70-216 - Urgent Problems!!!

Author

Urgent Problems!!!

hairy51

2003-09-05, 10:32 am

We have recently had all our switches changed and re-configured, and have been having a lot of problems in the last few days.

Basically, we have a lot of NT 4 clients (250) that cannot contact our DHCP server. We configured some with a static IP address to test, and have connectivity with everything (DHCP,WINS PDC etc.), we can ping everything and browse the network if we are logged on as local admin.
As soon as we attempt to log on with users accounts, we either get Domain controller cannot be contacted, or Domain not available. The problem is, that it seems to be completely random, some machines work, whilst others don't, some machines work one day, then not the next!

Also, the activity lights on the network cards and on the switchesz are going absolutlely mental, even when the computer is in an idle state.

If anyone has any ideas about this it would be much appreciated, i can provide more specific details if need be.
The college has 1500 machines and it opens on monday! ouch!

Cheers guys

jeff_j_black

2003-09-05, 12:09 pm

1) What is the server platform?
2) All clients on the same subnet?
3) Try putting the Domain Users group into the Administrators group of the local machine. Then log on as a user and verifiy if the client is getting an address.
4) Spurious network activity sounds like a lot of broadcasts being used for NETBIOS name resolution.

Here's a few articles that may or may not get the mental juices flowing.

Unable to Add Workstation to Domain: 'A Domain Controller for Your Domain Could Not Be Contacted'

Error Message: A Controller for This Domain Could Not Be Found

Error Message: Domain Controller for this Domain Could Not Be Found

hairy51

2003-09-05, 1:37 pm

Server Platform= Windows 2000 Server

(Think all win2k server except for Exchange 5.5 on NT4)

Yes, for some reason all clients have been put on one subnet (Servers are on seperate V-LAN)

wondering if DHCP broadcasts could have something to do with excessive network traffic?

Basically it is a bit of a mess, i am not in charge of configuring/designing the network and the bloke who is is a bit of a chump.

Will try and get a bit more info tomorrow when i go in.

jeff_j_black

2003-09-05, 2:03 pm

I thought seperate VLANS over switches require a router, is that the case?

Sponsored Links