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jkpc21

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Client connecting to wrong DHCP Server

I have about 5 users who use laptops running windows xp on our network. Some of them (not all) get connected to the wrong DHCP server. When i do an ipconfig/all on these clients, i see the IP address of the DHCP server they are connected to is that of a Windows Server 2008 server that i have running. The problem is that the server is not configured as a DHCP server.

Why would some client be connected to the correct DHCP server and some would not? Any thoughts on how i can fix this?

Thanks
Avatar of OxygenITSolutions
OxygenITSolutions

DHCP should be allowed/blocked through your network equipment.
Anyone can configure DHCP on a laptop and cause issues on a network.

If you allow only one DHCP server through your network, then you should eliminate this issue.
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ASKER

How do i allow only one dhcp server on our network? The DHCP server they are connecting to is one of my server that is not configured as DHCP.

Thanks
if it is ansswering dhcp requests it is configured as such.  check the services for it.  it may also have dhcp-relay configured
Avatar of davorin
Maybe the DHCP server is not on that server, but you have in network another device with the same IP address and DHCP server enabled.
Have you tried to access that IP over web browser on the problematic PCs? Maybe this way you can find out what this device is.
That server is configured as a dhcp server. Click start-run type in services.msc and look for the dhcp service and stop it. Then go into configure my server and remove the dhcp role
Avatar of jkpc21

ASKER

Here is a screenshot of the server roles enabled on the server.

I also double checked all devices on the network and no other device is setup as a DHCP server and no other device is using the same ip address as the server.
Server-Roles.jpg
"and no other device is using the same ip address as the server."
Can I ask you how have you checked this?
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ASKER

I went through all internet enabled devices connected to our network.
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ASKER

When i type the ip address from the problomatic machine, it takes me to a IIS7 welcome page. Now IIS is installed on the server with that ip address.
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ASKER

It actually goes to the IIS7 welcome page when i type the ip from a working machine as well
OK, thanks.
That is a little bit strange as you don't have DHCP server installed on that machine as still it is acting as DHCP server. I have proposed to try that, because some users are connecting equipment to the network and administrators are not informed about that.
Do you have some other "third party" software installed on that server that it is acting as DHCP server.
Avatar of jkpc21

ASKER

Aside from the antivirus software, there is nothing else installed on the server.
Is the DHCP relay on your router pointing to your server?
Well, there is one test to be sure, but I think you can use it off working hours.
Connect only that server and a DHCP enabled client to a standalone switch and see what IP address it is getting the client. DHCP clients normally gets IP address from DHCP server who answers their request first.
What is IP address of that server? (192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1? )
On that subject, what is the IP address you are getting? It may be a self assigned one.
Avatar of jkpc21

ASKER

I just saw that the default gateway is also incorrect on the client machine. So not only is the dhcp ip address pointing to my server, the default gateway also has the same IP address.

The ip address that the client is getting is correct, its the default gateway and dhcp server thats incorrect.
Check the Gateway address. Type it into a browser and see if it asks you for a password and sometimes that reveals the source. Use http and https . If you recognise the gateway IP address, check that device.
And that is what?
I meant what IP address of DHCP server you get...
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ASKER

The gateway address that it is giving me is that same as the dhcp address it is giving me. When i type them into the browser it takes me to an IIS7 welcome page.
Try the suggestion at my comment ID: 34089008
do you have RAS setup on a Win server somewhere on your LAN?
Avatar of jkpc21

ASKER

No RAS server
Can you go start run \\gatewayipaddress\c$ or a known share on the problem workstation and one on a correct workstation and confirm it is in fact the same server and not some other server with the same ip.
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ASKER

I think i may have figured it out. On one of the machines that was having the problem i restarted the wireless zero configuration service and once i did that the machine picked up the correct information and was able to go online without any problems. I'll have to wait until tomorrow to test the other machines.
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jkpc21

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ASKER

The solution to the problem was to restart the Wireless Zero Configuation services on the client machines.