Workstations Lose Internet Access When Server is Disconnected

@Extraordinary - That's a good idea, I'm surprised I haven't done that already ..or maybe I did and simply don't remember. If I'm able to connect through the router AND after the server is disconnected, then I guess I'll have my answer. Will be sure to provide an update either way.

Thanks.

 

Good luck

 

Okay, so I tested out the connection from router to internet on a PC that is not on the domain. The connection fails unless the server is also connected.

There seems to be absolutely no way to connect to the internet unless the server is already connected. I cannot figure out how to remove the server from the equation and re-establish access to the workstations.

I'd appreciate any other ideas anyone has as my time frame for resolving this is growing short.

Thanks.

 

This is confusing.
Try a PC that never was part of the domain.
Then we can establish that the modem + internet is working ok.

Once we know that is working, we can pull the PCs off the domain onto it.

 

@Mufflore - When you say "Try a PC that never was part of the domain", do mean attempt to access the internet through that PC via the modem and/or router?

If so, I have tried that and it connects fine until I disconnect the server.

Thanks.

 

I mean use a PC that has never been connected to the server.
You need to establish that you can connect directly to the modem/router and get internet.
If the server is needed in any way, you are not connecting directly to the modem/router.

 

If you can't ping anything at all with the server powered down, it isn't a domain/non domain join issue, it's more fundamental than that.

Again if you can't ping the router, you don't have a DNS issue (or at least you don't ONLY have a DNS issue )

First things first - ping your gateway.

Statically allocate an valid IP, Mask, G/W and DNS to a workstation with the server off network.

(With your router as the G/W)

Ping the gateway.

Unless the server is actually routing IP traffic, or you have VLANs in the mix this must work.

 

@Mufflore
Okay, I'm confused then.

I used a PC that has never been connected to the server or part of the domain. I connected it to the router and I can get to the internet. The server which is in another area of the building, when disconnected terminates all connections throughout the building.

I'm unclear what else you want me to connect the non-server connected PC to. The main line is DSL and requires the modem to convert to a standard ethernet cable which means I can't directly feed the line to the PC, I have to go through the modem and/or router.

Sorry for the confusion, maybe I am just not picking up what you mean.

Thanks.

 

@grunger - Will do that. Tomorrow at earliest since I'll need to be on site to disconnect the server.

Thanks.

 

You are not connecting directly to the modem/router if removing the server downs the internet connection on a non domain PC.
It looks like internet traffic is routed through the server and isnt coming directly from the modem.

Can you find a basic network switch or hub.
Pull the network wires from the server and plug them into the switch or hub.
Now see if you can get internet access when the server is off.

 

@Mufflore - Understood. Will do that tomorrow along with @grunger's suggestion.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

Just a thought - I am assuming that the server only has a single NIC connected, is this the case?

 

Hi gang,

I went through most of the steps suggested and have only more questions than answers. In short, I was able to establish a connection through a single workstation while the server was disconnected by pulling an alternate cable coming from the wall. The result was all workstations losing access except for one. The confusing part is that the “one” workstation that had access in theory shouldn't since it's connected to the same hub as the others.

Since this is becoming more confusing by the minute, I've decided to describe the entire cabling setup in hopes someone can decipher the main line or where the disruption is occurring.

I really appreciate the assistance and patience!

• Imagine 7 rooms (A-G), each with 1 workstation.

• Room A also contains the server, 1 10-port hub and a dual ethernet wall jack with a dedicated port for a network printer and a port which receives the internet connection from Room G.

• The hub connects with the server, 1 workstation and both wall jack connections (printer & connection cable).

​

• Room G also has what appears to be the main DSL line (standard landline wall jack), a quad ethernet wall jack, 1 ISP provided DSL modem/router, 1 wireless router and 1 8-port hub.

• The quad ethernet wall jack directly connects Rooms A-D to the hub.
• The hub also connects with Room G workstation, the wireless router and a network printer (different from the Room A connection).
• The main DSL line feeds the ISP provided modem/router which then connects to the wireless router which connects to the 8-port hub.

​

• Room F has 1 dedicated wall jack which directly connects a networked printer to Room A.

• Room E has the 1 wirelessly connected workstation.

• Rooms B-D each have 1 workstation (no other connections).

Scenario A: If I disconnect the server from the hub in Room A:

• All workstations and server lose access.

Scenario B: If I disconnect the connection cable from the hub in Room A:

• The Room B workstation is the only system with access.

Scenario C: If I disconnect the connection cable for Room A from the hub in Room G:

• All workstations and server lose access.

Scenario D: If I disconnect the connection cable for Room A from the hub in Room A and connect it directly to the workstation in Room A:

• The Room A workstation is the only system with access.

Scenario E: If I connect the wireless workstation (Room E) to an outside source:

• It connects successfully.

Scenario F: If I connect a system not associated with (or ever with) the domain:

• It connects successfully unless Scenarios A-D are imposed.

I realize that is a lot to take in and might even be confusing, please let me know if I need to clarify anything or if more information is needed.

I am extremely grateful for any help!
Thanks.

 

@grunger - You are correct, a single NIC.

 

I hope you mean a switch, not a hub, I'm going to assume you do

Can you post and the results of ipconfig /all from
1. The Server
2. The Workstation in room A while connected to the switch
3. The Workstation in room A while connected directly to the router.

Also a the results of tracert 8.8.8.8 on each of the above.

 

I assumed the PC had 2 NICs, so my last guess wasnt correct.
To avoid complicating your troubleshooting, I'll let grunger continue.

I am wondering if there is a managed switch in there.
Just a thought if it helps

 

I've scanned through the last few posts and didn't come across this

Did you try removing the server and then factory resetting the router ?

 

@grunger - Do you need every line of tracert or are you looking pass/fail?

@Mufflore - Thanks for the help!

@Extraordinary - Didn't factory reset yet because I didn't want to damage the existing connection without having a solid new connection plan in place.

 

@grunger

Server:
ipconfig /all
Windows IP Configuration

Host Name...............: dc2​

Primary DNS Suffix......: <domainname>.com​

Node Type...............: Unknown​

IP Routing Enabled......: Yes​

WINS Proxy Enabled......: Yes​

DNS Suffix Search List..: <DomainName>.com​

Ethernet adapter Server Local Area Connection:

Connection Specific DNS Suffic..: ​

Description.....................: HP NC373i Multifunction Gigabit Server Adapter​

Physical Address................: 00-1C-C4-A8-C4-18​

DHCP Enabled....................: No​

IP Address......................: 192.168.1.131​

Subnet Mask.....................: 255.255.255.0​

Default Gateway.................: 192.168.1.1​

DNS Servers.....................: 192.168.1.131​

Tracert 8.8.8.8
Tracing route to google-public-dns-a.google.com [8.8.8.8] over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 <1ms <1ms <1ms 192.168.1.1​

2 24ms 23ms 23ms fl-71-2-40-129.sta.embarqhsd.net​

3 25ms 23ms 24ms fl-64-45-123-134.dhcp.embarqhsd.net [64.45.123.134]​

4 23ms 23ms 24ms 173-248-56-236.centurylink.net [173.248.56.236]​

5 24ms 23ms 24ms bb-wnpkflxe-jx9-02-ae0.core.centurytel.net [208.110.148.94]​

6 29ms 29ms 29ms 208-110-248-193.centurylink.net [208.110.148.193]​

7 29ms 48ms 28ms bb-miauflws-jx9-01-ae0.core.centurytel.net [208.110.148.101]​

8 28ms 29ms 44ms 72.14.119.248​

9 28ms 28ms 28ms 209.85.153.118​

10 39ms 39ms 40ms 216.239.38.192​

11 43ms 38ms 39ms 209.85.148.31​

12 * * * Request timed out.​

13 372ms 388ms 425ms google-public-dns-a-google.com [8.8.8.8]​

Trace complete.​

Room A Workstation connected to Switch:
ipconfig /all
Windows IP Configuration

Host Name...............: amd-pc​

Primary DNS Suffix......: <domainname>.com​

Node Type...............: Hybrid​

IP Routing Enabled......: No​

WINS Proxy Enabled......: No​

DNS Suffix Search List..: <DomainName>.com​

Ethernet adapter Server Local Area Connection:

Connection Specific DNS Suffic..: ​

Description.....................: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller​

Physical Address................: 18-A9-05-B5-7B-5A​

DHCP Enabled....................: Yes​

Autoconfiguration Enabled.......: Yes​

Link-local IPv6 Address.........: fe80::d0cf::9dc2::aaa3:7996%10(Preferred)​

IPv4 Address....................: 192.168.1.110(Preferred)​

Subnet Mask.....................: 255.255.255.0​

Lease Obtained..................: Friday, May 03, 2013 12:08:36 PM​

Lease Expires...................: Friday, May 10, 2013 3:01:21 PM​

DHCP Server.....................: 192.168.1.1​

DHCPv6 IAID.....................: 234890837​

DHCPv6 Client DUID..............: 00-01-00-01-12-C7-A4-3D-18-A8-05-B5-7B-5A​

DNS Servers.....................: 192.168.1.131, 192.168.1.1​

NetBIOS over Tcpip..............: Enabled​

Tunnel adapter isatap.<521E8D85-C6BE-45A4-825A-8E62015D15D2>:

Media State.....................: Media Ddsconnected​

Connection-specific DNS Suffix..: ​

Description.....................: Microsoft ISATAP Adapter​

Physical Address................: 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0​

DHCP Enabled....................: No​

Autoconfiguration Enabled.......: Yes​

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

Media State.....................: Media disconnected​

Connection-specific DNS Suffic..: ​

Description.....................: Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface​

Physical Address................: 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0​

DHCP Enabled....................: No​

Autoconfiguration Enabled.......: Yes​

Tracert 8.8.8.8
Tracing route to google-public-dns-a.google.com [8.8.8.8] over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 <1ms <1ms <1ms 192.168.1.1​

2 104ms 23ms 23ms fl-71-2-40-129.sta.embarqhsd.net​

3 * 26ms 40ms fl-64-45-123-134.dhcp.embarqhsd.net [64.45.123.134]​

4 23ms 23ms 22ms 173-248-56-236.centurylink.net [173.248.56.236]​

5 23ms 24ms 23ms bb-wnpkflxe-jx9-02-ae0.core.centurytel.net [208.110.148.94]​

6 29ms 29ms 51ms 208-110-248-193.centurylink.net [208.110.148.193]​

7 29ms 29ms 29ms bb-miauflws-jx9-01-ae0.core.centurytel.net [208.110.148.101]​

8 29ms 29ms 28ms 72.14.119.248​

9 28ms 29ms 28ms 209.85.153.118​

10 39ms 39ms 39ms 216.239.38.192​

11 39ms 38ms 39ms 209.85.148.31​

12 * * * Request timed out.​

13 39ms 38ms 38ms google-public-dns-a-google.com [8.8.8.8]​

Trace complete.​

Room A Workstation connected to router
ipconfig /all
Windows IP Configuration

Host Name...............: amd-pc​

Primary DNS Suffix......: <domainname>.com​

Node Type...............: Hybrid​

IP Routing Enabled......: No​

WINS Proxy Enabled......: No​

DNS Suffix Search List..: <DomainName>.com​

Ethernet adapter Server Local Area Connection:

Connection Specific DNS Suffic..: ​

Description.....................: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller​

Physical Address................: 18-A9-05-B5-7B-5A​

DHCP Enabled....................: Yes​

Autoconfiguration Enabled.......: Yes​

Link-local IPv6 Address.........: fe80::d0cf::9dc2::aaa3:7996%10(Preferred)​

IPv4 Address....................: 192.168.1.110(Preferred)​

Subnet Mask.....................: 255.255.255.0​

Lease Obtained..................: Friday, May 03, 2013 12:08:36 PM​

Lease Expires...................: Friday, May 10, 2013 4:06:49 PM​

Default Gateway.................: 192.168.1.1​

DHCP Server.....................: 192.168.1.1​

DHCPv6 IAID.....................: 234890837​

DHCPv6 Client DUID..............: 00-01-00-01-12-C7-A4-3D-18-A8-05-B5-7B-5A​

DNS Servers.....................: 192.168.1.131, 192.168.1.1​

NetBIOS over Tcpip..............: Enabled​

Tunnel adapter isatap.<521E8D85-C6BE-45A4-825A-8E62015D15D2>:

Media State.....................: Media Disconnected​

Connection-specific DNS Suffix..: ​

Description.....................: Microsoft ISATAP Adapter​

Physical Address................: 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0​

DHCP Enabled....................: No​

Autoconfiguration Enabled.......: Yes​

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

Media State.....................: Media disconnected​

Connection-specific DNS Suffic..: ​

Description.....................: Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface​

Physical Address................: 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0​

DHCP Enabled....................: No​

Autoconfiguration Enabled.......: Yes​

Tracert 8.8.8.8
Tracing route to 8.8.8.8 over a maximum of 30 hops

1 <1ms <1ms <1ms 192.168.1.1​

2 22ms 23ms 23ms 71.2.40.129​

3 26ms 25ms 28ms 64.45.123.134​

4 34ms 23ms 23ms 173.248.56.236​

5 24ms 23ms 24ms 208.110.148.94​

6 29ms 29ms 29ms 208.110.148.193​

7 29ms 29ms 29ms 208.110.148.101​

8 28ms 28ms 28ms 72.14.119.248​

9 29ms 28ms 28ms 208.85.153.110​

10 40ms 38ms 39ms 216.239.38.192​

11 39ms 38ms 39ms 209.85.148.57​

12 * * * Request timed out.​

13 39ms 39ms 38ms 8.8.8.8​

Trace complete.​

Ignore last post, included the full Tracert anyway.

Thanks.

 

I hadn't asked about the possibility of a managed switch yet, I was waiting before getting into that
I was beginning to wonder if there were some VLANs in the mix here...