No DNS=No Internet; DNS=Weird Stuff

[dheida]

We have a site we're connected to via frame relay. There are only two laptop users there and they both suffer from the same thing. When all network settings are set to automatic there is not Internet. Well, an ipconig /all shows no DNS but does show WINS. If I manually enter a DNS address Internet works but other stuff does weird things; ie the Terminal Services Home Folder doesn't connect correctly. So, the main question is why would I not get DNS? My router guy says it isn't the router.

 

[WhoKilledKenny]

When you say your network settings are automatic, you mean both IP and DNS are set up to obtain addresses from DHCP? If so then the DHCP server would give out those IPs. So I would look at two things.

1. Is the workstation setup to obtain DNS from a DHCP server? If it is, go to step 2. If it is not, then you need to Manually enter the IP for DNS or Set up a DHCP scope option that will configure DNS on the client.

2. Check for a Scope option on the DHCP server that assigns the DNS address and the domainname option. If it is set up then go two step 3.

3. Ask your Network guy if he is allowing DHCP broadcasts to traverse the router - This would need to be set up if your DHCP server is on a different subnet than the two clients. Cisico uses the IP Helper to accomplish this...

 

[SjrH]

If there are only two users at the site then why not manually assign the appropriate IP address and DNS/WINS settings to your two clients, then edit your local LMHOSTS files (c:\windows{or winnt}\system32\drivers\etc) and enter the WINS server details(xx.xx.xx.xx {tab} servername).

IIRC
WINS checks LMHOSTS before looking for your WINS servers on the network so can resolve the hosts for your Terminal server sessions.
DNS will check the server before querying the hosts file.

Otherwise check your scope options are correct and check for DHCP relay as WhoKilledKenny stated...

[small]Listen to those who know, believe in those that do[/small]

 

[dheida]

This may may need to move to a different forum. Our router guy is not internal and he may have forgotten, as I did, that this particular location has dhcp handed out by their router (most of the other locations are static). So, here are the dhcp settings in the Cisco router:
---------------------------------
no ip dhcp conflict logging
ip dhcp excluded-address 192.168.4.1 192.168.4.99
ip dhcp excluded-address 192.168.4.1 192.168.4.5
ip dhcp excluded-address 192.168.4.5
ip dhcp excluded-address 192.168.4.3
!
ip dhcp pool CLC
network 192.168.4.0 255.255.255.0
default-router 192.168.4.1
netbios-name-server 192.168.2.57
netbios-node-type h-node
--------------------------------
The "netbios-name-server 192.168.2.57" is the correct DNS server. I'm not a Cisco aficionado but I'll call my network guy and anticipate your responses. Also, manually setting IP and DNS causes some weird stuff, as I mentioned. I would like to get DNS working correctly in case it makes that problem go away. Thanks guys.

 

[lgarner]

netbios-name-server is unrelated to DNS. Check

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products..._guide_chapter09186a00800ca6b5.html#wp1001302

and look at the dns-server options.

As to the "weird stuff", that answer might come after DHCP is set up right.

 

[dheida]

Ok, I added "dns-server <ip>" to the router and he is automtically receiving DNS now. BUT, the "weird thing" is happening again now that he is receiving DNS. His default Home Folder (from AD) is defaulting to one directory level above his; he is seeing everybody's home folder. It is correct in AD, besides it works when he doesn't get DNS.

 

[WhoKilledKenny]

netbios-name-server in microsoft speak is your WINS server.
I would be hard pressed to say that a DNS entry would be causing an issue with the users home directory. You said the path is correct in AD, what does the path look like? \\servername\users\%username% or \\servername\%username% ?
In the two examples above (if one matches your config) where is the share created?

 

[GlenJohnson]

Just for jollies, check the laptops for old hosts and lmhosts files. On a different note, have you checked the security settings on where the home folder should be and the settings are coming from? Just a couple more options.

Glen A. Johnson
If you like fun and sun, check out Tek-Tips Florida Forum

 

[dheida]

I wouldn't have thought it makes a difference but it obviously does. The home directory is \\servername\users\%username% but while he has a DNS entry it is going to \\servername\users\. Here is something else, when I have them do a "net use" the mapping shows up correctly both with and withought DNS. When they open up Excel/Word/etc and do a file open, it comes up as \\servername\users\. It's a pain but they can just scroll down the list, find theirs, and go from there. I did check the lmhost files and they were empty.