server2003-trouble logging on client

Hi everyone.

I'm new to Server2003, I've had a bit to do with it at the technical college I go to, but very little. I'll be doing more this semester, but I'm keen to do some extra study, so I'm doing a home study type course, which came with an evaluation copy of Server 2003. I'm running that on my main machine, and I have one client computer running Windows XP Pro.

I've set up the DHCP server and all of the other things associated with it-DHCP and WINS services, and set the scope and lease ranges. I've installed active directory. I've also created several users and made them members of groups and Organisational units.

My problem is the client computer is not receiving an IP address, and when I try to join the domain and log on to the domain controller from the client computer I get a message telling me "A domain controller for the domain justin (that's my domain name) could not be contacted. ...etc, etc."

I have the two computers connected by a crossover cable-is this the problem? Do I need a router or a switch?

I have checked to make sure that DHCP and DNS are running ok on the server and client machines. I have also pinged both NICs to make sure they work ok. I know the cable works ok.

Any ideas, help, etc, gratefully accepted,

Justin

 

If you only have two computers, a cross-over cable between the two is fine.

Do you have any other connections from the server (for example, modem or a second network card). It could be that DHCP is not bound to the correct NIC.

If you only have the one connection, I'd start by setting up the client PC statically. If you can get it working with a static IP, this will show that you have a DHCP problem rather than a more general connection problem. Therefore, set the IP address of the client like this:

• IP Address = Same subnet as server but not the same as server. So if server is 10.0.0.1, use something like 10.0.0.100 for the client.
• Subnet Mask = same as server
• Gateway = IP address of server
• DNS = IP address of server
• WINS = IP address of server (system should work without this setting - so optional)

 

So you can ping from either end.

Does the server see the station and the station see the server in My Network Places?

And if a network browse does not succeed then rt click My Network Places and Search for computers, put in the Computer name like Justin (not \\Justin).

Do one of the above work and the other not?

And what error message? Not found, Access denied or You do not have permission..... etc.

Let us know.


Mike

 

problem solved

Dear mflynn and ReggieB,

Thankyou for all of your advice. After hours of frustration and reinstalling the Domain Controller, checking cables, etc., etc., I realised I had missed out a step - I hadn't authorised DHCP! Once I did this everything started behaving as it should!

I now have a deep sense of satisfaction, that only a true nerd can understand, having finally set up my own server.

Thanks again guys,

Justin

 

Great!!!

Mike

 

I know that feeling.

Well done!