Trouble connecting to the internet

[Fredagar]

Ok, here it goes. I have searched this forum (and a few others) and have physically read every relevent post (many hours and sore eyes) looking for a solution to my problem.

I have 3 computers networked through the house, all hardwired with cat5e, 2 xp pro, 1 2k3 server (server is just a workstation atm). All 3 units are connected to a 4 port router which is connected to cable modem. I can connect from all stations to all stations, I can connect to the internet from both xp boxes, but not from the 2k3 server box.

My goal is to get rid of the router all together and use the 2k3 box as server/firewall. Needless to say that if I can't get it to connect to the internet, the setup will not work. I have tried different cables, ports, nic's on the server box to no avail. The router firmware is the latest, and is set up correctly, so I can only assume that it is an issue with 2k3 svr. I just don't know where to look or what exactly to look for (new to server software). Btw, before the 2k3 install, the box had xp pro and connected fine.

Any help with this issue would be greatly appreciated.

[eyeball]

Hi, tell us the ip of all the devices including the router (obviously the internal range) and we will try to help you a bit more

[nitroshift]

you have to specify the dns servers on the w2k3 machine (under tcp/ip properties). Then to get rid of the router you must install either 2 more nic's on the w2k3 machine or use a switch. However, if you plan to use it as a server/firewall, it must be on all the time for the other 2 pc's to connect to the internet (or at least at the times when you want to connect to the internet).

[cluberti]

One other thing - if you installed a DNS server on the W2K3 box and are using said server for 'net resolution, make sure you don't have a "." domain - that'll kill 'net browsing (the . tells it it's a root nameserver, and since it isn't, resolution fails). Not saying that's what you've got, but if you do, this will happen. I would strongly suggest making sure your IP and DNS settings are similar to those of the XP workstation to make sure that isn't the issue.

[Fredagar]

Hi, tell us the ip of all the devices including the router (obviously the internal range) and we will try to help you a bit more

The ip's are as follows: box a xp pro, 192.168.1.100; box b xp pro, 192.168.1.101; box c 2k3, 192.168.1.102; router, 198.168.1.1, all nic's are set up manually to keep their respective ip's, so, say if the power goes out, when they boot again, they won't be assigned a different ip by dhcp.

As for the 2k3 box, it is set up with only a file server atm, as I said in my first post, new to servers and was unsure of what else to set up. I know I still have to do some configuring to do and have to install a couple more nic's. Leaving the machine on all the time is not an issue (all 3 run 24/7 now).

I am not quite sure of the servers/services to have running, dhcp if all the nic's are manually set? Nat for the firewall? Print server (all have their own printers) but to print to any of the others, or is sharing them good enough?

I hope this info helps you help me.

[eyeball]

dont have dhcp on if you want manually set IP's and if all three are using the router for internet access turn NAT on on the router.

from the server ping the router and if that works get the ip of google infact ill give you it 66.249.93.104 ping that and see if it replies, if it does then indeed dns is your problem.

check the nic settings on the server and make sure its using the router for dns and then check the router and make sure it either has your isp's dns servers in there manually or its retrieving them on its own

hope this helps

[Fredagar]

dont have dhcp on if you want manually set IP's and if all three are using the router for internet access turn NAT on on the router.

from the server ping the router and if that works get the ip of google infact ill give you it 66.249.93.104 ping that and see if it replies, if it does then indeed dns is your problem.

check the nic settings on the server and make sure its using the router for dns and then check the router and make sure it either has your isp's dns servers in there manually or its retrieving them on its own

hope this helps

The nic setting's were the culprit. Because I had set it up manually the dns options had to be set manually as well. When I set it up originally I didn't notice that. Thanks for your help.

[eyeball]

ok no probs and welcome to the boards

Edited April 17, 2006 by eyeball