Topic: Need help setting up SMEServer 8

[swarfmaker]

Hi,
First off, I'm not used to Linux at all - I'm a Windows user.
I've managed to instal SME server with few problems.
My home set up is as follows: -
Netgear DG834PN Modem/router feeding 4PC's, an 8 port switch and a VOIP phone, plus wireless connectivity for laptops all on 198.162.x.x sub domain.
The NIC on the WAN side of the server has an address on the 172.16.x.x subdomain and is pointed at the WAN address of my ISP. This seems to work ok as If I only have the server attached to the modem the test internet section of the installation contacts contrib.org with no errors.
When other PC's are attached to the system they seem to bypass the server, so I assume I have to alter something on the router. Andthat is where I'm stuck.
These old grey cells don't like learning new tricks!
Any help / advice appreciated
Cheers

[janet]

swarfmaker

Is your sme server in server and gateway mode or server only mode ?

In server and gateway mode you would typically set your modem/router to bridged mode and let sme server do all the firewall, gateway, DHCP server, ISP login client functions etc.

In server only mode your modem/router acts as the gateway, firewall & DHCP server etc.
The sme server and all other network devices (workstations etc) sit behind your router and switch.
sme server would have a local LAN IP.

It sounds like you have the latter configuration but have sme in server and gateway mode.
If so you should change sme server to server only mode, use only one NIC and give the server a local LAN IP

[swarfmaker]

Thanks for the reply Mary,
My SME Server is set up in server and gateway mode. My ultimate aim is to move my email from my ISP to the SME Server.
Have you any idea what settings I need to change in the router? The router website is not much help.

[jameswilson]

You will need to disable the dhcp server on your router. Ideally you want to connect only your router to the wan side of your sme and connect all internal desktops to a seperate switch.
Then your sme server will become the router etc.

[TerryF]

Your physical layout should look like this for Server-Gateway..

Modem -> SME Server -> 8 port switch -> PCs

Depending on your voip setup the voip phone it may also plug directly into your modem or the 8 port switch.

Above requires two NICs on the SME server...

[swarfmaker]

You will need to disable the dhcp server on your router. Ideally you want to connect only your router to the wan side of your sme and connect all internal desktops to a seperate switch.
Then your sme server will become the router etc.

This I have done, but please see below

Your physical layout should look like this for Server-Gateway..

Modem -> SME Server -> 8 port switch -> PCs

Depending on your voip setup the voip phone it may also plug directly into your modem or the 8 port switch.

Above requires two NICs on the SME server...

This is how things are set up.
If DHCP is switched off on router the router is not visible when I do a netscan.
original setup is:-
router on x.x.x.1
voip phone on x.x.x.2
Network printer on x.x.x.3
SME Server on x.x.x.5
Then workstations on higher numbers
Plus wireless access
when I switch off DCHP on the router, addresses x.x.x.1 and x.x.x.2 are no longer visible on netscan and internet access is down.

[TerryF]

Where is the modem, I presume it is also the router..where is the 8 port switch, I also preseum between the modem/router and everything else.

Like that you have setup SME server to operate in a server only config...

If that is correct, leave DHCP on on the modem/router, forward the relevant ports from the modem/router to the SME srver ip turn off DHCP on SME server...

or have I got it all cockeyed..

[swarfmaker]

The setup is:-
Modem/router ->SME server -> 8 port switch ->workstations

I've since looked at the sme admin screen and discovered that the outgoing NIC has somehow got the address 192.168.0.101 But I'm sure that I set it to something on the 172.16.x.x range. If this needs resetting how do I do that? I've gone through the configuration process on the server and once the outgoing NIC has been identified it does not give you the option of entering an address.

[larieu]

As you said you are a Windows user
and You don't have internet access through your server
conect the keyboard and monitor on the server and

login on your console on the server as admin with your password
you'll get into one blue-is screen (frendly one) and start to reconfigure your server

pay attention that first interface you set is the Local one not the external one

[janet]

swarfmaker

With sme in server and gateway mode do the following:
You need to totally reconfigure your modem/router into Bridged mode, which means that all signals pass straight through.
Disable DHCP server & Firewall & QoS, and any other functions in the router, as sme server will now be your router.

In sme server login as admin and run Configure this server and enter your ISP login details or whichever type of setup your Internet connection is.
Enter your domain name FQDN or at least enter a fake domain name in the form mydomainname.com, it's far better to use a free name from dyndns.com if you don't have an existing real domain name
Enter your WAN IP if you have a static IP, otherwise configure for pppoe or whatever.
Enter a LAN IP of 192.168.1.1 (or the same as what your router LAN IP used to be).
Enable DHCP server

Rearrange your physical network to be
Modem (bridged mode) -> WAN NIC -SME Server-LAN NIC -> 8 port switch -> PCs, VOIP fone, Network Printer, any other devices

Run the test Internet connection from admin console, swap NIC cables if necessary

Go to server manager (via a workstation) and set the DOMAIN/Workgroup name & enable Domain Controller if needed
Configure other settings

[TerryF]

Like mary said....