Windows Server 2003 - Wireless and Wired Login problems
Hi Experts,
We have 2 labs with 30 Pcs in each lab networked to a Windows Server 2003 Standard DC.
Users login to acces their files, browse the web, print etc. There is no TS involved.
Until recenlty we had no problem with users logging onto the network until we introduced an additional 24 laptops onto the system.
Let me give you some background...
The laptops are stored on a laptop trolly and connect to the network via 2 wireless (11g) access points (12 per AP ) that are mounted on the trolly.
Both APs are connected to a switch that is also mounted on the trolly. A single Cat5 Cable runs from the switch to a CAT5 socket on the wall thus enabling students to log onto the network wirelessly.
The problems we are experiencing are:-
1. Some users cannot login when all laptops are being used together.
2. Some users in the wired PC laps also cannot log on.
3. Some users connect successfully and may randomly be "dropped" off the network (wired or wireless) from time to time.
4. we are constantly getting License usage reminders thus leading us to believe that this might be a licensing issue.
I believe that it might be an infrastructure problem. CAT5 Cabling and 10/100 switches are used throughout the school. There appears to be bottlenecks somewhere in the system
Your ideas would be welcome.
Many Thanks.
We have 2 labs with 30 Pcs in each lab networked to a Windows Server 2003 Standard DC.
Users login to acces their files, browse the web, print etc. There is no TS involved.
Until recenlty we had no problem with users logging onto the network until we introduced an additional 24 laptops onto the system.
Let me give you some background...
The laptops are stored on a laptop trolly and connect to the network via 2 wireless (11g) access points (12 per AP ) that are mounted on the trolly.
Both APs are connected to a switch that is also mounted on the trolly. A single Cat5 Cable runs from the switch to a CAT5 socket on the wall thus enabling students to log onto the network wirelessly.
The problems we are experiencing are:-
1. Some users cannot login when all laptops are being used together.
2. Some users in the wired PC laps also cannot log on.
3. Some users connect successfully and may randomly be "dropped" off the network (wired or wireless) from time to time.
4. we are constantly getting License usage reminders thus leading us to believe that this might be a licensing issue.
I believe that it might be an infrastructure problem. CAT5 Cabling and 10/100 switches are used throughout the school. There appears to be bottlenecks somewhere in the system
Your ideas would be welcome.
Many Thanks.
ASKER
Hi WayneATaylor,
Thank you for helping out.
The DHCP Address range is from192.168.1.20-254 so plenty there.
Regarding the login messages, there are primarily two..
1. No domain server is available. - primarily
2. A trust relationship error - randomly. Once I rejoin the laptop to the domain the problem is resolved.
Thank you for helping out.
The DHCP Address range is from192.168.1.20-254 so plenty there.
Regarding the login messages, there are primarily two..
1. No domain server is available. - primarily
2. A trust relationship error - randomly. Once I rejoin the laptop to the domain the problem is resolved.
Might be a DNS issue then, if the DNS server isn't configure correctly then the clients might not find a valid global catalog to verify the login info.
Worth checking what the clients have as a DNS server, IPCONFiG /ALL, and then that the DNS servers that are shown there know about your Domain.
We often see midconfigured domains where you have a DNS server in your DNS list, often set manullay or by DHCP, that is an Internet providers server etc, that of course won't know about your internal domain!
Wayne
Worth checking what the clients have as a DNS server, IPCONFiG /ALL, and then that the DNS servers that are shown there know about your Domain.
We often see midconfigured domains where you have a DNS server in your DNS list, often set manullay or by DHCP, that is an Internet providers server etc, that of course won't know about your internal domain!
Wayne
ASKER
thanks Wayne. will; check this int he mornignand let you know how I get on.
Hi,
For check if both AP are on different channels. Otherwise they might interfere with each other resulting in poor performance.
Another thing could be a bandwidth issue. 11g leaves net 20 mbps which divided by the 12 client is 1.6mbps per client. This can be tricky when using for example roaming profiles.
If possible try 11n on 5Ghz using:
For check if both AP are on different channels. Otherwise they might interfere with each other resulting in poor performance.
Another thing could be a bandwidth issue. 11g leaves net 20 mbps which divided by the 12 client is 1.6mbps per client. This can be tricky when using for example roaming profiles.
If possible try 11n on 5Ghz using:
short Guard Interval
greenfield mode
channel bonding
ASKER
Hi Wayne
checked each system and DHCP and DNS are fine.
checked each system and DHCP and DNS are fine.
ASKER
Hi RikeR,
Can you recommend a sutiable router /AP that would run at 11n perhaps with backward compatability to 11g?
Also, we are using Toshiba laptops that by default run at 11g. I do not see an option for 11n. Would I need to disable the built-in wireless and get perhaps an 11n (USB perhaps) nic?
Can you recommend a sutiable router /AP that would run at 11n perhaps with backward compatability to 11g?
Also, we are using Toshiba laptops that by default run at 11g. I do not see an option for 11n. Would I need to disable the built-in wireless and get perhaps an 11n (USB perhaps) nic?
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ASKER
Great starting point. Thanks again
The other thing I can think to check is that there are enough DHCP addresses available for all of the machine that are connecting.
When you say they can't login, what is actually happening, i.e. what error messages etc are you getting?
Cheers
Wayne