router and exchange/server 2000

[ianedwards]

Hi

I have an adsl modem router that I have replaced eight times. I have now discovered that if I turn of the server2000 (which has exchange 2000 onit) then the internet works perfectly. However if I leave the server on then the ADSL router requires a reboot every 15 minutes or so.

COuld it be something to do with dchp as the router is set to that

Does anyone have any ideas?

thanks

Ian

 

[WhoKilledKenny]

Your 2000 Server, is it running anything other than Exchange? Is it running AD and DNS?

 

[WhoKilledKenny]

The only thing that comes to mind is that your 2000 server is running DNS. Your clients are pointing to your 2000 server as the preferred DNS and to your ISP as their alternative DNS. When your 2000 server is up, your clients are querying it to resolve names on the Internet, and it fails. When your 2000 server is off-line, the clients attempt to use the alternative DNS (ISP) as they can't find their preferred DNS. Using the ISP DNS they are able to resolve names and surf the web. That's my thinking...

So, if that is the case. You should set your 2000Server DNS to forward name resolution to your ISPs DNS server.
How to:

http://www.petri.co.il/configure_dns_forwarding.htm

 

[kmcferrin]

If the server is running Exchange then it has to have AD installed, and AD requires DNS. WhoKilledKenny is definitely on the right track, I think.

On a related note, why do some people advocate setting up DNS forwarding to the ISP's DNS rather than just installing root hints? I suppose if you're forwarding to your ISP's DNS servers then you're not generating extra traffic on the root DNS servers, and you're adhering more closely to the distributed vision of the Internet. But then you're also way downstream from the roots, and every further hop downstream is one more opportunity for you to be affected by a DNS poisoning attack. You'll also be at the mercy of the ISP if they decide to do something funny with their DNS.

 

[WhoKilledKenny]

kmcferrin makes a good point. Personally I use root hints (more for name resolution redundancy), I don't set up a forwarder to my ISP. I could only guess that it would depend on who your ISP is. They may only allow DNS queries to their DNS servers. Your guess is as good as mine...

My rule of thumb is to use root hints whenever possible, maybe someone will chim in with a better explanation.