I've built a POC lab at work for new ATM testing and I seem to be having a few browsing issues.

The set-up is as follows:

2 DC's - 2003 Server
1 SQL Server 2005 box - 2003 Server
2 App Servers - 2003 Server
1 Sophos Server - 2003 Server
1 WSUS Server - 2003 Server

Domain and Forest are at 2003 functional level.

All servers are using a static ip, 1 dns zone created for my domain - dev-atmdmz.net. DNS is on the 2 dc's using an AD integrated zone, all name resoluton and reverse look-ups are working okay.

I have one problem, although not sure if it is a problem but it's doing my head in. If I open explorer and go into My Network Places and select dev-atmdmz.net I only see 4 out of the 7 servers.

I see 1 DC,the 2 app servers and the Sophos server. The first dc, the sql box and the wsus server don't appear.

I've checked everything I can think of and can't seem to work it out.

I have the 2003 resource kit and used server manager which does find all 7 servers instantly, is this just Explorer being a pain or do I have a browsing problem.

Any tips would be appreciated, I know it's only a POC lab but I'd like to sort it out. I may have to dig my books out and refresh my knowledge of master browsers etc

Cheers

Hanley

 

Have you set the dns suffix correctly on each of the boxes?

Can you connect to the missing machines via unc path name?

Can you not seem them all from each machine, or does this just occur from one machine IYSWIM?

David

 

David

I see what you mean.

Each server will only list the same servers on My Network Places.

Every server can connect to each other via UNC paths, tested all that okay.

Using NETDOM to try and join pc to the domain via a script and it says can't find DC but if you use system applet in control panel and typ ein the domain it prompts you for the credentials - so it can see the DC.

Wierd

 

WINS?

Nothing to do with DNS btw, Browsing is done using NetBIOS.

What about that box in the network settings - Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP?

 

Not using WINS at all, why use WINS on a native 2003 domain??

Unless I've missed something

 

Many reasons, but I was just curious if you were using it.

 

Getting rid of WINS is a dream for most large commercial organisations that is a lot harder than people think. NetBIOS names are still extensively in hostnames, domain names, for trusts, for exchange, for applications, for exchange etc etc.

Very hard to eliminate it completely and succesfully.

 

I understand what you're saying, in our Corp domain WINS is still active but for this particular POC lab which consists of 7 servers, a few desktops and a few ATMs I didn't think it would be required.

 

KiwiGTI..

I know that!

And ditching wins isnt simple, unless a fresh install as you say!!

My theory was with DNS / Network connectivity if they are all on the same subnet and things are configured correctly..

Re: NetBIOS over tcp/ip... It would normally be configured via DHCP, and needs manually enabling when using a static, hence being overlooked..

I hate trying to fix things I cant see.. doesnt help that I wrote a script to do all the hardening and basic config of servers.. - Not for my benefit, but inconsistent *******!

 

Configured manually and set to enabled as DHCP is not being utilised.

Apart from this everything appears to be working okay so I'll probably just live with it unless it starts to cause major headaches.