DHCP problem

[ltruby]

Hello,

I am trying to figure out why all of a sudden DHCP on my network has stopped functioning and am looking for any tips.

I have a Windows Small Bus Server 2003 and about 11 XP Pro SP2 workstations. Everything WAS working fine. If I statically assign numbers most services seem to work. If I try to release/renew I get DHCP server can not be contacted every time. I have verified that DHCP is running, authorized and servicing clients. I have also restarted the service. Some other strange things are that I had this problem about a month ago and a reboot fixed the problem, or so I thought. At the time I set the dhcp lease to infinite so some of the pcs are functioning fine but I have laptops that need DHCP to work. I have done just about everything short of creating a new scope. There are NO error messages in any of the event logs re: dhcp or DNS. The server is the only DHCP server on the LAN. I can ping the server by name and IP address. (with a static IP) There have been some MS updates done, which could be a source but have not examined that route yet. I have also tried using a different switch with no change. Some things I am researching now are GPO and Windows firewall problems and network traffic. I don't have a sniffer but am working on that. Any ideas out there?

Thanks.

 

[pQi]

If they are running WinXP SP2, check your software firewall exception list. I would start by disabling the firewall on a client for starters, if this does not work.

Let me know

 

[ltruby]

Yes, that is one option I'm working on. I am trying to work through the group policy config and where to change that on the server. Sometimes there can be too many options...I'll re-post if that is the answer.
THANKS