How to resolve internal network computer's names?

If the DNS is active directly integrated, it should update automatically. How is your DNS setup?

In this situation, I would move my DHCP scope to the SB Server. This will allow the Server to dynamically update DNS when DHCP changes.  

The client can do that without DHCP updating on their behalf. But...

1. The Lease must be moderately long so it doesn't change too frequently (long is anything greater than 1 - 2 days in this case)
2. Aging / Scavenging must be configured
3. A Reverse Lookup Zone must be configured (for IP to Name resolution)

You might consider moving DHCP to the SBS server anyway, I thought SBS complained endlessly if it wasn't the DHCP server (it's been a while though and I could have just imagined that).

Chris

Hi Everyone and thanks for your replies.
I have disabled DHCP in the router and activated it in the SBS. When looking at the DHCP control panel - Adress Leases I can now see the ip and the name of the computer:

Client IP Address: 192.168.1.130
Name: JDOE.domain.local

I created the scope with a 4 day lease time.

However, when using SBS for an nslookup I get:

> server 192.168.2.50
Default server: 192.168.2.50
Address: 192.168.2.50#53
> 192.168.2.144
Server:            192.168.2.50
Address:      192.168.2.50#53

** server can't find 144.2.168.192.in-addr.arpa.: NXDOMAIN

In my DNS configuration I have a Reverse Lookup Zone: 192.168.1.x Subnet but this doesn't seem to work. How do I configure Aging / Scavenging?

Thanks again!

Sorry, all IP addresses are 192.168.1.x, so:

> server 192.168.1.50
Default server: 192.168.1.50
Address: 192.168.1.50#53
> 192.168.1.144
Server:            192.168.1.50
Address:      192.168.2.50#53

** server can't find 144.1.168.192.in-addr.arpa.: NXDOMAIN

I guess no records are under the Reverse Lookup Zone at the moment then? Is Dynamic Updates enabled on that zone (in the properties for the zone)?

For Scavenging this article does a better job of describing it than I:

http://blogs.technet.com/networking/archive/2008/03/19/don-t-be-afraid-of-dns-scavenging-just-be-patient.aspx

If you have any questions about anything within that article I will happy answer them though :)

Chris

Thanks everyone!
I have changed the Dynamic Update settings according to lpacker comments and also on the Reverse Zone for 192.168.2.x

When I refresh the zone I now see 2 or 3 machines with their name! However I am missing the rest of the machines, the network is about 20 computers. Should I wait until the users disconnect and reconnect again?

I think we're getting very close.

Chris-Dent is right. I did say it in my previous post, however after re-reading it I couldn't understand what I said. All the client machines will need to register (request an IP address) from the SMB server before your DNS is syncronized. The client machines will do this on their own half-way through there lease expiration. However, you can force this behavior by releasing and renewing the IP address on each client machine.
Side-Note: If you check your DHCP leases, you may see a few NACK registrations. These entries can be deleted. It occurs when a client requests an IP address that is already in use. This will happen when switching DHCP servers.

Hi Guys!
I waited a couple of days (since my lease time is 3 days) to see if more hosts were reflected in the reverse zone. Just a few more have (still missing about 15), but it seems to be working. Perhaps in couple of more days all hosts will be updated?

Keep us informed.

Hi everyone.

Another couple of hosts have been added to the list, but it is taking a long time for the rest. I have pplied ipconfi /release - ipconfig /renew, disabled and enable the network cards but still not in the DNS.
Any clues?
THanks

Ensure there are no NACKs in the DHCP scope. If so, delete them.