of view (mostly out). My network printers with IP addresses on one of the problem subnets show up just fine. That may be because the print server they are installed on is on a "Good" subnet. Can anyone shed any light on this subject?

Thanks,
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sjv

 

[peterve]

You mentioned 'different subnets', so this means you are already using WINS.

are all clients registered in your WINS server(s) ?
Are those WINS server(s) replicating properly ?

In the 'bad' subnet, do the clients get a full 'network neighborhood' ?

Peter Van Eeckhoutte
peter.ve@pandora.be

 

[TechyLike]

This is a hunch, but have you recently installed a Windows 2000 server in the area?

We find that Win2K servers win the Browser election away from the PC as they are a 'higher' operating system. To remedy this, just disable the browser service on all your W2k servers.

On the other hand, if you dont have any Win2K servers, get yourself the Resource Kit and get "Browser Manager". Configure your local PC to the subnets you are having problems with and see which machine is the Master Browser - the problem lies with that machine.

Hope this helps!

 

[Jpoandl]

Are you seeing EVENT ID 8003 errors in event viewer on your servers? In a segmented network, you may be having Master browser Election problems (forced elections). This is very common in a routed environment. The problem with forced elections is that a 9x machine may take over browsing roles. This can cause problems. 9x machines have a limited cache size for maintaining the browsing list. If the number of computers in your environment takes up more space then the 9x machines can handle, you will have an incomplete browse list.

The first step it to look for Event ID 8003 errors on your servers (system log).

Next, I would use resource kit tool BROWMON and BROWSTAT
to determine who is the master browser. (Browstat -status)

You could also check your WINS database to see who is master browser (Check in wins "BH" = Domain Master Browser )

Really need more details about your specific problem. But a common mistake is to forward UDP broadcasts on routers.

I am most familiar with Cisco routers. There is a feature called IP Helper. Many people turn this on so that DHCP broadcasts can be passed through routers. However, they fail to realize that when they turn on IP Helper, the default configuration will also all UDP Netbios broadcasts to pass through routers. On a Cisco swith, you must manuall turn off port 137 and 138. This may solve your problem too..

Here is more information:


From what I read, if IP an Helper address is spcified and UDP forwarding is enabled, many different types of broadcast packets are forwarded by default (ports 37, 49, 53, 69, 67, 68, 137, 138).

The documentation suggests that ports 137 and 138 should be disabled. This will allow the brower service to function as it was designed.

These are the Technet Articles I referenced:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q135/4/64.asp

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q190/9/30.ASP

-Hope this helps.. Joseph L. Poandl
MCSE 2000

 

[SATech]

In response to your question Peterve, all clients are brought up on the network the same identical way, which includes a static IP, WINS/DNS. As for replication, I'm not for sure if the WINS servers are replicating properly...is there a simple way way to find out? Clients on the ghost subnets can see the network neighborhood the same as those that reside on the visible subnets...still missing the clients on those subnets in question.

TechyLike...no W2K servers on my domain. The Browser Manager program is a thought - I will check into it and post back when complete.

Thanks,
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sjv

 

[SATech]

Thanks Jpoandl...lots to absorb there - I most definitely have my starting points now. I'll post any progress I make to this thread in the future.

Thanks to all for the "Professional" insight...it's very refreshing to finally stumble on a discussion group backed with a wealth of experience!
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sjv

 

[Jpoandl]

(Thanks...tek-tips is pretty good. There are many very smart technical people here that contribute...I like this site.) Joseph L. Poandl
MCSE 2000

 

[peterve]

if you want to know if WINS is replicating well
First go to WINS manager and see when the last replication occurred,

next add a static mapping into WINS server 1
(for example 'TESTMACHINE')
wait for replication to occur
try to ping TESTMACHINE from a client that is using WINS server 2
if it resolves, then your WINS replication is working well... Peter Van Eeckhoutte
peter.ve@pandora.be