Home Network Set-up Question

[EchoedTruth]

Hey everybody,

Ok, here's my issue:

I currently have a home network comprised of my Comcast cable modem -> Netgear N150 WiFi router -> 5-port ethernet switch.

I have multiple computers wired directly into the switch, and some devices running via WiFi.

Here's what I want to do:

I have one laptop currently running Windows Server 2008 R2, and another laptop running Windows 7 Ultimate.

I want to set up a client-server relationship between the two, in order to teach myself about Active Directory, DHCP, DNS, Web servers, etc...


So - How do I assign a static IP to a single laptop running Win Server 2008 that is connected via wired ethernet on my home network (the network is a Netgear router that is set to dynamically assign IPs from the ISP), and ensure that the laptop always keeps that IP, so that my client laptop (also connected to the wired switch, not WiFi) can connect to it?


Thanks in advance

[Klendathu]

Log into your netgear and see if there is a way to administrate your DHCP scope. That is, the range of IP addresses that DHCP will dole out upon quest. Assuming it is a Class C IP range, we'll go with 192.168.0.* to 192.168.0.*. Make the range something like 192.168.0.100 - 192.168.0.200. Then set your server to have a static ip of 192.168.0.<either less than 100 or greater than 200>. Then your server remains on the same network and viewable to all hosts that get a DHCP lease, while never having it's IP address given away, causing duplicate IP problems.

Worst case scenario, you cant change the DHCP scope. You should still be able to see a list of DHCP clients. See if the Netgear typically assigns the 4th octet low or high (if most addresses are 192.168.0.1-50, or 200-250, etc) and assign your server to the other end of the spectrum. If you run into dupe problems, check your Netgear and see if it gave out your servers address, and make that client fetch another address.

There are also a host of other things that you'll want to do as well, but since you're doing this for a learning experience, I'll let you figure those out as you go and not bombard you potential "advice". Holla back, though, if you need.

[Pringles]

Most routers will allow you to assign a static DHCP address, it keeps it simple.

[Klendathu]

Bah, dbl post. Be sure to set the subnet mask to the same thing your router is using, most likely 255.255.255.0

[Rogean]

Active Directory relies heavily on integrated DNS. Your server 2008 will install this automatically during dcpromo.

It is recomended to also have DHCP on the server, but not required. However whatever is giving out DHCP MUST give out the Server 2008's IP as the DNS server. This is important for clients to know where the domain is.

So you can either disable DHCP on netgear and install it on Server 2008, or modify the netgear so that DNS points at Server 2008.

DCPromo that bitch up, that process is fairly straight forward. Then join a client to the domain.

[Klendathu]

Active Directory relies heavily on integrated DNS. Your server 2008 will install this automatically during dcpromo.

It is recomended to also have DHCP on the server, but not required. However whatever is giving out DHCP MUST give out the Server 2008's IP as the DNS server. This is important for clients to know where the domain is.

So you can either disable DHCP on netgear and install it on Server 2008, or modify the netgear so that DNS points at Server 2008.

DCPromo that bitch up, that process is fairly straight forward. Then join a client to the domain.

Some of what I was hoping he'd figure out for himself. But all true.

Make sure that laptop you have R2 installed on stays on all the time, too. Once you start handing over network services and FSMO roles, you wont want it to be off ever.

[EchoedTruth]

Active Directory relies heavily on integrated DNS. Your server 2008 will install this automatically during dcpromo.

It is recomended to also have DHCP on the server, but not required. However whatever is giving out DHCP MUST give out the Server 2008's IP as the DNS server. This is important for clients to know where the domain is.

So you can either disable DHCP on netgear and install it on Server 2008, or modify the netgear so that DNS points at Server 2008.

DCPromo that bitch up, that process is fairly straight forward. Then join a client to the domain.

Nice! Much appreciated. My only issue/worry is that I really want this server/client to be by themselves, and not affecting the rest of the computers on my network. Kind of like my own experimental server/client bubble.

If I enable DHCP on the server and hand it off from the router, won't that affect (shut off) my network if say the server is turned off or what have you?

[EchoedTruth]

Some of what I was hoping he'd figure out for himself. But all true.

Make sure that laptop you have R2 installed on stays on all the time, too. Once you start handing over network services and FSMO roles, you wont want it to be off ever.

Thanks for the DHCP range explanation on your first post, that helped me clear up some IPs I could assign.


What I bolded in your quote is the issue I have. I don't want this server/client affecting the rest of my network, as it is just a test / experimental server that I'm learning how to do policy management/AD/etc.. on.

The problem I have now just encountered is this:

I went into my router and limited its DHCP range from 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.225

I went onto my test server and assigned it the static IP of 192.168.1.230, and it won't connect to the internet.

I also tried reserving the 192.168.1.230 address on my router (proper MAC typed in and all), reopened the DHCP range to 254 and still no connection. NFC why this won't connect to the internet. I have the proper subnet mask, gateway, etc all typed in.

[Swish]

Thanks for the DHCP range explanation on your first post, that helped me clear up some IPs I could assign.


What I bolded in your quote is the issue I have. I don't want this server/client affecting the rest of my network, as it is just a test / experimental server that I'm learning how to do policy management/AD/etc.. on.

The problem I have now just encountered is this:

I went into my router and limited its DHCP range from 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.225

I went onto my test server and assigned it the static IP of 192.168.1.230, and it won't connect to the internet.

I also tried reserving the 192.168.1.230 address on my router (proper MAC typed in and all), reopened the DHCP range to 254 and still no connection. NFC why this won't connect to the internet. I have the proper subnet mask, gateway, etc all typed in.

I am by no means an expert, but I've tinkered a bit with this stuff. I think you have to go into the connection properties (there's IPv4 and IPv6, you want the v4)...and you need to assign the static IP details to 230 or whatever the number is you're using.

Try that, but again... I'm no expert :p

[Klendathu]

Most MS Server OS come out of the box with that shitty "MS Enhanced Internet Security" turned on. In 2008 R2, I think you turn it off by going into Server Manager Console, that annoying page that pops up on each administrator login (that you probably disabled after startup by now). It's a good idea to turn off enhanced security, cause then you can install things from network locations, which make life easier, especially in the sandbox.

Also, until you run dcpromo and start using R2 for DHCP\DNS, you need to point it to your Netgear for DNS, in the same spot where you set up the static IP for it. Let us know if that helps.

True test of connectivity - ping something outside of your router. Like www.google.com.

[EchoedTruth]

Most MS Server OS come out of the box with that shitty "MS Enhanced Internet Security" turned on. In 2008 R2, I think you turn it off by going into Server Manager Console, that annoying page that pops up on each administrator login (that you probably disabled after startup by now). It's a good idea to turn off enhanced security, cause then you can install things from network locations, which make life easier, especially in the sandbox.

Also, until you run dcpromo and start using R2 for DHCP\DNS, you need to point it to your Netgear for DNS, in the same spot where you set up the static IP for it. Let us know if that helps.

True test of connectivity - ping something outside of your router. Like www.google.com.


Well it works fine until I assign a static IP to the laptop using the IPv4 properties. I entered the right gateway, subnet mask, and IP I had reserved on the router. Still wouldn't connect. As soon as I set it to the "automatically receive IP from..." setting then it works again.

I've disabled enhanced security. I'm still fuzzy on how the DNS/DHCP thing works. I wouldn't think I'd need to run/enable those to connect via a static IP though...

[Klendathu]

hmmm, run ipconfig/all form a command prompt and see what your Netgear is giving you for IP settings. It may give a clue as to why the static setup is not working.

Maybe try and go low on the static IP. Set the DHCP range to be 10-235, and make your server .5 or something less than .11. Home routers are not known for being extremely flexible, dont be surprised when you find out the weak link in the chain is your Netgear.

Or you could commit to the process all at once, turn off everything on your router but the firewall, promote your server, establish a domain, set your DHCP and DNS up on it, and start having everything on your network refer to it. This is where you're going to end up sooner or later.

[EchoedTruth]

hmmm, run ipconfig/all form a command prompt and see what your Netgear is giving you for IP settings. It may give a clue as to why the static setup is not working.

Maybe try and go low on the static IP. Set the DHCP range to be 10-235, and make your server .5 or something less than .11. Home routers are not known for being extremely flexible, dont be surprised when you find out the weak link in the chain is your Netgear.

Or you could commit to the process all at once, turn off everything on your router but the firewall, promote your server, establish a domain, set your DHCP and DNS up on it, and start having everything on your network refer to it. This is where you're going to end up sooner or later.

Good idea, I'll try that out. I appreciate it :D
The problem is that my "server" is just an old hp laptop that sounds like a jet turbine when running. I don't want my network tied to that.

[radditsu]

Did you set the default gateway to the router ip? Also setup dns forwarders in your active directory server to your isp dns settings or a google public dns. It will fix any resolution errors your ad server can't fix.

[timhutton]

Don't do this shit with physical boxes, use VMs.

Honestly, just spend like $800 buy some hardware, install esxi and make your own virtual infrastructure shit isn't that hard or expensive and you will learn a ton/have fun.

[radditsu]

Don't do this shit with physical boxes, use VMs.

Honestly, just spend like $800 buy some hardware, install esxi and make your own virtual infrastructure shit isn't that hard or expensive and you will learn a ton/have fun.


Shit I ran 4 vm 2008 for my microsoft certs with my desktop and 180 day trials and pirate vmware. Needed 0 dollars