Computers not able to access each other...

[Enkrypted]

I have this posted in a couple other threads as well. Hopefully I can get some help with this:

I have a small network consisting of a W2K Advanced Server and 4 Windows XP Workstations. The way it is currently setup is:

1. Cat5 cable going from DSL modem to WAN port on Linksys BEFSR41 router
2. W2K server and 2 workstations plugged into router
3. Cat5 cable going from uplink port on router to port on Linksys 5 port 10/100 switch
4. Other 2 workstations plugged into switch.

I currently have the DHCP client scope on the W2K server disabled and the DHCP function enabled on the router (had problems with it the other way). I changed the router IP address to 192.168.0.2. On the DHCP setup page within the router configuration I have my server's IP address listed in the first DNS box. I also have the starting address to be xxx.xxx.xxx.100.

When I go into computer management on the W2K server, under Services & Applications, the first listing is for DHCP. It has a white circle with a green dot inside of it. If I extend the tree beneath it, it shows the folder for the DHCP scope with a white circle with a red dot inside of it. Below that if I go to the DNS option and select the forward lookup zone for the server's domain name, I see 4 computer descriptions in the screen to the right. However it shows the listing for computers as:

User A : xxx.xxx.xxx.12
Server : xxx.xxx.xxx.101
User C (old name) : xxx.xxx.xxx.13
User C (new name) : xxx.xxx.xxx.13

All computers can ping the router at 192.168.0.2, and all computers can be seen in the contents of Entire Network and recieve internet access. However the only systems that can be accessed from each other are:

Server
User A
User B (not listed under DNS forward lookup zone)

When trying to access Users C & D, I recieve a message saying: \\(computername) is not accessible. The network path was not found. This just started happening today as yesterday everything was working fine.

I was wondering if you experts out there can help me figure out what I am doing wrong or suggest a better setup for the network, I would very much appreciate it. I know that this is probably not the best way to setup a network, but more of a temporary solution until I can get better equipment/setup. I was thinking about purchasing a D-Link switch (DSS-24+ model) and throwing another network card into the server and running through ISA 2000. Any suggetions are appreciated.

I have posted this thread in several different forums, hopefully I can get some insight on this. Thanks.

***Update***

I went out and bought the D-Link DES-1009G model switch. I plan on replacing the Linksys switch with this one. Does anyone have input as to the best way to configure this so the W2K server is running the DHCP instead of the router so all computers can be networked with internet?


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[rwullems]

Wel,

Let your W2K DHCP server assign with the ip adresses also a Default Gateway, this should be the internal IP adres of your router. You can also let your DHCP server assign the DNS servers of your ISP to your workstations.

This is all ONLY DHCP, if you want to use DNS inside your LAN, it becomes a completely different story, you have to install a internal DNS server for your internal domain with to possibilities there,

1. let your clients point to your internal DNS, and use forwarders to resolve DNS queries regarding the internet, or other no internal DNS namens

2. Let your DHCP server assign two DNS servers to your clients, the first your internal, that is NOT allowed to go outside and can only solve internal queries, second a DNS server of your provider were your clients directly go to resolve there queries if the internal DNS server cannot help them

Regards,
Robert

 

[bcastner]

Let the Win2k server handle DHCP and DNS, (disable DHCP on the router, set the device to "Router" and not "Gateway" mode).

You will never be happy otherwise.

On configuring the DNS side of Win2k, see my notes here: faq779-4017

Essentially you want the local machines to register their DNS addresses with your Win2k server, and forward non-local addresses to your ISP.

This is a relatively common requirement, but not easy. But it is critical that you remove yourself in this setting from the DHCP and Gateway services of this little router. This has to be an OS function to preserve your sanity now and in the near future.

 

[Enkrypted]

***UPDATE***

I was able to correct the problem. I had to remove each computer from the domain and delete the computer entry under AD. After deleting the computers, I rejoined each computer to the domain again and now they can all browse the network properly.

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