Odd Networking Issue

[circulent]

Out network is domain-based with 15 XP-Pro clients and a Win2003 server running DNS, WINS and file serving capabilities. Also, DHCP is run off the firewall, with the DNS address hard coded into each client's network settings.

What's odd is that the server sometimes see the clients, but other times it doesn't. We can't even ping them or see them in My Network Places sometimes.

Any thoughts as to why this is happening?

Thanks

 

[NJForensics]

A couple suggestions with respect to your current network setup.

1. Get DHCP duties away from the firewall and give them to your 2003 server.
2. You say that DNS is hard coded, which I assume to mean is that you have statically set a DNS address for each network card in your workstations. Is the DNS set to the firewall or the server?
3. If DNS is set to the firewall then that is your whole issue.
4. Install DNS on the server immediately if it isn't already.

AD relies on DNS from the server to accurately identify clients on your network. You will see that once your server is handling all DHCP/DNS requests, that you will begin to see all clients and the clients themselves will operate more smoothly.

Chris Clancy, EnCE,CCE
Miles Technologies

 

[circulent]

Chris,

As for your 4 points, #2 is correct by that the DNS address is statically set to the DC/DNS server.

However I agree that AD relies on DNS on the server.

We will try this on March 1 with this client.

Thanks