WellingtonIS
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Servers and desktops not communicating
I'm having a weird issue and I can't figure this out. My client had to shut down his office due to a storm. When we brought the servers and desktops back on line, nothing is communicating. My first thought was the switch, however, I just replaced it and I'm still having the same issue. I can not ping from one server to another it times out. However, if I plug in the internet modem I can talk to the internet. As soon as I put everything back on the switch, nothing. This is an un-managed switch. I'm out of ideas.
ASKER
that would be ok however, the two servers that have static IPs can't talk to one another either.
Have you checked netmasks...if everything is as it should then my best guess it install 1 extra NIC on each server and try again....i assume that neither ping works and the firewalls are set to OFF...
ASKER
Yes and nothing has changed. You assume correctly. Change the NICs or add an additional one. I have link lights too.
Just before you change everything just get a simple switch like 5-8 port and connect only the servers....1 cable from 1 server to switch and 1 cable from the other server to the switch ....no outlets ...just 2 cables to 1 switch...Or Use a crossover cable and connect them directly if you have one or you can make one
ASKER
I did I put an entirely new switch in
Yes but have you made the least connection....try the crossover cable...
ASKER
OK I'm going to have to try to find one since I don't have one available. this makes no sense at all. We shut down because of a storm and now nothing works?
There is also the possibility that 1 NIC has failed and its flooding the network with packets thus destroying all the communication...for this you have to make some test like 1 server with machines 1-5 and 1 server with machines 6-10
ASKER
OK that's possible. Let me check on that.
Here is a guide on crossover cables
Have you checked the static settings to make sure nothing was changed in the reboot? Are DNS settings still the same for both machines?
ASKER
Everything is the same I checked DNS, and DHCP, nothing is changed. I even had someone pull everything except the server and one workstation and that didn't work either.
But both servers do talk with the internet? Am I understanding that correctly? I ask because if you're getting out, then it's likely not a NIC.
ASKER
No nothing is talking to the internet unless I plug the server directly into the modem for the internet. I can't even ping the gateway
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ASKER
I understand that, I did replace the switch so I'm now thinking its a PC someplace. We shall see. I can't get there till Thursday so I'm having someone do the testing for me.
I got stumped by an almost identical situation some time ago. Took me about two days to figure out that a little 5-port powered hub was causing the entirety of the network (Printers, PCs, Modems) to software lock and stop functioning. If I unplugged that one device everything would suddenly spring back to life.
Make sure you don't have a loop in the network.
(are the lights blinking like crazy on all ports?)
And like William said, check for those small workgroup switches and disconnect them (at least for testing)
(are the lights blinking like crazy on all ports?)
And like William said, check for those small workgroup switches and disconnect them (at least for testing)
ASKER
This is exactly how I found and fixed the issue. It took 2 days but it worked. thanks.
E.g. Server --> 192.168.1.1
Workstation --> 192.168.1.2