prtrs' static ip addr's are from DHCP address pool??? 2

[aprilw]

We have to intermittently stop & start the win2k server's print spool to get the printers printing again. I searched thru prev posts & have learned that it would be a good idea to move the prt spool to a different partition that has more free space (c drive has only 550MB free).

However, I read a prev post whose answer said to make sure that the printer's static ip addresses should NOT be from the DHCP addresses. Could this also be adding to our intermittent problems printing? When I go into DHCP server, it shows the address pool to be .10 -.75. However, our printers have been set to .11-.15.

(fyi- I'm desktop support for a small 12-user ntwk, but I'm not specifically server savvy.)

 

[buddafish]

what is your lease duration set to? open the dhcp manager, right click the scope, choose properties

scottie

 

[dkediger]

Yeah - They are definitely sitting in the DHCP pool, unless those have been specifically excluded from the pool.

I would suggest changing the pool address range to .20 - .75, then renew the leases at the workstations - easiest done by rebooting the workstations.

 

[aprilw]

-scottie: the lease duration is 30 days.
-dkediger: is changing the pool address range as simple as changing it in the dhcp manager, rt-click on scope, properties, & then put in a new "start ip" address & "end IP" address? OR- should I rt-click on address pool & "add new exclusion range" there?

Then to renew the leases at the workstations, don't I only need to be concerned with the wksta's that now are leased to the range below .20 only? OR are all wksta's no matter what IP, are affected? Thanks!!

 

[dkediger]

You could do it either way, six of one/half dozen the other. I use exclusions in the address pool:
DHCP Scope = Entire 192.168.1.x subnet
Exclusion = .1 - .9 for routers/switch IPs
Exclusion = .200 - .254 for servers/printers/other special hardware.

Don't forget to restart the DHCP service after making changes. Right click on the DHCP server object, All Tasks, Restart.


And yes, you would only need to renew the leases on the workstations outside the newly created range.

 

[aprilw]

Glad you said to restart the DHCP service, in retrospect it sounds obvious, but I wouldn't have known. I appreciate the detail.

Lingering Question: could this described situation cause some intermittent printer problems?

For my situation, (and considering my knowledge level on servers) I think I'll just add an exclusion for .1-.15 for my printers. Sound ok? The server is already out of the dhcp scope range at .100. And I'm definately not good in the router area as to know what IP address it is.

I'll do all of this before most users come in next week. Thanks a million!!

 

[aprilw]

Also- to restart DHCP service, I imagine it is the DHCP SERVER vs. the DHCP client?

 

[dkediger]

I'm not sure what specific problems it might cause, but communication issues with the server would most likely be an issue if another client was handed out that address.

Basically, having those static addresses in the dynamic range isn't helping anything, and in your case, its an easy fix.

And yes, you just need to restart the DHCP server service. You can do this in the DHCP MMC with the menu options off of the top level server object.

 

[buddafish]

aprilw,

i asked about the duration time, cause if it was set to something really low that would force a re leasing (updating the lease), then it would be possible that the printer could lose out if it turned off when it's time was up, and then another machine or device could get it's old address and since the printer is located by it's ip, then yes... that would be a problem...

anyway, as dkediger has assisted you with setting up these printers outside of a dhcp address block, then once you refresh everything, you can rule this out. any device that needs to be consistantly found (server, printer, router, firewall, ect...) needs to have a static ip. (or reservation if you choose).

so did you move that print spool? cause you need room for big things like docs and spreadsheets, ect to spool out before it gets to the printer. if there is no space for this to happen, then yes, you can see performance issues like you have described. i have addressed this myself on older nt servers with small primary partitions and the default spooler location..

best of luck
scottie

 

[aprilw]

Got it! I inherited this network a year ago. It looks like it was WinNT and upgraded to Win2k and the primary hard drive has only 500MB free. The secondary hard drive has 3.75GB free so I hope that moving the spooler there will help! Thanks much!

 

[aprilw]

This morning I moved the print spool to the bigger hard drive & excluded the printer addresses from the dhcp address pool. I then rebooted the server (just in case it was needed, I didn't want to find out later when everyone got in...)

QUESTION: I noticed a difference in one printer that seems to have the trouble of needing the spool to be reset to continue printing. In DHCP manager, Address Leases, the printer's Type=None & under Lease Expiration= Reservation(inactive). The other printers have their Type=DHCP & Reservation=active. Could this be indicative of any intermittent printing problems also?

 

[DRitchie60]

Hi,

We have 3 sets of printers (2 per set). Each set of 2 printers is pooled. All printers are assigned static IP's.

Windows2000 Server seems to choose a "primary" printer in each pool, where all print jobs will go unless 2 print jobs are sent simultaneously, where Windows will then send the 2nd job to the 2nd printer in the pool.

We'd like to flip the 2 printers in each pool, so that the secondary printer becomes the primary printer. All this to equalize the workload between the 2 printers in the pool.

Can someone suggest how to do this?

Thanks,
DRitchie60

 

[aprilw]

I'm new to this forum, but according to other forums I've used, you usually get better responses by making a "new topic." (Unless of course your question is DIRECTLY related to a CURRENTLY dated topic- which you question is only slightly related to this thread due to it being about printers.)

 

[buddafish]

depending on the printer brand, check the priority settings in the properties (advanced?). the integer value is the determines what printer is used first if in a printer pool.

so write down what values they have and switch'em around.

scottie