Two NICs

[Dennis01]

I'm in the process of setting up a small server (SBS 2003) with 7 clients that run XPP or W2KP. The server has two NICs, one for the LAN and one for the WAN. The WAN connects to a combo modem/router for the telco DSL.

Today I was just guided to B Mayo's fine write-up on server networking, in which he states "...so you should disable the DHCP on your router..." In the case of two NICs, is that still required?

Before you ask, the server is loaded but not turned on until (I hope) Memorial Day weekend when I hope to make the cut-over.

[ErikD]

I am no expert, but would say still yes as it would be best to be doing DHCP on the server.

[lenwest]

You should only have one instance of a DHCP server on the network. Disable DHCP on the router and use it only on the server. With 2 going, you will have conflicts.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Actually in this case...leave it on.

Oh..."Welcome to Speedguide" Dennis! :D

Are you using ISA on the server? Or just doing the secure NAT (RRAS)?

Either way...doesn't really matter. Running the ICW (Internet Connection Wizard)...even if you're multi-homed....it'll setup DHCP properly on the server, and should bind it to the appropriate NIC...which will be your LAN NIC...and since the gateway is broadcasting on the WAN NIC segment...it's irrelevant to his LAN.

Now to answer your question..your question is probably "Do I have to shut off DHCP on the ISP supplied gateway?" The answer is "NO". Matter of fact, you're safer to leave it on. That DHCP service will be broadcasting on the WAN interface of your server..which is not part of your LAN, the server will not pass that DHCP on through its routing.

What I do before running the ICW....is give each NIC the IP that I want. Your server has 2x NICs you say. What I do, is right click each on in my Network Properties window..and re-name them accordingly...by default you'll have something like Local Area Connection 1 and Local Area Connection 2. The NIC going to the broadband connection...I'll rename WAN. The NIC going to the switch for the local network...I'll call LAN.

I then assign them IP's based on how I wish to setup my network. The WAN NIC...I'll assign it a static IP address that's within the range of the broadband router. Say your ISP supplied gateway is..192.168.1.254...give your WAN NIC an IP in that range...but outside the gateways DHCP pool. Meaning..if the ISP supplied gateway runs DHCP...say it hands out addresses starting at 2 or 100 or whatever...just pick an IP that it would not normally hand out. Since you'll only have 1x device connected to it...you're pretty safe. Pick something like 192.168.1.11.

Now for your LAN side...you'll need a different IP range naturally, so do something like 192.168.3.11 for the LAN NIC. You only have to fill in the IP and subnet mask....when you run the ICW...it will fill in the necessary gateway, DNS, and WINS...and should setup the proper binding provider orders.

Reason to leave DHCP on in your ISP gateway? Just as a safety net. It's harmless leaving it on, since it's not on your local network. And if you "forget" the settings 'n what not...you can just flip your WAN NIC to obtain auto..and start over again.

So normally it's true...in most cases (except for larger networks with active directory)...you only want 1x DHCP service on a network. With Active Directory and multiple servers..you can have a couple of DHCP services...AD will spread the load there, they won't compete.

Once you talk about a multi-homed server though, such as in this case..we're technically talking about 2x separate networks here..the WAN NIC, and the LAN NIC. The router can run DHCP for the WAN interface..even though he won't really use DHCP there, but it's harmless and better to leave it on. And the server will run DHCP for the LAN interface.

[Dennis01]

Thanks for the quick and informative reply. One questions though - "Are you using ISA on the server? Or just doing the secure NAT (RRAS)?" Now there, I have no idea what you mean.

"What I do before running the ICW..." Unfortunately that's already been done (remember, I'd never even seen SBS 2003 until this machine) - I may just delete both connections and start over.

Just a little background - this non-profit was running a peer-to-peer but then the important data bases were on the director's machine, which meant that machine had to be on and accessable every business day. He decided, at my urging, to move to a domain server. The server sits off most of the time, until I can get the networking straight and the director procures a DVD writer for a backup device.

Since I retired (at 68, some 6 years ago) I've been doing volunteer computer work. So I'm fairly well acquainted with W2KP and XPP, but I've never dealt with a server before - please be patient.

[YeOldeStonecat]

You can run the ICW over and over and over...no worry about having to delete the connections and starting over again. If you already have an IP scheme...as long as they are different IP ranges..I'd say stick with those.

Small Business Server has sooo many services...it's best to let the ICW handle them. Sometimes you need to run the ICW several times in a row, doing several reboots, until it's finally gets it right.

If you purchased SBS Premium...you'd know if you installed ISA2K4...it's a whole separate install. It's basically the newer version of MS Proxy Server.

They get SBS through Techsoup.org?

For an inexpensive backup solution..I like the external Iomega REV drives, you can purchase a whole backup solution (drive, 6x cartridges), for about 500 bucks. I don't like their backup software, but the one built into SBS is fine.

A great website for you to bookmark....and spend some time skimming through...
http://www.smallbizserver.net/Default.aspx

We're here to help...don't be afraid to ask away!

[Dennis01]

"You can run the ICW over and over and over..." Good, and helpful.

"If you purchased SBS Premium..." Don't believe so.

"They get SBS through Techsoup.org?" Yes, along with Office 2003 and Norton AV. Great resource for a non-profit.

"For an inexpensive backup solution..I like the external Iomega REV drives, you can purchase a whole backup solution (drive, 6x cartridges), for about 500 bucks." Thanks, but...500 is more than the cost of the server. A DVD writer is about $90, the media is inexpensive, and the unskilled staff is quite familiar with burning CDs. As a policy just data is backed up, executables and O/S are not.

"A great website for you to bookmark..." Thank you again

"Guinness for Strength!" Tastes best when consumed in Co. Clare.