DHCP help

[BenjaminTech]

Hello.

I have a LinkSys BEFSR81 V3 here, problem started yesterday.. we cannot access the internet. a reset fixed the internet, but i cannot access the router via IE. i tried also to connect it directly with a laptop and the same, it would not connect to the router. Good thing i had a spare. I replaced it and some computers here would not be able to refresh ips. The settings are DHCP enabled on the router. I rebooted the workstation and they are able to refresh their ips.

my question is 1. the first router that i am having trouble with, is it bad.

the second question 2. does the workstations have to reboot to "catch" the new dhcp settings on the new router.. ??? 1/2 computers needed reboot, other 1/2 picked it up just fine.

Thanks for the inputs.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Usually you don't have to "reboot" in order to obtain a new IP address...both Win9X and NT.
Windows 9X..click on Start==>Run==>type in "winipcfg" without the quotes==>OK. Drop down menu, select your NIC, then you'll see buttons for release/renew.

WinNT (NT4/2K/XP/2K3)..click on Start==>Run==>type in "cmd" without the quotes==>OK. At the command prompt (something like looks similar to the old DOS prompt)..type in "ipconfig /renew". Other commands you can fiddle with, ipconfig /release, ipconfig /all, and ipconfig /flushdns

WinXP/2K3 adds a GUI for the above fucntion..double click your LAN connection in the systray, support tab, "repair" button.

They released a new firmware for the sr81 router recently...honestly, I like a lot of Linksys router models, but I've not had the best experiences with a few of the 81 models. Try the latest firmware though.

Power cycling the router...try that.

No other routers or WAPs on the network, right? Or servers?

[BenjaminTech]

That's what I thought.. All workstations here use XP Pro. I used the repair local area connection to make sure that it was able to get new its once the lease run out.. 1/2 the computers had an error message saying it cannot obtain new ip?

After I rebooted the workstation, it was able to "repair" fine. I thought this was wierd.

I've had trouble with 81 v1 models .. but v3 versions works great.. no problems..

And nope.. no other routers.

I'm messing with the questionable routher right now.. i reset it and still cannot connect to the router. i also cleared it (reset for 15 secs) and still cannot connect via IE.. the indication lights in the front of the router does not indicate any problems..

[BenjaminTech]

oh.. and we do have servers here.. win2k. but we use the router's DCHP to assign ips...

[YeOldeStonecat]

oh.. and we do have servers here.. win2k. but we use the router's DCHP to assign ips...

Bummer...why...when you have a good solid DHCP service available. Are you running active directory?

[BenjaminTech]

yeah... we are using AD, I took over this network (first REAL job) and that was the way it was set up.. so i left it as it is. I'm not familiar with setting the DHCP on the server, dont really need anything to be going wrong..

[YeOldeStonecat]

The DHCP scope on the router was at least edited to hand out the IP of your domain controller as the DNS for the clients, right ? Hopefully?

http://www.speedguide.net/read_articles.php?id=1660

If not..if it's default and handing out your ISPs DNS servers...then your network is having some issues...

[BenjaminTech]

yes.. :D DC is set as DNS. Thanks for the reading material.. I will read it during my lunch hour :thumb:

[YeOldeStonecat]

Sure thing..gotta hit the road and fiddle with a clients network for the rest of the afternoon...if you wanna take the plunge and upgrade to run DHCP on your server :thumb: We're glad to help. :nod:

[koldchillah]

if you wanna take the plunge and upgrade to run DHCP on your server :thumb: We're glad to help. :nod:

:nod:

I recommend going this route as well and while Stonecat is "the man" when it comes to walkthrough's, I'll keep an eye on this thread and help out if needed.

From what you've described so far with "half the PC's able to renew an IP address", I almost want to say you have a network issue, possibly some cabling problems. Do you have a seperate switch or are you using the router's LAN ports for everything? I would start by checking out those cables, particularly any "uplink" cables, and replace the ones that appear "home-made" and/or worn out.