DLHamblin
asked on
Windows Server 2000 std dropping pings/network
We have a Windows 2000 server (std edition, sp4, patched) that on several times a day will seem to lose network connectivity. After suspecting this, I set up a continuous ping test on my PC to it. Sure enough, several times a day it will miss a couple to about 15 pings, during which people cannot access it. There are no events in the event log indicating it has had an issue or thinks it lost connecyion to network. It is a Dell 2650 with 2GB RAM, plenty of free disk space, Broadcom Netxtreme NIC connected at 1 GB. Here is what I've done so far:
Have verified NIC drivers and settings; they are current and correct.
-Went through Windows services, Network settings, Trend Micro A?V settings; found no issues.
-Switched ports on Nortel 5510 switch server plugged into; no difference (an no other servers on switch have had issues)
-Examined server event logs, no errors pointing to network cards or loss of connectivity.
-I started doing continuous pings with ever larger packets up to 20000 bytes, no drops or loss.
-I set up performance monitor and have been watching disk, memory, CPU etc and really don't see anything happening when the pings drop. It does seem to happen when the server is busy but its not pegged out.
At this point I am not sure what else to look at since its not showing any errors or issues except the momentary ping drops and loss of connectivity.
Have verified NIC drivers and settings; they are current and correct.
-Went through Windows services, Network settings, Trend Micro A?V settings; found no issues.
-Switched ports on Nortel 5510 switch server plugged into; no difference (an no other servers on switch have had issues)
-Examined server event logs, no errors pointing to network cards or loss of connectivity.
-I started doing continuous pings with ever larger packets up to 20000 bytes, no drops or loss.
-I set up performance monitor and have been watching disk, memory, CPU etc and really don't see anything happening when the pings drop. It does seem to happen when the server is busy but its not pegged out.
At this point I am not sure what else to look at since its not showing any errors or issues except the momentary ping drops and loss of connectivity.
samiam41
Have you tried using a new NIC? You did all the other trouble-shooting.
ASKER
Well, it does have a second Broadcom NIC (currently disabled); I will enable it and try it and see if any better.
Perfect. Let us know what you find.
ASKER
I ran a new LAN wire from the switch to the server, connected to NIC 2. I set the server to use NIC 2 (disabled NIC 1) and rebooted.
So far no missed pings and all is well. Because this is a production server I didn't have a lot of down time to play with so thats why I ran a wire and switched NIC's; so its looking like either the LAN wire that is on NIC 1 or the NIC itself (though like I said it passed all its software Diags).
I will monitor for a bit more and report. Strange, this wire has been in place for a couple years.
So far no missed pings and all is well. Because this is a production server I didn't have a lot of down time to play with so thats why I ran a wire and switched NIC's; so its looking like either the LAN wire that is on NIC 1 or the NIC itself (though like I said it passed all its software Diags).
I will monitor for a bit more and report. Strange, this wire has been in place for a couple years.
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ASKER
I kinda feel dumb, as since it had been working for almost a year it could be the LAN wire (or the NIC). Its not missed a ping (or dropped of) once since I switched.
Oh well, I learned to never assume anything :-)
Oh well, I learned to never assume anything :-)
Thanks for the points and grade! Always glad to see a solution work! Take care.