Topic: Win98 client configuration

[longnils]

Hi,
I've been busy installing e-smith after running Freesco for over a year now. I haven't been able to get it work so far, hope you guys can help out here.
I have been reading a lot of messages in this forum before I posted this, but I can't seem to find the problem.

Problem:
1. I can't connect to the server-manager from my client. I have tried all combinations for the URL like http:///server-manager, http://:980/, etc....
2. I can't get on the internet from my client. I have experimented with and without proxy settings in IE.

Setup:
I have setup a configuration with a static ip.
I have set 'windows workgroup=MyWorkgroup', my win98 client is setup with the same workgroup.
DHCP is running and working correct according to winipcfg.
I can see the 'MyServer' in the Windows explorer.
The internet test is succesfull from the server side. I can also ping to my ISP's DNS from the client, so the external connection seems ok.
I have checked:
'service httpd status' and 'service httpd-admin status' and both are running.

Anyone have an idea what I can try next?

Things I'm gonna try are:
Half/full-duplex settings on my NIC's
10/100/auto-sensing settings on myt NIC's

Does anyone know how I can set the full/half-duplex in e-smith. I read it somewhere but I can't remember where.

Thanks in advance

[Bruce]

I'd suggest that you try a local configuration and make sure you have allowed for management of your server over the private network.  As I've never had this problem out of the box, I can only guess at checking some of the following:

Since DHCP appears to be working, check if you can browse to ANYTHING.  It is possible that you have your NICs confused and have programmed the wrong side to local.  Simply swap the cables rather than try to reconfigures.  If you decide that you need the NICs as is for performance reasons (I have a DSL line with a 10 MB card and 10/100 on the internal LAN), you can reprogram AFTER seeing if this fixes the problems.

Try browsing to the server by simply typing the IP address of the internal NIC.  Make sure you are actually being provided web services.  If you have decided that this server is NOT a gateway, the browser will most likely not be loaded (I haven't tried this, so I'm guessing, but it does make sense to no load the http daemon if you're not providing internet access on the server).

The management control panel doesn't require anything different than the web browser.  Your local network configuration (MyWorkgroup vs. YourWorkgroup) shouldn't interfere with the ability to browse your server.

If your client has both dial-up and LAN connections, make certain that the connection tab is set to dial when a local connection is not available.  If always dial is set, you'll never get out on the browser.

The last suggestion is to (at least temporarily) disable any personal firewall software on the workstation.  Although not probable, it is possible that the software is improperly configured, precenting access.

[longnils]

Bruce, thanks for your reply! Let us discuss the options:

"NICs confused", that would be something. I don't think I have, but I certainly give it a try when I get home.

"typing the IP address of the internal NIC", nothing happens here. I get 'page cannot be displayed'. This is very strange I think.

"both dial-up and LAN connections", I don't have a dial-up, I have a Cable modem with a static ip adddress.

"disable any personal firewall", I don't have one running.


I will also check my cabling and maybe try an installation with other NIC's, just to make sure it isn't the hardware.

Do you know if I can switch NIC's (when the server is off...) and re-configure afterwards or do I need to re-install e-smith from scratch then.

[longnils]

There was no problem! I thought I would try my other client win98 machine and it worked straight away. No problems.
That this could be the problem. That's really the last thing I would think of. Windows, you gotta love it....

Thanks for the help.