JeremeT
asked on
SBS 2011 Essentials DNS & Active Directory Errors
I have a SBS 2011 Essentials server which has recently started giving me problems. The server gets really slow and different functions on the server stop working like file sharing and print sharing. When I try to restart the server it can take 30+ minutes for it to completely shut down and start back up. After a restart the server runs fine for 6-12 hours then it start having the same problems.
I'm seeing a ton of Event ID 1206 (Active Directory Web Services was unable to determine if the computer is a global catalog server) errors in the Event Viewer. Once these errors start then I start see other DNS errors in the Event Viewer like - Event ID 4000 & 4015.
I'm seeing a ton of Event ID 1206 (Active Directory Web Services was unable to determine if the computer is a global catalog server) errors in the Event Viewer. Once these errors start then I start see other DNS errors in the Event Viewer like - Event ID 4000 & 4015.
ASKER
I'm following the default setup of SBS 2011 Essentials where the server acts as the DNS and DC and the router handles DHCP. The router IP is 192.168.1.1 and the server IP is 192.168.1.12 which was dynamically obtained from DHCP on the router.
From my understanding with SBS Essentials I should not have to set an IP address or DNS server address under TCP/IPv4 Properties on the server's network adapter. I should be able to select "Obtain automatically" for both the IP and DNS. Is this correct? Or do I need to set the DNS server address to the 192.168.1.12 (which is the server's dynamic IP)?
From my understanding with SBS Essentials I should not have to set an IP address or DNS server address under TCP/IPv4 Properties on the server's network adapter. I should be able to select "Obtain automatically" for both the IP and DNS. Is this correct? Or do I need to set the DNS server address to the 192.168.1.12 (which is the server's dynamic IP)?
I would avoid using the router for DHCP - the problem is most routers specify the router itself as the DNS server - this is fine for a workgroup - but not a domain.
Its essential that all machines in the domain use the SBS server as their ONLY DNS server, otherwise they can't use DNS to locate local machines and network services.
You need to disable DHCP on the router and configure DHCP on the SBS server and have it specify the SBS server as the DNS server - the clients can be left to 'Automatic' if you do this.
Its essential that all machines in the domain use the SBS server as their ONLY DNS server, otherwise they can't use DNS to locate local machines and network services.
You need to disable DHCP on the router and configure DHCP on the SBS server and have it specify the SBS server as the DNS server - the clients can be left to 'Automatic' if you do this.
ASKER
I understand in a traditional server environment the server should handle DHCP and DNS. But (correct me if I'm wrong) SBS 2011 Essentials was designed to have the router handle DHCP. I would like to move DHCP to the server but right now it is not possible and I need to get the server working the way it is suppose to with DHCP on the router. Are you familar with SBS Essentials and how it is different than SBS Standard?
You MUST have the DNS server settings issued by DHCP point to the SBS server. If you can set the router to do this (some can), fine. If not you have no choice other than to configure DHCP on the server.
ASKER
I have the DNS IP set to 192.168.1.12 (server IP) in TCP/IP v4 Properties on the server. Here is an ipconfig /all from the server - http://screencast.com/t/ORTmh5anf
Do you see anything wrong? Right now the server seems fine.
Do you see anything wrong? Right now the server seems fine.
You MUST have the DNS server settings issued by DHCP point to the SBS server.This is not actually true in SBS 2011 Essentials, because of the UPnP beacon. It's counter-intuitive, and I don't like it for that reason (plus it's another thing that can go wrong), but Essentials is designed to work with a dynamic IP and with the router handling DHCP. It can work the other way, of course, but it doesn't have to.
JeremeT, I don't see anything wrong with the configuration in your screenshot.
ASKER
The server has been running a few hours now. The same Event ID 1206 (Active Directory Web Services was unable to determine if the computer is a global catalog server) errors and DNS errors Event ID 4000 & 4015 are occuring again. It appears the Event ID 1206 error happend first then the DNS errors start.
SOLUTION
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ASKER
1. Yes. No hardware issues I am aware of.
2.
(1) Intel Core i5-650 3.2GHz 4M LGA1156 Processor
(4) Crucial 2GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory
(1) Intel DQ57TM Motherboard
(1) 500GB (2X500GB) 7.2 RAID 1 Mirror
(1) Systemax Tower S775 VLS Chassis Base
(1) 24X DVDRW Dual Layer SATA Black
(1) Logitech B100 Optical USB Mouse
(1) Logitech K120 USB Keyboard
3. No
4. See attached.
dciag.txt
2.
(1) Intel Core i5-650 3.2GHz 4M LGA1156 Processor
(4) Crucial 2GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory
(1) Intel DQ57TM Motherboard
(1) 500GB (2X500GB) 7.2 RAID 1 Mirror
(1) Systemax Tower S775 VLS Chassis Base
(1) 24X DVDRW Dual Layer SATA Black
(1) Logitech B100 Optical USB Mouse
(1) Logitech K120 USB Keyboard
3. No
4. See attached.
dciag.txt
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
I let the server run all weekend and experienced the same behavior. The errors start occuring in the Event Viewer under Active Directory Web Services and DNS Server and the server slows way down. Then if I restart DNS all errors clear and the server runs fine for 1-3 hours. Then the errors start up again the cycle repeats.
Memory on the server seems fine. It runs around 2.55 GB out of 8.00 GB. CPU useage is low usually at 0% spikes up around 30-40% from time to time.
I updated all drivers last week but the issue has continued.
Memory on the server seems fine. It runs around 2.55 GB out of 8.00 GB. CPU useage is low usually at 0% spikes up around 30-40% from time to time.
I updated all drivers last week but the issue has continued.
SOLUTION
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ASKER
Looks like it was a bad driver. I replaced / updated the Intel Rapid Storage driver and the server has been running fine the last few days without any errors in the Event Viewer.
Also check that all clients (both static and DHCP) use the SBS server ONLY and the DNS server