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Windows Server 2003 Internet Access

Circlenaut

Platinum Member
I currently have a didicated NAS server configured running Windows Server 2003 Standard. It's roles are set to DNS, DHCP, File and Print server. It also has firedaemon pro installed with no services installed (I uninstalled uTorrent) and Serv-U ftp (stopped at the moment).

I live in an apartment with 5 people and we share the internet connection. For some reason whenever I connect the server up it slows everyone down (ping increases). In the router log I see it accessing lan to wan every few minutes. Is there a log in Server 2003 where it says what it is doing? Ports that are accessing the internet, or something? I'm trying to figure out what the slow down is and why it's having internet requests when it shouldn't.

Here's a link to all the services running.
 
You can try viewing Event Viewer. Run Command Prompt and type "netstat". Maybe the Internet connection attempt is Windows Time Service. Typically you would only configure the DNS service on a Win2003 box for internal usage, i.e in conjunction with Active Directory. Configuring DNS on a Win2003 box for LAN to WAN name resolution is a whole 'nother animal.
 
You say the server is providing DNS and DHCP services, so I ASSUME it's always turned on and always connected to the LAN? You only want to have a SINGLE DNS and DHCP server on your network, and that should be your Server 2003, which would need to be left on whenever you have client PCs turned on. If you have a router that's also supplying DHCP services, then you will have networking issues.

Presumably you have configured your server's DNS server correctly. It should be either be using your ISP's DNS server(s) for Forwarding, or the Forwarders should be left blank, in which case your DNS server will use Root Hints to do name resolution.
 
Originally posted by: RebateMonger
You say the server is providing DNS and DHCP services, so I ASSUME it's always turned on and always connected to the LAN? You only want to have a SINGLE DNS and DHCP server on your network, and that should be your Server 2003, which would need to be left on whenever you have client PCs turned on. If you have a router that's also supplying DHCP services, then you will have networking issues.

Presumably you have configured your server's DNS server correctly. It should be either be using your ISP's DNS server(s) for Forwarding, or the Forwarders should be left blank, in which case your DNS server will use Root Hints to do name resolution.

I disabled the DHCP server on the router. I set it to root hints.
 
Originally posted by: Slowlearner
A server OS is overkill for a home NAS and I dont see why it has not been set as a simple file server, and you havent explained your internet set up - so its really difficult to suggest anything.

Karenware has something you may be able to use http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptlanmon.asp

I know it's overkill but I get it for free, so why not. I have a charter 10 mbit down/ 1mbit up behind a linksys WRT54GX router. The router connects to an 8 port d-link gigabit switch which connects to the server and all the other computers.
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
What do you mean "connect to" the server? In what way, with what application and what does that application do?

I mean I plug it into the lan port. As soon as I do that we experiance slow down. I have managed to disable internet access to it through the router and that "solves" the problem for them but not for my side... At least that way I still have lan access to it.
 
Originally posted by: Pippy
Originally posted by: spidey07
What do you mean "connect to" the server? In what way, with what application and what does that application do?

I mean I plug it into the lan port. As soon as I do that we experiance slow down. I have managed to disable internet access to it through the router and that "solves" the problem for them but not for my side... At least that way I still have lan access to it.

are you plugging the switch into the lan port on the router or a lan port on the server?
 
Originally posted by: sonoma1993
Originally posted by: Pippy
Originally posted by: spidey07
What do you mean "connect to" the server? In what way, with what application and what does that application do?

I mean I plug it into the lan port. As soon as I do that we experiance slow down. I have managed to disable internet access to it through the router and that "solves" the problem for them but not for my side... At least that way I still have lan access to it.

are you plugging the switch into the lan port on the router or a lan port on the server?

it goes- cable modem plugs into wan port of router. router has 4 lan ports. One of those lan ports connects to the switch. The switch has 6 remaining ports (can't use ports 1 and 2 together if it's an upload port) those 6 ports plug into all the computers.
 
You can get an idea of your Server's overall network traffic by doing a Ctrl-Alt-Del on the Server and looking at the Neworking Tab.
 
I would suggest setting the Server 2003 in the nas in simple file and printer sharing mode, no dhcp, dns etc - I cant see all the services that are running - and let the router handle the dhcp or better still assign static ips - that way the router rules can be used to control internet access.

Check out Lan Monitor just for curiosity's sake - its free and works on server OSs - I have used it on Server 2000.
 
Hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete and look at the network tab to see bandwidth usage. At the same time, use the netstat command to see all the active connections on the server.
 
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