Windows Server 2003 Roles/Networking (Need serious help here)

[Lino]

Ah ha, here is the problem I think. Since all 22 computers are connected to 1 switch, there will be major issues. The DHCP servers on the other Windows Server boxes will be handing out addresses as well, and the moment your XP client(s) try to obtain an address, it gets one from the other server(s). There is no way you can force the XP machine to get an address from your particular server, as DHCP is broadcast based. Whichever server responds first to the client's request issues the address.

If your computers were on their own switch, you wouldn't have this issue. I don't suppose the switch supports VLANS either, which could avoid the rest of the noisy network, but I don't know anything more about VLANS.

This is why in a domain, your DHCP server needs to be authorised, so that there is only one handing out addresses. Other DHCP servers are called rouge servers, and will cause the issues you are having.

If possible, get or make a cross over network cable, and join your 2 machines directly, to avoid making use of that overcrowded switch.

That's a rather dumb move by the college, letting the machines all be connected to one switch. I'm sure other students have had and will have the same problem.

Thank you very much for your reply. Unfortunately I doubt very much the lecture would let me use a cross over cable. Many students have had this very problem. I will just have to go and do my practical exam tomorrow.

However if I fail it (which one is required to get 100%) to pass it, so due to this utter balls up. I will end up failing, however I will take it further.

Wish me luck with my exam

 

[Asha'man X]

Good luck mate, I truly hope it all goes well tomorrow. After the nonsense you've had to put up with, it will be justice for you to come out with 100%

If things don't go well, go speak to somebody high up at the campus and lay a complaint. If the college knew anything about what they were teaching, they would know not to put all 22 on one switch. Get fellow students who have the same problem and lay a group complaint or something. If just one person was struggling, then maybe it could be a mistake, but if multiple people are having it, it says a lot.

Let us know hoe the exam goes please. Just brush up on your theory tonight really well. Run the steps through in your head from start to finish. I find it helps to visualise it like that.

 

[ghalied]

Ah ha, here is the problem I think. Since all 22 computers are connected to 1 switch, there will be major issues. The DHCP servers on the other Windows Server boxes will be handing out addresses as well, and the moment your XP client(s) try to obtain an address, it gets one from the other server(s). There is no way you can force the XP machine to get an address from your particular server, as DHCP is broadcast based. Whichever server responds first to the client's request issues the address.

If your computers were on their own switch, you wouldn't have this issue. I don't suppose the switch supports VLANS either, which could avoid the rest of the noisy network, but I don't know anything more about VLANS.

This is why in a domain, your DHCP server needs to be authorised, so that there is only one handing out addresses. Other DHCP servers are called rouge servers, and will cause the issues you are having.

If possible, get or make a cross over network cable, and join your 2 machines directly, to avoid making use of that overcrowded switch.

That's a rather dumb move by the college, letting the machines all be connected to one switch. I'm sure other students have had and will have the same problem.

True to and extend, when you assign a machine a static IP and then afterwards allow it to request a DHCP IP, the client will always ask the DHCP server the IP it already holds, if it's available it will be granted that IP it not the next host IP will be assigned.

 

[Lino]

Hey guys, wow after all the advice here. The stuff we actually had to do on the pc's. Worked out fine without a hitch. The rest, diagrams etc, well we do not speak of.

Fortunately DHCP was not asked, however domains etc worked perfectly.

Thanks to everyone

 

[Lino]

Yay, got my marks back and passed everything with flying colours. Thanks again everyone

 

[ghalied]

Congrats !!