Windows Server 2003 for Dummies

Check Those Network Settings: Again!

A host of things can be configured improperly or changed that will affect network operation. The following list of questions can help you sleuth about and find things that may have changed:

• Is proper addressing set (no duplicate addresses)? Each node on the network (including servers) must have a unique address and computer name . If you can't PING (PING is an IP utility discussed in Chapter 14) or see the computer in the browser or Active Directory, make sure its identifiers are correct.

• Are the services on server running? Sometimes the service you need stops running on the server. Choose Start Administrative Tools Services and check that the service is installed and running. Sometimes you need to start and stop a service.

• Are any errors logged in Event Viewer? Look in Event Viewer to see whether any errors have been logged (Start Administrative Tools Event Viewer).

• Are there any conflicting devices? Use the Windows 2003Conflicts/Sharing Manager to see whether any devices are conflicting with interrupt requests (IRQs) or memory. (Choose Start All Programs Accessories System Tools System Information Hardware Resources Conflicts/Sharing.) You can also look in Device Manager in that same area for more information.

• Are the proper domains available? Be sure that the proper domain controller for the server is up and running and that Active Directory is available.

• Are access rights assigned correctly? Be sure users have the proper rights to the groups and resources that they need to access.

• Are the proper shares set? Make sure that the resource in question is shared on the server and listed in Active Directory for all or some to see. Sometimes devices don't appear because they haven't been told to.