SBS Possible DNS Issue - Only Affects Vista Clients

[gavm99]

Hi all,

I have a new SBS Server which is doing the usual DNS, DHCP and WINS roles on the network.

The problem I have is that Vista client machines are getting Page Cannot Be Displayed from time to time when using the Internet.

Things I have tried / what the problem isn't:

1) It is not the Internet connection itself.

2) It is not an Internet Explorer issue, Firefox does the same.

3) XP clients work fine.

4) If I set the Vista clients up to use the router as their DNS server then all works fine.

I suspect it is something to do with the way Vista uses DNS on the LAN??? Any ideas??

Thanks.

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"Nobody cares how it works, as long as it works

 

[gavm99]

Ok I have a further update:

This does also affect XP clients so it being a Vista problem is clearly not the case.

Now I would say it is either a DNS issue on the server (but there are no reported errors) or it could be the switch I am using for the network.

I am going to try a different switch and see what happens, does anyone have any other ideas though?

Thanks.


----------------------------------------
"Nobody cares how it works, as long as it works

 

[gavm99]

Ok I'm still getting Page cannot be displayed and then a few seconds later it is fine from time to time. This affects XP but is worse on Vista. It also doesn't matter if you are on a wired or wireless connection. This problem has only become apparent since the introduction of a new SBS Server which is doing doing DNS and DHCP. If you use DHCP and DNS on the router, taking the server out of the equation then all works fine.

I have tried:

1)Changing the switch on the LAN
2)Restarting DNS on the server
3)Putting into DHCP first of all the internal DNS address and then the 2 external ISP DNS Servers and handing these out.

But still no joy, does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.

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"Nobody cares how it works, as long as it works

 

[petrosky]

gavm99,

It is often a good idea to start with the basics and move up from there...
On the clients that are playing up, I would suggest doing an IPCONFIG /ALL to insure they are being assigned correct gateway and dns information.

Then I would try a repetitive PING test to the gateway to see whether you have physical network problems on the LAN.

Also, make sure you only have your server fulfilling the DHCP role. IE. Turn off the DHCP component of the router.

HTH.

Peter.

Remember- It's nice to be important,
but it's important to be nice

 

[markdmac]

DNS Settings

Set all static NIC TCP/IP properties to only list internal DNS servers.

In DHCP set the DNS setting to internal DNS servers.

In DNS, configure ISP DNS on the forwarders tab.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

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