RAS NOT WORKING....HELP PLEASE 1

[Rockers]

Hi Everyone, Wonder if anyone can help

Are NT4 server has stopped accepting remote client logons, I tried stopping and starting the remote access service and restarting the machine but nothing happens.

Clients (Win98) get the following errors appearing.

1) Error: 650

The computer you're dialing does not respond to a network request.
Check your server type setting in the properties of the connection


2)Error 721: Remote PPP peer is not responding.

Eicon DIVA BRI (ISDN) is the card inside the NT4 server
and this dials out to our ISP fine.

Thanks

Rockers

 

[MaestroG]

What else is running on this server? I've had a RAS server complete stop connecting new attempts because the processor was getting pegged by an application and the memory load was very high. Something was stuck. The RAS server was our PDC and an application server and a file server and who knows what else at the time. Some application had consummed all available resources. That was plainly it! At different times, I either killed the app, or found out why it was hitting so hard (monthly reports running, etc) to decide if I could wait it out or even re-started the server.

If none of this applies, oh well...I just wanted to see if that might be it. If you've checked the connection and everything is working and all logic points to the OS as having the problem, I'd see if something is hogging resources. Also, SP6a addressed a lot of TCP/IP stack problems and updated the RAS again. Be sure you have the NT SP6a installed.

Good luck!

 

[Rockers]

MaestroG - Thanks for spending the time to reply

This server does everything as well (File/Print, Mail,Proxy,PDC)
I reinstalled SP6a last week to no-avail.
This has not been working for nearly a month now, it stopped working just after we cleared all the spam mail from
our mail essentials outgoing folder (we got relayed real bad).
You mentioned about high processor access, when we try to do things ie, change default url in ie5 properties, the desktop hangs ???? we have to kill explorer to get it back.
Do you think this could all be related????
Do you think I should try reinstalling RAS???

Thanks again

 

[MaestroG]

What changes did you make in Mail Essentials if any? You want to make sure it is functioning properly or no mail will be able to get in or out! (I'm sure you know this).

Are you running Exchange Server 5.5 since you mention Mail Essentials?

This is a tough one. When was last reboot? Also, uninstalling RAS, re-apply SP6a, re-installing RAS and again re-applying SP6a wouldn't hurt.

It's tough one...you're gonna have to look deep at it from all angles and at all levels. Unfortunately, you may need to stop all non-essential applications and check it then. Double check mail server, mail essentials, port accessibility (are ports 25 and 110 not blocked for some reason). There are so many variables...

I also heard that having the RAS running on the PDC is a bad thing to do because of authentication problems. If you had a fairly well powered PC that you could load server on and then RAS to separate it from the PDC, you'd be better off. But, I know we all like to dream!

Don't know much else to say besides "think like the computer" ;-) and take it one little piece at a time.

 

[Rockers]

Thanks MaestroG

We are running Exchange 5.5 and the only changes I've made was to specify in the mail essentials configuration properties to only relay mail from our domain (to stop anymore spam).
I've rebooted and tried to dial in to no avail, but I'm going to reinstall RAS tonight.

Thanks again for your help ) I'll keep you posted

 

[MaestroG]

Good Luck. I think you threw me when you mentioned mail essentials (ie the port 25 and 110 comment I made). Anyway, RAS is the issue!

I hope re-installing works for you.

Good Luck.

G

 

[Rockers]

No luck with the reinstall ((((
Do you think loading netbui on the server will help??

 

[MaestroG]

I'm not sure that you've proved that the protocol is the issue, however, RAS only uses PPP in your situation, which I think is a part of TCP/IP. NetBeui won't do you any good.

Rockers, I would suggest you throw this situation out on the Experts Exchange network (

http://www.nwfusion.com/go/ee.html

will get you there).

There are some highly experienced Network Administrators there that may have ran into this problem and will know how to help you.

Good luck again!
G

 

[Rockers]

Thanks for taking the time again MaestroG, desperation
is setting in so I'm trying anything (even considered a couple of tins and some string )
I'll headover to that link you suggested.

Cheers