Unable to set up SBS 2003

[npbaker1]

I am trying to get my SBS Server to see the other computer on my network as well as vice versa. I am unable to ping either computer from the other one. I am trying to set up a domain but when I try to view

http://servername/connectcomputer

from the client computer I always get an unable to display page message. The 2 computers are connected with a router and I have gone in and disabled dhcp on the router and enabled it on the server but I am still having no luck doing anything. PLEASE HELP.

 

[LWComputingMVP]

What are your network's DNS settings? Did you reboot the clients after you turned off DHCP on the router and enabled it (presumably through the appropriate wizard)?

Most common cause of name resolution and logon problems is incorrectly configured DNS.

 

[npbaker1]

Ok am I correct in that the DNS Server should be the IP address of the server computer?

 

[58sniper]

The server should be pointing to itself for DNS. In your DHCP scope, you should be giving out the server address (AND ONLY THE SERVER ADDRESS) for DNS. Workstations should only ever look at the SBS box for DNS.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[npbaker1]

Ok I have decided to start over from scratch and have reformatted and reinstalled SBS on the server. I am in the process of going through the to do list. I currently have done the internet configuration however I do not know what to put in for the IP Address of the preferred DNS Server. Also when I put in the IP Address for the router that is listed in the router manual I get a message saying that it could cause connectivity issues. Currently I went ahead and used that IP Address and am online but am not sure that it is configured correctly as I can ping that IP Address but if I try to view it to view settings on the router it will not display. If someone could let me know if I am doing this correctly I would appreciate it.

Nate Baker

 

[Danny28]

The DNS Address for the server should be its own LAN address. Then, go to START-> RUN. Type dnsmgmt.msc and press enter. Right click your server and left click properties. On the interface tab, make sure the top portion shows ONLY LOCAL and your servers LAN ip. On the forwarders tab, be sure that ALL OTHER DNS DOMAINS is selected and that your ISPs two or three DNS server IP addresses are in the list. Restart your DNS service. Also be sure that your SBS server is the DNS and DHCP source for your network. You have to make sure that the DHCP services on your router are disabled. Provided this has been done, then your workstations on your net will obtain their settings and send all DNS requests to your server.

 

[TechSoEasyMVP]

The recommendation made by Danny28 is not correct for configuring an SBS (which surprises me because he just made a comment in another thread stating that improper SBS configurations are due to people bypassing the wizards!)

You should always configure your SBS's network settings with the Configure Email and Internet Connection Wizard (CEICW -- which is linked as Connect to the Internet in the Server Management Console > To-Do List). The forwarders are configured in this wizard as well.

A visual how-to is here:

http://sbsurl.com/ceicw

and a full networking overview for SBS is at

http://sbsurl.com/msicw

Within that wizard you'll see a "more information" button on each screen that has invaluable help in deciding which options to select.
Be sure to check those out as well.



Jeffrey B. Kane
TechSoEasy

http://www.techsoeasy.com

Blog:

http://techsoeasy.spaces.live.com

 

[Danny28]

I meant, you can use the console I said to check and make sure that the settings are set the way I described. If they are not, you can run the wizard.