Master Browser Problems

Hi

I have a annoying issue that i have been trying to resolve for ages now. I
will explain setup in full to assist troubleshooting.

I have two main servers. One is called Xsol-Gold and the other Xsol-Exchange.

Both are running Windows 2003 Server Standard.

Xsol-gold is Domain Controller. It is also a Global Catalog and also a
infrasructure master. This server is used as a file server and print server.

Xsol-Exchange is also a Domain Controller, It is also a global catalog and
is the RID operations master and PDC operations master. This server is used
for exchange 2003 SP1 and also has IIS installed to allow outlook web access
and remote users to update virus software.

Xsol-gold is setup up as a DNS server, DHCP Server and Wins Server. Both
servers are on the same subnet and all relevant dns and wins info entered

Xsol-Exchange will elect itself as a master browser as I would expect
because it is a Master domain controller the problem I am getting is that
Xsol-gold, will display in the event system log the following every few
hours.

The browser service was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the
browser master \xsol-exchange on the network DeviceNetBT_Tcpip_etcetc

Then followed by

The browser service has failed to retrieve the backup list to many times on
transport DeviceNetBT_Tcipi_etc....... The backup browser is stopping


If I swap the roles of the two servers ie make xsol-gold thr RID master and
PDC Master, I get the exact same except this time the browser service is
unable to retrieve from \xsol-gold.

Xsol-exchange is still able to browse the network from my network places,
but xsol-gold and all other pc's on the network (Win2k & XP) are unable to
browse. When I click on Entire network and then Microsoft windows network
there is a delay of approx 25 seconds before the workgroup/domain list is
presented (there is only one domain) and when I click on the domain after
another delay of 25 seconds i get the following error

"domain" is not accessible. you might not have permissions to use this
network resource. The semaphore timeout has expired.

I am logged in with full domain admin rights.

I can still access the servers from the run command by typing \xsol-gold
etc. I can ping the servers all all times and get good response times. I have
checked the switch etc and nothing seems to be wrong there.

This is getting frustrating now, as i would really like to solve this issue.
Does anyone have any ideas[/i]

Forgot to add that xsol-gold is also running routing and remote access for
VPN Connections

"Darren Bird" wrote:

> Hi
>
> I have a annoying issue that i have been trying to resolve for ages now. I
> will explain setup in full to assist troubleshooting.
>
> I have two main servers. One is called Xsol-Gold and the other Xsol-Exchange.
>
> Both are running Windows 2003 Server Standard.
>
> Xsol-gold is Domain Controller. It is also a Global Catalog and also a
> infrasructure master. This server is used as a file server and print server.
>
> Xsol-Exchange is also a Domain Controller, It is also a global catalog and
> is the RID operations master and PDC operations master. This server is used
> for exchange 2003 SP1 and also has IIS installed to allow outlook web access
> and remote users to update virus software.
>
> Xsol-gold is setup up as a DNS server, DHCP Server and Wins Server. Both
> servers are on the same subnet and all relevant dns and wins info entered
>
> Xsol-Exchange will elect itself as a master browser as I would expect
> because it is a Master domain controller the problem I am getting is that
> Xsol-gold, will display in the event system log the following every few
> hours.
>
> The browser service was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the
> browser master \xsol-exchange on the network DeviceNetBT_Tcpip_etcetc
>
> Then followed by
>
> The browser service has failed to retrieve the backup list to many times on
> transport DeviceNetBT_Tcipi_etc....... The backup browser is stopping
>
>
> If I swap the roles of the two servers ie make xsol-gold thr RID master and
> PDC Master, I get the exact same except this time the browser service is
> unable to retrieve from \xsol-gold.
>
> Xsol-exchange is still able to browse the network from my network places,
> but xsol-gold and all other pc's on the network (Win2k & XP) are unable to
> browse. When I click on Entire network and then Microsoft windows network
> there is a delay of approx 25 seconds before the workgroup/domain list is
> presented (there is only one domain) and when I click on the domain after
> another delay of 25 seconds i get the following error
>
> "domain" is not accessible. you might not have permissions to use this
> network resource. The semaphore timeout has expired.
>
> I am logged in with full domain admin rights.
>
> I can still access the servers from the run command by typing \xsol-gold
> etc. I can ping the servers all all times and get good response times. I have
> checked the switch etc and nothing seems to be wrong there.
>
> This is getting frustrating now, as i would really like to solve this issue.
> Does anyone have any ideas[/i]

Have now removed Routing and Remote Access as I have read that multihomed
Computers can have problems with master browsers etc. I have move R&R with
VPN to a member server (2003) but am still getting the same problem

"Darren Bird" wrote:

> Hi
>
> I have a annoying issue that i have been trying to resolve for ages now. I
> will explain setup in full to assist troubleshooting.
>
> I have two main servers. One is called Xsol-Gold and the other Xsol-Exchange.
>
> Both are running Windows 2003 Server Standard.
>
> Xsol-gold is Domain Controller. It is also a Global Catalog and also a
> infrasructure master. This server is used as a file server and print server.
>
> Xsol-Exchange is also a Domain Controller, It is also a global catalog and
> is the RID operations master and PDC operations master. This server is used
> for exchange 2003 SP1 and also has IIS installed to allow outlook web access
> and remote users to update virus software.
>
> Xsol-gold is setup up as a DNS server, DHCP Server and Wins Server. Both
> servers are on the same subnet and all relevant dns and wins info entered
>
> Xsol-Exchange will elect itself as a master browser as I would expect
> because it is a Master domain controller the problem I am getting is that
> Xsol-gold, will display in the event system log the following every few
> hours.
>
> The browser service was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the
> browser master \xsol-exchange on the network DeviceNetBT_Tcpip_etcetc
>
> Then followed by
>
> The browser service has failed to retrieve the backup list to many times on
> transport DeviceNetBT_Tcipi_etc....... The backup browser is stopping
>
>
> If I swap the roles of the two servers ie make xsol-gold thr RID master and
> PDC Master, I get the exact same except this time the browser service is
> unable to retrieve from \xsol-gold.
>
> Xsol-exchange is still able to browse the network from my network places,
> but xsol-gold and all other pc's on the network (Win2k & XP) are unable to
> browse. When I click on Entire network and then Microsoft windows network
> there is a delay of approx 25 seconds before the workgroup/domain list is
> presented (there is only one domain) and when I click on the domain after
> another delay of 25 seconds i get the following error
>
> "domain" is not accessible. you might not have permissions to use this
> network resource. The semaphore timeout has expired.
>
> I am logged in with full domain admin rights.
>
> I can still access the servers from the run command by typing \xsol-gold
> etc. I can ping the servers all all times and get good response times. I have
> checked the switch etc and nothing seems to be wrong there.
>
> This is getting frustrating now, as i would really like to solve this issue.
> Does anyone have any ideas[/i]

Are these servers on the same or different subnets? If different, do you
have WINS installed anywhere on the network?

--
Todd J Heron, MCSE
Windows 2003/2000/NT

"Darren Bird" <Darren (E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:4DE1B015-EF5E-4E08-96BA-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi
>
> I have a annoying issue that i have been trying to resolve for ages now. I
> will explain setup in full to assist troubleshooting.
>
> I have two main servers. One is called Xsol-Gold and the other
Xsol-Exchange.
>
> Both are running Windows 2003 Server Standard.
>
> Xsol-gold is Domain Controller. It is also a Global Catalog and also a
> infrasructure master. This server is used as a file server and print
server.
>
> Xsol-Exchange is also a Domain Controller, It is also a global catalog and
> is the RID operations master and PDC operations master. This server is
used
> for exchange 2003 SP1 and also has IIS installed to allow outlook web
access
> and remote users to update virus software.
>
> Xsol-gold is setup up as a DNS server, DHCP Server and Wins Server. Both
> servers are on the same subnet and all relevant dns and wins info entered
>
> Xsol-Exchange will elect itself as a master browser as I would expect
> because it is a Master domain controller the problem I am getting is that
> Xsol-gold, will display in the event system log the following every few
> hours.
>
> The browser service was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the
> browser master \xsol-exchange on the network DeviceNetBT_Tcpip_etcetc
>
> Then followed by
>
> The browser service has failed to retrieve the backup list to many times
on
> transport DeviceNetBT_Tcipi_etc....... The backup browser is stopping
>
>
> If I swap the roles of the two servers ie make xsol-gold thr RID master
and
> PDC Master, I get the exact same except this time the browser service is
> unable to retrieve from \xsol-gold.
>
> Xsol-exchange is still able to browse the network from my network places,
> but xsol-gold and all other pc's on the network (Win2k & XP) are unable to
> browse. When I click on Entire network and then Microsoft windows network
> there is a delay of approx 25 seconds before the workgroup/domain list is
> presented (there is only one domain) and when I click on the domain after
> another delay of 25 seconds i get the following error
>
> "domain" is not accessible. you might not have permissions to use this
> network resource. The semaphore timeout has expired.
>
> I am logged in with full domain admin rights.
>
> I can still access the servers from the run command by typing \xsol-gold
> etc. I can ping the servers all all times and get good response times. I
have
> checked the switch etc and nothing seems to be wrong there.
>
> This is getting frustrating now, as i would really like to solve this
issue.
> Does anyone have any ideas[/i]

Moving RRAS to a member server should have cleared up the browsing
problem. Did you check WINS to make sure there are not any stale records
still there pointing to a "wrong" IP for the domain master browser? See KB
292822 .

"Darren Bird" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:180B5D81-11D8-4957-AB32-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Have now removed Routing and Remote Access as I have read that multihomed
> Computers can have problems with master browsers etc. I have move R&R with
> VPN to a member server (2003) but am still getting the same problem
>
> "Darren Bird" wrote:
>
>> Hi
>>
>> I have a annoying issue that i have been trying to resolve for ages now.
>> I
>> will explain setup in full to assist troubleshooting.
>>
>> I have two main servers. One is called Xsol-Gold and the other
>> Xsol-Exchange.
>>
>> Both are running Windows 2003 Server Standard.
>>
>> Xsol-gold is Domain Controller. It is also a Global Catalog and also a
>> infrasructure master. This server is used as a file server and print
>> server.
>>
>> Xsol-Exchange is also a Domain Controller, It is also a global catalog
>> and
>> is the RID operations master and PDC operations master. This server is
>> used
>> for exchange 2003 SP1 and also has IIS installed to allow outlook web
>> access
>> and remote users to update virus software.
>>
>> Xsol-gold is setup up as a DNS server, DHCP Server and Wins Server. Both
>> servers are on the same subnet and all relevant dns and wins info entered
>>
>> Xsol-Exchange will elect itself as a master browser as I would expect
>> because it is a Master domain controller the problem I am getting is that
>> Xsol-gold, will display in the event system log the following every few
>> hours.
>>
>> The browser service was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the
>> browser master \xsol-exchange on the network DeviceNetBT_Tcpip_etcetc
>>
>> Then followed by
>>
>> The browser service has failed to retrieve the backup list to many times
>> on
>> transport DeviceNetBT_Tcipi_etc....... The backup browser is stopping
>>
>>
>> If I swap the roles of the two servers ie make xsol-gold thr RID master
>> and
>> PDC Master, I get the exact same except this time the browser service is
>> unable to retrieve from \xsol-gold.
>>
>> Xsol-exchange is still able to browse the network from my network places,
>> but xsol-gold and all other pc's on the network (Win2k & XP) are unable
>> to
>> browse. When I click on Entire network and then Microsoft windows network
>> there is a delay of approx 25 seconds before the workgroup/domain list is
>> presented (there is only one domain) and when I click on the domain after
>> another delay of 25 seconds i get the following error
>>
>> "domain" is not accessible. you might not have permissions to use this
>> network resource. The semaphore timeout has expired.
>>
>> I am logged in with full domain admin rights.
>>
>> I can still access the servers from the run command by typing \xsol-gold
>> etc. I can ping the servers all all times and get good response times. I
>> have
>> checked the switch etc and nothing seems to be wrong there.
>>
>> This is getting frustrating now, as i would really like to solve this
>> issue.
>> Does anyone have any ideas[/i]

Only have one subnet, so subnets is not the problem

Cleared the WINS Database and re-registered both server manually. WINS
reports the master browsers IP Address Correctly.

Did not make changes as per KB292822 as the RRAS is now just a member server
and running on a server that does not have WINS or DNS servers loaded. It
only uses them from a Client point of view. The RRAS server also has the
browser service disabled.

I also disabled the computer browser service on all clients using a group
policy, so the only two computers running the browser service are xsol-gold &
xsol-exchange.

When I start the browser service on xsol-gold, it logs an election has been
forced in the event log, but xsol-exchange does not log anything. Should it?
then approx 2mins 30 secs after starting I then get the error 8021 - unable
to retrive list of servers from the browser master \\xsol-exchange.

This happens without fail everytime is start to browser service on xsol-gold
after trying troubleshooting.

Thanks for the advice so far - hopefully we can get to the bottom of this one.

"Bill Grant" wrote:

> Moving RRAS to a member server should have cleared up the browsing
> problem. Did you check WINS to make sure there are not any stale records
> still there pointing to a "wrong" IP for the domain master browser? See KB
> 292822 .
>
> "Darren Bird" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:180B5D81-11D8-4957-AB32-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Have now removed Routing and Remote Access as I have read that multihomed
> > Computers can have problems with master browsers etc. I have move R&R with
> > VPN to a member server (2003) but am still getting the same problem
> >
> > "Darren Bird" wrote:
> >
> >> Hi
> >>
> >> I have a annoying issue that i have been trying to resolve for ages now.
> >> I
> >> will explain setup in full to assist troubleshooting.
> >>
> >> I have two main servers. One is called Xsol-Gold and the other
> >> Xsol-Exchange.
> >>
> >> Both are running Windows 2003 Server Standard.
> >>
> >> Xsol-gold is Domain Controller. It is also a Global Catalog and also a
> >> infrasructure master. This server is used as a file server and print
> >> server.
> >>
> >> Xsol-Exchange is also a Domain Controller, It is also a global catalog
> >> and
> >> is the RID operations master and PDC operations master. This server is
> >> used
> >> for exchange 2003 SP1 and also has IIS installed to allow outlook web
> >> access
> >> and remote users to update virus software.
> >>
> >> Xsol-gold is setup up as a DNS server, DHCP Server and Wins Server. Both
> >> servers are on the same subnet and all relevant dns and wins info entered
> >>
> >> Xsol-Exchange will elect itself as a master browser as I would expect
> >> because it is a Master domain controller the problem I am getting is that
> >> Xsol-gold, will display in the event system log the following every few
> >> hours.
> >>
> >> The browser service was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the
> >> browser master \xsol-exchange on the network DeviceNetBT_Tcpip_etcetc
> >>
> >> Then followed by
> >>
> >> The browser service has failed to retrieve the backup list to many times
> >> on
> >> transport DeviceNetBT_Tcipi_etc....... The backup browser is stopping
> >>
> >>
> >> If I swap the roles of the two servers ie make xsol-gold thr RID master
> >> and
> >> PDC Master, I get the exact same except this time the browser service is
> >> unable to retrieve from \xsol-gold.
> >>
> >> Xsol-exchange is still able to browse the network from my network places,
> >> but xsol-gold and all other pc's on the network (Win2k & XP) are unable
> >> to
> >> browse. When I click on Entire network and then Microsoft windows network
> >> there is a delay of approx 25 seconds before the workgroup/domain list is
> >> presented (there is only one domain) and when I click on the domain after
> >> another delay of 25 seconds i get the following error
> >>
> >> "domain" is not accessible. you might not have permissions to use this
> >> network resource. The semaphore timeout has expired.
> >>
> >> I am logged in with full domain admin rights.
> >>
> >> I can still access the servers from the run command by typing \xsol-gold
> >> etc. I can ping the servers all all times and get good response times. I
> >> have
> >> checked the switch etc and nothing seems to be wrong there.
> >>
> >> This is getting frustrating now, as i would really like to solve this
> >> issue.
> >> Does anyone have any ideas[/i]
>
>
>

Since one DC is running Exchange and IIS I presume that it is
multihomed. Multihomed browsers are a logstanding pain! A client fails to
find a browse list because it looks at the "wrong" IP address. This causes a
browser election (because the machine assumes that the master browser is
dead).

I would give xsol-gold the PDC role (because it is not multihomed). Then
make sure that Netbios over TCP/IP is disabled on the external NIC of the
Exchange/IIS server. Only the private IP of this machine should register in
WINS if it is a potential browse master. Or stop the browser service on
this machine and use some other single-homed machine as a backup browser.

See KB 188305 and 191611 .

"Darren Bird" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:2F47B462-1F58-42AA-91E6-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Only have one subnet, so subnets is not the problem
>
> Cleared the WINS Database and re-registered both server manually. WINS
> reports the master browsers IP Address Correctly.
>
> Did not make changes as per KB292822 as the RRAS is now just a member
> server
> and running on a server that does not have WINS or DNS servers loaded. It
> only uses them from a Client point of view. The RRAS server also has the
> browser service disabled.
>
> I also disabled the computer browser service on all clients using a group
> policy, so the only two computers running the browser service are
> xsol-gold &
> xsol-exchange.
>
> When I start the browser service on xsol-gold, it logs an election has
> been
> forced in the event log, but xsol-exchange does not log anything. Should
> it?
> then approx 2mins 30 secs after starting I then get the error 8021 -
> unable
> to retrive list of servers from the browser master \\xsol-exchange.
>
> This happens without fail everytime is start to browser service on
> xsol-gold
> after trying troubleshooting.
>
> Thanks for the advice so far - hopefully we can get to the bottom of this
> one.
>
> "Bill Grant" wrote:
>
>> Moving RRAS to a member server should have cleared up the browsing
>> problem. Did you check WINS to make sure there are not any stale records
>> still there pointing to a "wrong" IP for the domain master browser? See
>> KB
>> 292822 .
>>
>> "Darren Bird" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:180B5D81-11D8-4957-AB32-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> > Have now removed Routing and Remote Access as I have read that
>> > multihomed
>> > Computers can have problems with master browsers etc. I have move R&R
>> > with
>> > VPN to a member server (2003) but am still getting the same problem
>> >
>> > "Darren Bird" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hi
>> >>
>> >> I have a annoying issue that i have been trying to resolve for ages
>> >> now.
>> >> I
>> >> will explain setup in full to assist troubleshooting.
>> >>
>> >> I have two main servers. One is called Xsol-Gold and the other
>> >> Xsol-Exchange.
>> >>
>> >> Both are running Windows 2003 Server Standard.
>> >>
>> >> Xsol-gold is Domain Controller. It is also a Global Catalog and also a
>> >> infrasructure master. This server is used as a file server and print
>> >> server.
>> >>
>> >> Xsol-Exchange is also a Domain Controller, It is also a global catalog
>> >> and
>> >> is the RID operations master and PDC operations master. This server is
>> >> used
>> >> for exchange 2003 SP1 and also has IIS installed to allow outlook web
>> >> access
>> >> and remote users to update virus software.
>> >>
>> >> Xsol-gold is setup up as a DNS server, DHCP Server and Wins Server.
>> >> Both
>> >> servers are on the same subnet and all relevant dns and wins info
>> >> entered
>> >>
>> >> Xsol-Exchange will elect itself as a master browser as I would expect
>> >> because it is a Master domain controller the problem I am getting is
>> >> that
>> >> Xsol-gold, will display in the event system log the following every
>> >> few
>> >> hours.
>> >>
>> >> The browser service was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the
>> >> browser master \xsol-exchange on the network DeviceNetBT_Tcpip_etcetc
>> >>
>> >> Then followed by
>> >>
>> >> The browser service has failed to retrieve the backup list to many
>> >> times
>> >> on
>> >> transport DeviceNetBT_Tcipi_etc....... The backup browser is stopping
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> If I swap the roles of the two servers ie make xsol-gold thr RID
>> >> master
>> >> and
>> >> PDC Master, I get the exact same except this time the browser service
>> >> is
>> >> unable to retrieve from \xsol-gold.
>> >>
>> >> Xsol-exchange is still able to browse the network from my network
>> >> places,
>> >> but xsol-gold and all other pc's on the network (Win2k & XP) are
>> >> unable
>> >> to
>> >> browse. When I click on Entire network and then Microsoft windows
>> >> network
>> >> there is a delay of approx 25 seconds before the workgroup/domain list
>> >> is
>> >> presented (there is only one domain) and when I click on the domain
>> >> after
>> >> another delay of 25 seconds i get the following error
>> >>
>> >> "domain" is not accessible. you might not have permissions to use this
>> >> network resource. The semaphore timeout has expired.
>> >>
>> >> I am logged in with full domain admin rights.
>> >>
>> >> I can still access the servers from the run command by typing
>> >> \xsol-gold
>> >> etc. I can ping the servers all all times and get good response times.
>> >> I
>> >> have
>> >> checked the switch etc and nothing seems to be wrong there.
>> >>
>> >> This is getting frustrating now, as i would really like to solve this
>> >> issue.
>> >> Does anyone have any ideas[/i]
>>
>>
>>

Neither servers multihomed, as to allow OWA over the internet our 3com
firewall uses a feature called one-to-one NAT which allow me to map the
internal/external IP addresses on the Firewall for certain ports only (443
for SSL).

When an election occurs should the current master browser log this in the
event log, as when I start the browser service on xsol-gold, xsol-exchange
does not log the fact that an election has been forced. Could this be my
issue, as it would seem that xsol-exchange is not listening for netbios
commands.

I have ruled out firewalls etc as I dis-connected both servers from the main
network and connected them via a seperate hub and still got the same results,
so this rules out a switch/firewall problem.

Is there anyway to check to see if xsol-exchange is listening properly for
browser/netbios related commands?

"Bill Grant" wrote:

> Since one DC is running Exchange and IIS I presume that it is
> multihomed. Multihomed browsers are a logstanding pain! A client fails to
> find a browse list because it looks at the "wrong" IP address. This causes a
> browser election (because the machine assumes that the master browser is
> dead).
>
> I would give xsol-gold the PDC role (because it is not multihomed). Then
> make sure that Netbios over TCP/IP is disabled on the external NIC of the
> Exchange/IIS server. Only the private IP of this machine should register in
> WINS if it is a potential browse master. Or stop the browser service on
> this machine and use some other single-homed machine as a backup browser.
>
> See KB 188305 and 191611 .
>
> "Darren Bird" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:2F47B462-1F58-42AA-91E6-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Only have one subnet, so subnets is not the problem
> >
> > Cleared the WINS Database and re-registered both server manually. WINS
> > reports the master browsers IP Address Correctly.
> >
> > Did not make changes as per KB292822 as the RRAS is now just a member
> > server
> > and running on a server that does not have WINS or DNS servers loaded. It
> > only uses them from a Client point of view. The RRAS server also has the
> > browser service disabled.
> >
> > I also disabled the computer browser service on all clients using a group
> > policy, so the only two computers running the browser service are
> > xsol-gold &
> > xsol-exchange.
> >
> > When I start the browser service on xsol-gold, it logs an election has
> > been
> > forced in the event log, but xsol-exchange does not log anything. Should
> > it?
> > then approx 2mins 30 secs after starting I then get the error 8021 -
> > unable
> > to retrive list of servers from the browser master \\xsol-exchange.
> >
> > This happens without fail everytime is start to browser service on
> > xsol-gold
> > after trying troubleshooting.
> >
> > Thanks for the advice so far - hopefully we can get to the bottom of this
> > one.
> >
> > "Bill Grant" wrote:
> >
> >> Moving RRAS to a member server should have cleared up the browsing
> >> problem. Did you check WINS to make sure there are not any stale records
> >> still there pointing to a "wrong" IP for the domain master browser? See
> >> KB
> >> 292822 .
> >>
> >> "Darren Bird" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> news:180B5D81-11D8-4957-AB32-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> > Have now removed Routing and Remote Access as I have read that
> >> > multihomed
> >> > Computers can have problems with master browsers etc. I have move R&R
> >> > with
> >> > VPN to a member server (2003) but am still getting the same problem
> >> >
> >> > "Darren Bird" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Hi
> >> >>
> >> >> I have a annoying issue that i have been trying to resolve for ages
> >> >> now.
> >> >> I
> >> >> will explain setup in full to assist troubleshooting.
> >> >>
> >> >> I have two main servers. One is called Xsol-Gold and the other
> >> >> Xsol-Exchange.
> >> >>
> >> >> Both are running Windows 2003 Server Standard.
> >> >>
> >> >> Xsol-gold is Domain Controller. It is also a Global Catalog and also a
> >> >> infrasructure master. This server is used as a file server and print
> >> >> server.
> >> >>
> >> >> Xsol-Exchange is also a Domain Controller, It is also a global catalog
> >> >> and
> >> >> is the RID operations master and PDC operations master. This server is
> >> >> used
> >> >> for exchange 2003 SP1 and also has IIS installed to allow outlook web
> >> >> access
> >> >> and remote users to update virus software.
> >> >>
> >> >> Xsol-gold is setup up as a DNS server, DHCP Server and Wins Server.
> >> >> Both
> >> >> servers are on the same subnet and all relevant dns and wins info
> >> >> entered
> >> >>
> >> >> Xsol-Exchange will elect itself as a master browser as I would expect
> >> >> because it is a Master domain controller the problem I am getting is
> >> >> that
> >> >> Xsol-gold, will display in the event system log the following every
> >> >> few
> >> >> hours.
> >> >>
> >> >> The browser service was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the
> >> >> browser master \xsol-exchange on the network DeviceNetBT_Tcpip_etcetc
> >> >>
> >> >> Then followed by
> >> >>
> >> >> The browser service has failed to retrieve the backup list to many
> >> >> times
> >> >> on
> >> >> transport DeviceNetBT_Tcipi_etc....... The backup browser is stopping
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> If I swap the roles of the two servers ie make xsol-gold thr RID
> >> >> master
> >> >> and
> >> >> PDC Master, I get the exact same except this time the browser service
> >> >> is
> >> >> unable to retrieve from \xsol-gold.
> >> >>
> >> >> Xsol-exchange is still able to browse the network from my network
> >> >> places,
> >> >> but xsol-gold and all other pc's on the network (Win2k & XP) are
> >> >> unable
> >> >> to
> >> >> browse. When I click on Entire network and then Microsoft windows
> >> >> network
> >> >> there is a delay of approx 25 seconds before the workgroup/domain list
> >> >> is
> >> >> presented (there is only one domain) and when I click on the domain
> >> >> after
> >> >> another delay of 25 seconds i get the following error
> >> >>
> >> >> "domain" is not accessible. you might not have permissions to use this
> >> >> network resource. The semaphore timeout has expired.
> >> >>
> >> >> I am logged in with full domain admin rights.
> >> >>
> >> >> I can still access the servers from the run command by typing
> >> >> \xsol-gold
> >> >> etc. I can ping the servers all all times and get good response times.
> >> >> I
> >> >> have
> >> >> checked the switch etc and nothing seems to be wrong there.
> >> >>
> >> >> This is getting frustrating now, as i would really like to solve this
> >> >> issue.
> >> >> Does anyone have any ideas[/i]
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

Starting the browser service on a machine won't necessarily force a
browser election. The current master browser justs carries on. The new
server may become a backup browser. It might force an election if you bring
back the PDC emulator, because it will want to become the domain master
browser.

A browser election is usually triggered by an apparent failure of the
master browser. If a client can't find the master browser to get a browse
list, it assumes the master browser has failed, and triggers a browser
election.

"Darren Bird" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:A0618338-AABB-4785-871D-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Neither servers multihomed, as to allow OWA over the internet our 3com
> firewall uses a feature called one-to-one NAT which allow me to map the
> internal/external IP addresses on the Firewall for certain ports only (443
> for SSL).
>
> When an election occurs should the current master browser log this in the
> event log, as when I start the browser service on xsol-gold, xsol-exchange
> does not log the fact that an election has been forced. Could this be my
> issue, as it would seem that xsol-exchange is not listening for netbios
> commands.
>
> I have ruled out firewalls etc as I dis-connected both servers from the
> main
> network and connected them via a seperate hub and still got the same
> results,
> so this rules out a switch/firewall problem.
>
> Is there anyway to check to see if xsol-exchange is listening properly for
> browser/netbios related commands?
>
> "Bill Grant" wrote:
>
>> Since one DC is running Exchange and IIS I presume that it is
>> multihomed. Multihomed browsers are a logstanding pain! A client fails to
>> find a browse list because it looks at the "wrong" IP address. This
>> causes a
>> browser election (because the machine assumes that the master browser is
>> dead).
>>
>> I would give xsol-gold the PDC role (because it is not multihomed).
>> Then
>> make sure that Netbios over TCP/IP is disabled on the external NIC of the
>> Exchange/IIS server. Only the private IP of this machine should register
>> in
>> WINS if it is a potential browse master. Or stop the browser service on
>> this machine and use some other single-homed machine as a backup browser.
>>
>> See KB 188305 and 191611 .
>>
>> "Darren Bird" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:2F47B462-1F58-42AA-91E6-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> > Only have one subnet, so subnets is not the problem
>> >
>> > Cleared the WINS Database and re-registered both server manually. WINS
>> > reports the master browsers IP Address Correctly.
>> >
>> > Did not make changes as per KB292822 as the RRAS is now just a member
>> > server
>> > and running on a server that does not have WINS or DNS servers loaded.
>> > It
>> > only uses them from a Client point of view. The RRAS server also has
>> > the
>> > browser service disabled.
>> >
>> > I also disabled the computer browser service on all clients using a
>> > group
>> > policy, so the only two computers running the browser service are
>> > xsol-gold &
>> > xsol-exchange.
>> >
>> > When I start the browser service on xsol-gold, it logs an election has
>> > been
>> > forced in the event log, but xsol-exchange does not log anything.
>> > Should
>> > it?
>> > then approx 2mins 30 secs after starting I then get the error 8021 -
>> > unable
>> > to retrive list of servers from the browser master \\xsol-exchange.
>> >
>> > This happens without fail everytime is start to browser service on
>> > xsol-gold
>> > after trying troubleshooting.
>> >
>> > Thanks for the advice so far - hopefully we can get to the bottom of
>> > this
>> > one.
>> >
>> > "Bill Grant" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Moving RRAS to a member server should have cleared up the browsing
>> >> problem. Did you check WINS to make sure there are not any stale
>> >> records
>> >> still there pointing to a "wrong" IP for the domain master browser?
>> >> See
>> >> KB
>> >> 292822 .
>> >>
>> >> "Darren Bird" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> >> news:180B5D81-11D8-4957-AB32-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >> > Have now removed Routing and Remote Access as I have read that
>> >> > multihomed
>> >> > Computers can have problems with master browsers etc. I have move
>> >> > R&R
>> >> > with
>> >> > VPN to a member server (2003) but am still getting the same problem
>> >> >
>> >> > "Darren Bird" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Hi
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I have a annoying issue that i have been trying to resolve for ages
>> >> >> now.
>> >> >> I
>> >> >> will explain setup in full to assist troubleshooting.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I have two main servers. One is called Xsol-Gold and the other
>> >> >> Xsol-Exchange.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Both are running Windows 2003 Server Standard.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Xsol-gold is Domain Controller. It is also a Global Catalog and
>> >> >> also a
>> >> >> infrasructure master. This server is used as a file server and
>> >> >> print
>> >> >> server.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Xsol-Exchange is also a Domain Controller, It is also a global
>> >> >> catalog
>> >> >> and
>> >> >> is the RID operations master and PDC operations master. This server
>> >> >> is
>> >> >> used
>> >> >> for exchange 2003 SP1 and also has IIS installed to allow outlook
>> >> >> web
>> >> >> access
>> >> >> and remote users to update virus software.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Xsol-gold is setup up as a DNS server, DHCP Server and Wins Server.
>> >> >> Both
>> >> >> servers are on the same subnet and all relevant dns and wins info
>> >> >> entered
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Xsol-Exchange will elect itself as a master browser as I would
>> >> >> expect
>> >> >> because it is a Master domain controller the problem I am getting
>> >> >> is
>> >> >> that
>> >> >> Xsol-gold, will display in the event system log the following every
>> >> >> few
>> >> >> hours.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> The browser service was unable to retrieve a list of servers from
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> browser master \xsol-exchange on the network
>> >> >> DeviceNetBT_Tcpip_etcetc
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Then followed by
>> >> >>
>> >> >> The browser service has failed to retrieve the backup list to many
>> >> >> times
>> >> >> on
>> >> >> transport DeviceNetBT_Tcipi_etc....... The backup browser is
>> >> >> stopping
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> If I swap the roles of the two servers ie make xsol-gold thr RID
>> >> >> master
>> >> >> and
>> >> >> PDC Master, I get the exact same except this time the browser
>> >> >> service
>> >> >> is
>> >> >> unable to retrieve from \xsol-gold.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Xsol-exchange is still able to browse the network from my network
>> >> >> places,
>> >> >> but xsol-gold and all other pc's on the network (Win2k & XP) are
>> >> >> unable
>> >> >> to
>> >> >> browse. When I click on Entire network and then Microsoft windows
>> >> >> network
>> >> >> there is a delay of approx 25 seconds before the workgroup/domain
>> >> >> list
>> >> >> is
>> >> >> presented (there is only one domain) and when I click on the domain
>> >> >> after
>> >> >> another delay of 25 seconds i get the following error
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "domain" is not accessible. you might not have permissions to use
>> >> >> this
>> >> >> network resource. The semaphore timeout has expired.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I am logged in with full domain admin rights.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I can still access the servers from the run command by typing
>> >> >> \xsol-gold
>> >> >> etc. I can ping the servers all all times and get good response
>> >> >> times.
>> >> >> I
>> >> >> have
>> >> >> checked the switch etc and nothing seems to be wrong there.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> This is getting frustrating now, as i would really like to solve
>> >> >> this
>> >> >> issue.
>> >> >> Does anyone have any ideas[/i]
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>