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Intermittent File share/ server access issues

  • 09-02-2009 12:21pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭


    Hi im kinda new to MS Sever 2003 SP2

    But ive been haven this problem for a few weeks not and looks to be getting worse

    Whats happen is:

    One out the 9 computer that is using the server and a file server was not able to access it and then all of a shouden he could - but then it completely stopped work when the computer was moved - i ran a Cat5e cable and it looked to be fine after that

    But now 2 more computer or not able to connect to the server but there able to access the internet-

    First i thought it was the PC's but not its looking to be an intermittent problem with the server - but im not to sure which way to trouble shoot it

    all the computer are added to the domain and are set to DHCP and the server is only use for a file server

    Anything that i can try would be great

    Thanks

    Somanynames 90


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Comments

  • Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,357 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    Open your security logs on your file server and look for the machine name


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    Ok i was looking at it again to night

    *All the computers are set to DHCP
    *All are connected to a 16 port switch
    *Eircom is the ISP set to DHCP
    *Running Windows Server 2003 SP2
    *There a Domain Controller and also DNS Server
    *File server
    *Wins server also also

    when i go to start and run and type \\server or \\192.168.1.1 it can either come up striaght away or it takes a long time to bring up the window with all the folders

    Some times

    This problem is very imtermiant but its happens with in minutes

    I spent a few hours today from 4:40PM till about 7:00PM trying to unber stand what is happin but im none the wiser

    I took a copy of the Logs but not sure how to read them in terms what do i have to do

    The Lay out the place is 9PC(Wired) and one Dell Server(512MB, 2.8Ghz, S 2003) and the ISP is Eircom

    Any one any ideas

    Thanks

    Somanynames90


  • Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,357 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    Have you checked your DHCP leases to check that there's no conflicts?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    How do i do that ?
    check the DHCP leases ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    I rang ping tests to
    ping server -t
    ping 192.168.1.1 -t

    and all off them worked fine - but i was not able to access the files on the server


    Somanynames90


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  • Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,357 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    DHCP snap in for MMC.

    What sort of permissions do you have set on the shares? What sort of account are you using to log into the dodgy machine with?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    Do you have skype or MSN


    I just look at the snap in - there is no DHCP
    DHCP is all done by the Eircom Router whick is also provides the internet


  • Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,357 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    Are all the machines the same build?
    Are all the accounts being logged into with the same account?
    Are these accounts in AD?
    Are the machine accounts in AD?
    Are all the machines accounts in the same OU?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    feylya wrote: »
    Are all the machines the same build?
    Are all the accounts being logged into with the same account?
    Are these accounts in AD?
    Are the machine accounts in AD?
    Are all the machines accounts in the same OU?

    Are all the machines the same build?
    All XP

    Are these accounts in AD?
    Yes

    Are the machine accounts in AD?
    All but one due to i could not get it back on the domain

    Are all the machines accounts in the same OU?
    Unsure what you mean


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    I just got into the Eircom Box and the Lease time is 1 Hour


    If thats any use?

    S


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  • Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,357 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    I just reread your original post - is the Server DHCP?


  • Registered Users Posts: 314 ✭✭Alzar


    Check the speed of the network card on the server. There may be a mismatch between it & the port on the switch? Are you in work?

    Al.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    NO - the server is not acting as DHCP - the Eircom Box is doing the DHCP

    Im not in work at the Monment but im remotly connection to all the machines

    S

    Checked the Port Speed there all working at 100MBPS


  • Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,357 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    Does your server get it's IP address from DHCP?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    No the Server has a Static IP - 192.168.1.1
    Eircom is 192.168.1.254
    Gateway for the computers/ server is 192.168.1.254


    and gives out the lease rang of 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.253


  • Registered Users Posts: 314 ✭✭Alzar


    I think it may be a mismatch between the speed & duplex set on the port & the server. What i mean is the network card could be set to 100Mb/Full Duplex whereas the port maybe hardcoded to 100Mb/Half Duplex ot the port could be set to Auto/Auto.

    Personally I don't go touching NIC settings while working from home. Much prefer to be onsite. Too many lost connections & unaccessible servers.

    As a little aside, i'd recommend setting up a DHCP scope on your server & removing it from the Eircom Router. I don't know how you feel about it.

    Al.


  • Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,357 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    So it gives out an ip of 192.168.1.1 while the server is staticly set to 192.168.1.1. See any problem there?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    Alzar wrote: »
    I think it may be a mismatch between the speed & duplex set on the port & the server. What i mean is the network card could be set to 100Mb/Full Duplex whereas the port maybe hardcoded to 100Mb/Half Duplex ot the port could be set to Auto/Auto.

    Personally I don't go touching NIC settings while working from home. Much prefer to be onsite. Too many lost connections & unaccessible servers.

    As a little aside, i'd recommend setting up a DHCP scope on your server & removing it from the Eircom Router. I don't know how you feel about it.

    Al.

    If I done that would it help with the file server access ???

    Thanks

    S


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    feylya wrote: »
    So it gives out an ip of 192.168.1.1 while the server is staticly set to 192.168.1.1. See any problem there?

    Sorry i Typed that wrong - i understand how IPS work cos its static on server, the lease range

    is 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.253


    sorry for the typo


  • Registered Users Posts: 314 ✭✭Alzar


    @feylya - is there conflict detection a eircom router? I don't think so?

    @Somanynames90 - first off I would change the dhcp scope on the router from
    192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.253
    to something like
    192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.120

    You only have 9 pc's right? You don't need 250 odd ip address' available for 9 clients.

    Al.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    Alzar wrote: »
    @feylya - is there conflict detection a eircom router? I don't think so?

    @Somanynames90 - first off I would change the dhcp scope on the router from
    192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.253
    to something like
    192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.120

    You only have 9 pc's right? You don't need 250 odd ip address' available for 9 clients.

    Al.


    Cool I will try that - can i give either of yous a call

    Just need to get my head around this


  • Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,357 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    Alzar wrote: »
    @feylya - is there conflict detection a eircom router? I don't think so?

    Doubt it.

    Please keep everything on thread, solely for the reason that it might help someone in the future


  • Registered Users Posts: 314 ✭✭Alzar


    What is the card speed & duplex set to on the server?
    Do you have access to the switch?

    Al.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    Alzar wrote: »
    What is the card speed & duplex set to on the server?
    Do you have access to the switch?

    Al.

    theres no GUI with the switch just 16 ports

    and the card is Broadcom NetXtreame 5721 Gigabit Controller

    and looks to be set to 100 full


  • Registered Users Posts: 314 ✭✭Alzar


    What make is the switch, as a matter of interest?
    You have the latest drivers installed for the NIC too?

    First off

    !!!! I don't recommend doing this remotely !!!!

    You could try changing the NIC speed/duplex to Auto/Auto
    If the switch is hardcoded to something other than 100/Full, the card should perform better.
    If you do this, it will drop your remote connection, but it should come back & you will be able to reconnect.

    Al.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    Alzar wrote: »
    What make is the switch, as a matter of interest?
    You have the latest drivers installed for the NIC too?

    First off

    !!!! I don't recommend doing this remotely !!!!

    You could try changing the NIC speed/duplex to Auto/Auto
    If the switch is hardcoded to something other than 100/Full, the card should perform better.
    If you do this, it will drop your remote connection, but it should come back & you will be able to reconnect.

    Al.

    I dont know the name of the switch sadly -

    why do u think its the speed (full / half etc)


  • Registered Users Posts: 314 ✭✭Alzar


    I dont know the name of the switch sadly -

    why do u think its the speed (full / half etc)

    I took the info from your first/second post - can access the server sometimes but no problem accessing the internet through the router.

    "when i go to start and run and type \\server or \\192.168.1.1 it can either come up striaght away or it takes a long time to bring up the window with all the folders

    Some times

    This problem is very imtermiant but its happens with in minutes "

    We had a similar issue in work & it turned out to be a speed/duplex mismatch.

    I'm not trying to be smart assed here, but have a look at this:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duplex_mismatch
    It will explain it better than I could ever do.

    I certainly hope I'm not sending you off on a wild goose chase here, but your problem does sound so familiar to our problem.

    Al.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    Alzar wrote: »
    I took the info from your first/second post - can access the server sometimes but no problem accessing the internet through the router.

    "when i go to start and run and type \\server or \\192.168.1.1 it can either come up striaght away or it takes a long time to bring up the window with all the folders

    Some times

    This problem is very imtermiant but its happens with in minutes "

    We had a similar issue in work & it turned out to be a speed/duplex mismatch.

    I'm not trying to be smart assed here, but have a look at this:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duplex_mismatch
    It will explain it better than I could ever do.

    I certainly hope I'm not sending you off on a wild goose chase here, but your problem does sound so familiar to our problem.

    Al.

    Ok - I set the Server to 100 Full it was set to auto

    S


  • Registered Users Posts: 314 ✭✭Alzar


    So the NIC on the server was set to Auto/Auto.
    You've now set it to 100Mb/Full.

    Guess the thing to do now is to test the change. I suppose you'll have to wait until you're back in work.

    Remember if you need to undo the change, it will drop the NIC for a short time while it reconfigures itself.

    Will you update the thread with the results - good or bad?

    Ta!
    Al.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭somanynames90


    Alzar wrote: »
    So the NIC on the server was set to Auto/Auto.
    You've now set it to 100Mb/Full.

    Guess the thing to do now is to test the change. I suppose you'll have to wait until you're back in work.

    Remember if you need to undo the change, it will drop the NIC for a short time while it reconfigures itself.

    Will you update the thread with the results - good or bad?

    Ta!
    Al.


    Sure thing - Ive change all the computer to 100 Full Also


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