asked on

Servers are not appearing in list of network computers

On my client's network, we are running a SBS2011 server and a server 2008 R2 fileserver. When the Windows 7 workstations go to the Network list (via Computer > Network) the two servers are not showing up, even though you can easily type in the \\servername and browse their resources. Everything works fine, Outlook, fileshares that are already mapped, etc. The only indication that something is wrong is that when you click the network link, it shows all of the other network resources EXCEPT for the two servers.

SOLUTION

epohl

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

Digital_Skream

ASKER

Yes, Under Home/Work, public, and Domain Settings, turn on network discovery is selected.

epohl

Are the windows 7 machines joined to the domain ? Are all machines on the same subnet?

Digital_Skream

ASKER

Yes. Everything was working fine, and still does - some of the time. All machines have the SBS server as their only DNS server, and the SBS server is using the loopback address as its DNS server.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Skyler Kincaid

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

Digital_Skream

ASKER

You can have member servers on a SBS domain with no problem.

Interesting point about ICMP... I will check that.

Skyler Kincaid

Try disabling Windows Firewall on the servers and workstations and see if you are able to see them. Also make sure that NetBIOS is enabled on the NIC of the server and that the Computer Browser service is started.

The computers that you see in Network Neighborhood are created by NetBIOS broadcast. It may be disabled in the TCP/IP settings. Also make sure the NetBIOS name doesn't have any symbols.

Digital_Skream

ASKER

In my OP, I had stated Server 2008 R2, SBS 2011, and Windows 7. None of these use NetBIOS or Computer Browser service - which is what you are referring to. NETBIOS is not supported by IPv6, which is why in newer OS's, it is disabled. And, since none of the machines are running legacy OS's such as Windows 2003 or XP, I do not use Computer Browser service... it is disabled on all machines. AD searches and DNS were intended to replace it in the 2008/Win7 generation of OS and later. So while I appreciate your response, it doesn't help me with my problem.

SOLUTION

Skyler Kincaid

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

Digital_Skream

ASKER

It is standard practice for Computer Browser service to be disabled - it is the default setting in Server 2008.
I tried enabling computer browser on all machines... it wreaked havoc with the network.

Spent some quality time with the BPA on the DC, and found that some critical updates had been HIDDEN and never installed by the previous admin. After unhiding and installing them, and nice reboot, the servers have been showing up in the Network and in net view lists without fail.

Don't ask me why he hid them... probably for the same reasons that he migrated them from SBS2003 to SBS2011 by creating a whole new domain, and manually recreating everything in the new domain, rather than just migrating. still shaking my head over that one.

Digital_Skream

ASKER

Even though the answers given did not solve my particular problem, they would have solved it in other circumstances. partial credit given to multiple people.
Thanks for the assist.