Win2003 Server: Server not reachable + Browser service erros

I manage a simple network with two Win2003 Std and about ~15 clients with
WinXP Pro/Home.

The main problem is that, often the Server1 isn't reachable from any client
of the network, and it's a problem becasue on that server is installed IIS
wich is used by users to work with internet explorer.

After 60-90 seconds the Server1 will be reachable again.

I had watch the event viewer and I found the Server1 have some of this errors:

Event Type: Warning
Event Source: BROWSER
Event Category: None
Event ID: 8021
Date: 26/02/2008
Time: 9.52.40
User: N/A
Computer: SERVER1
Description:
The browser service was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the
browser master \\SERVER2 on the network
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{376B7B78-2B53-450A-80DE-D92E61C1F68D}.

Browser master: \\SERVER2
Network: \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{376B7B78-2B53-450A-80DE-D92E61C1F68D}

This event may be caused by a temporary loss of network connectivity. If
this message appears again, verify that the server is still connected to the
network. The return code is in the Data text box.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 35 00 00 00 5...





Event Type: Error
Event Source: BROWSER
Event Category: None
Event ID: 8032
Date: 26/02/2008
Time: 9.54.33
User: N/A
Computer: SERVER1
Description:
The browser service has failed to retrieve the backup list too many times on
transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{376B7B78-2B53-450A-80DE-D92E61C1F68D}. The
backup browser is stopping.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 35 00 00 00 5...

I had stop the browse service on Server1 for now, I also found the domain
function level is set to "2000 Mixed" level, I would switch to 2003, but an
intimidating message says to me this action can't be restored, If all my DC
are runnig Win2003 I can switch to 2003 mode without any problem right? or
this may not help to solve my main problem?

Thanks,
Cristian

Cristian from Italy <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> I manage a simple network with two Win2003 Std and about ~15 clients
> with WinXP Pro/Home.

Ah, and AD....it's useful to mention that right off the bat. (and note that
XP Home can't join a domain and really should be upgraded to Pro)

>
> The main problem is that, often the Server1 isn't reachable from any
> client of the network, and it's a problem becasue on that server is
> installed IIS wich is used by users to work with internet explorer.
>
> After 60-90 seconds the Server1 will be reachable again.
>
> I had watch the event viewer and I found the Server1 have some of
> this errors:
>
> Event Type: Warning
> Event Source: BROWSER
> Event Category: None
> Event ID: 8021
> Date: 26/02/2008
> Time: 9.52.40
> User: N/A
> Computer: SERVER1
> Description:
> The browser service was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the
> browser master \\SERVER2 on the network
> \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{376B7B78-2B53-450A-80DE-D92E61C1F68D}.
>
> Browser master: \\SERVER2
> Network: \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{376B7B78-2B53-450A-80DE-D92E61C1F68D}
>
> This event may be caused by a temporary loss of network connectivity.
> If
> this message appears again, verify that the server is still connected
> to the network. The return code is in the Data text box.
>
> For more information, see Help and Support Center at
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
> Data:
> 0000: 35 00 00 00 5...
>
>
>
>
>
> Event Type: Error
> Event Source: BROWSER
> Event Category: None
> Event ID: 8032
> Date: 26/02/2008
> Time: 9.54.33
> User: N/A
> Computer: SERVER1
> Description:
> The browser service has failed to retrieve the backup list too many
> times on transport
> \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{376B7B78-2B53-450A-80DE-D92E61C1F68D}. The
> backup browser is stopping.
>
> For more information, see Help and Support Center at
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
> Data:
> 0000: 35 00 00 00 5...
>
> I had stop the browse service on Server1 for now, I also found the
> domain function level is set to "2000 Mixed" level, I would switch to
> 2003, but an intimidating message says to me this action can't be
> restored, If all my DC are runnig Win2003 I can switch to 2003 mode
> without any problem right? or this may not help to solve my main
> problem?
>
> Thanks,
> Cristian


That won't fix your problem, but you might as well do it.

If you're going to use NetBIOS over TCP/IP, install and configure WINS. Make
sure everyone points at the correct WINS server & updates it properly. Then
stop and disable the computer browser service on all workstations (via
GPO)....you should be OK leaving it running on servers, even the ones that
aren't the PDC emulator or running WINS.

If you don't want to do this, disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP everywhere. You
won't be able to browse, but you'll be using pure DNS & presuming that is
configured properly, you shouldn't have any connection problems.

"Cristian from Italy" <(E-Mail Removed)> skrev i
meddelandet news:29F518C5-A78A-42B0-A229-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I manage a simple network with two Win2003 Std and about ~15 clients with
> WinXP Pro/Home.
>
> The main problem is that, often the Server1 isn't reachable from any
> client
> of the network, and it's a problem becasue on that server is installed IIS
> wich is used by users to work with internet explorer.
>
> After 60-90 seconds the Server1 will be reachable again.
>
> I had watch the event viewer and I found the Server1 have some of this
> errors:
>
> Event Type: Warning
> Event Source: BROWSER
> Event Category: None
> Event ID: 8021
> Date: 26/02/2008
> Time: 9.52.40
> User: N/A
> Computer: SERVER1
> Description:
> The browser service was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the
> browser master \\SERVER2 on the network
> \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{376B7B78-2B53-450A-80DE-D92E61C1F68D}.
>
> Browser master: \\SERVER2
> Network: \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{376B7B78-2B53-450A-80DE-D92E61C1F68D}
>
> This event may be caused by a temporary loss of network connectivity. If
> this message appears again, verify that the server is still connected to
> the
> network. The return code is in the Data text box.
>
> For more information, see Help and Support Center at
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
> Data:
> 0000: 35 00 00 00 5...
>
>
>
>
>
> Event Type: Error
> Event Source: BROWSER
> Event Category: None
> Event ID: 8032
> Date: 26/02/2008
> Time: 9.54.33
> User: N/A
> Computer: SERVER1
> Description:
> The browser service has failed to retrieve the backup list too many times
> on
> transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{376B7B78-2B53-450A-80DE-D92E61C1F68D}. The
> backup browser is stopping.
>
> For more information, see Help and Support Center at
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
> Data:
> 0000: 35 00 00 00 5...
>
> I had stop the browse service on Server1 for now, I also found the domain
> function level is set to "2000 Mixed" level, I would switch to 2003, but
> an
> intimidating message says to me this action can't be restored, If all my
> DC
> are runnig Win2003 I can switch to 2003 mode without any problem right? or
> this may not help to solve my main problem?

Do you have any NT4/2000 running as DC? If not, you can upgrade.

For the browser errors, check the following in the registry
[HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Par ameters]
MaintainServerList
isDomainMaster

Run netdiag to check if it fins and errors that can be fixed.
Is the server multihomed (multiple/replaced NICs)?

/Henrik