slow domain logon- windows xp

[Dallascisco]

I have a 5 client, one server domain where the logon process takes about 5 minutes at the "loading personal settings" portion. Upon examining the network config I find that the router is the dns and dhcp. Is this what is slowing it down or should I look in another direction?

 

[imagoon]

I have a 5 client, one server domain where the logon process takes about 5 minutes at the "loading personal settings" portion. Upon examining the network config I find that the router is the dns and dhcp. Is this what is slowing it down or should I look in another direction?

Yes.

DNS (client) needs to point at the server, the server needs to point itself and forward everything else to the web. DHCP can be on the router but needs to hand out the correct DNS.

 

[Dallascisco]

How should dns be configured on the server and what should I use as a secondary?

 

[imagoon]

How should dns be configured on the server and what should I use as a secondary?

If you have 1 domain controller and that is it, you will only have 1 DNS entry, being the IP of the DNS (domain controller) server. No secondary is valid. No, you cannot put your internet providers there. In the server the DNS will either be set to forward to the internet or it will contact the root servers.

Please note I am assuming your using Active Directory.

 

[Dallascisco]

I'll need to install dns then right? What type of zone(s) do I need?

 

[imagoon]

I'll need to install dns then right? What type of zone(s) do I need?

Are you using AD?

 

[Dallascisco]

yes, 2003 sbs

 

[imagoon]

yes, 2003 sbs

SBS should have installed DNS for you by default. If that role is missing, when you install it, AD will automatically install the proper AD integrated zone for you. You may find that all you need to do is install it and it will 'work.'

 

[Dallascisco]

ok, I'll give it a shot. I'm not an IT guy, just the guy in the office that is the most computer inclined.

 

[imagoon]

ok, I'll give it a shot. I'm not an IT guy, just the guy in the office that is the most computer inclined.

I would check first to see if it is actually missing. When you run administrative tools > DNS does it not connect to the local server?

 

[Dallascisco]

how can I tell?

 

[imagoon]

how can I tell?

On the server terminal you run administrative tools > DNS

A box should pop up that says connect to: "this computer" or "the following computer" If you can connect to "this computer" and it has zones listed, it is up and running.

 

[Dallascisco]

I can connect to "this computer"

 

[RebateMonger]

SBS is designed for the SBS server to be the only DHCP server and a DNS server. Setting it up any other way is asking for trouble unless you are an expert at SBS functions. You should have WINS server running, too.

You can probably install DNS, DHCP, and WINS and run the "Connect to the Internet" Wizard and it'll (hopefully) configure the settings for you. I've seen several SBS servers that didn't work right because the installer was smarter than the Wizard and tried to do the DNS settings manually.

You could also bring in somebody certified in SBS and have that person fix the problem for you.

 

[Dallascisco]

unfortunately my company doesn't like to pay for outside. What do I need to do to set up dhcp and dns on the server instead of the router?

 

[netsysadmin]

How many times I have heard that...lol! Funny thing these are the companies that have the most messed up setups. Get a consultant in there to straighten things up the correct way. In the long run it will cost your company more if they try and be cheap now.

John

unfortunately my company doesn't like to pay for outside. What do I need to do to set up dhcp and dns on the server instead of the router?

 

[Dallascisco]

not my call....sorry

How many times I have heard that...lol! Funny thing these are the companies that have the most messed up setups. Get a consultant in there to straighten things up the correct way. In the long run it will cost your company more if they try and be cheap now.

John

 

[RebateMonger]

unfortunately my company doesn't like to pay for outside. What do I need to do to set up dhcp and dns on the server instead of the router?

The DNS, DHCP, and WINS services may already be properly set up but are just disabled. You may be able to disable DHCP in your router and just start up your DNS, DHCP, and WINS services in SBS.

If they haven't been set up, then I'd suggest reading the MS Knowledge Base articles on installing and configuring those services. I usually cheat and make an item-by-item comparison between a improperly-configured SBS server and a properly-configured one.

An answer at experts-exchange.com has suggestions on re-enabling DNS and DHCP on an SBS 2003 server:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/...ver/SBS_Small_Business_Server/Q_22837483.html

Note that this direct link will probably not work. You'll probably have to independently search to find this article.