Need some advice on learning networking

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

That's probably the issue right there: building servers with consumer components is always going to end in trouble since you either end up with an underpowered system or hardware that the OS doesn't completely support.

Server 2016 is a variant of Windows 10, but the driver structure is slightly different. You may need to find an older driver to get it to play nicely with the OS.

You're in a world of hurt and without knowing just what components are in that server it's not going to be fun.

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I have the disk that came with the motherboard that has all the drivers but I installed and still nothing showing up under network adapters. I've got to come up with something.

[rthonpm]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Sounds like a PCI Ethernet card is in your future. Long term it's probably the best solution since that way you can at least be sure the card supports Server 2016.

For the rest of the system, all bets are off.

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[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Sounds like a PCI Ethernet card is in your future. Long term it's probably the best solution since that way you can at least be sure the card supports Server 2016.

For the rest of the system, all bets are off.

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I had to study up on Ethernet Cards. You'll have to overlook my ignorance. I think I understand what you're talking about now. Correct me if I'm wrong.


Because this is a homemade sever, the Ethernet Card must support Windows Sever 2016 and the correct drivers must be installed. Correct.


And you're saying that instead of trying to find a driver that will work, it will be easier to install PCI Ethernet card? Correct?

I'll probably do that but it's bugging me that I can't get this one to work.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I'm finally starting to understand the gravity of the situation.


This server was built with components (motherboard) that wasn't designed to run Windows Server 2016, thus there are no drivers that are designed to work with it.

I did read a workaround that was very involved. I'm not doing all of that. PCI Ethernet card it is.

[rthonpm]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I had to study up on Ethernet Cards. You'll have to overlook my ignorance. I think I understand what you're talking about now. Correct me if I'm wrong.


Because this is a homemade sever, the Ethernet Card must support Windows Sever 2016 and the correct drivers must be installed. Correct.


And you're saying that instead of trying to find a driver that will work, it will be easier to install PCI Ethernet card? Correct?

I'll probably do that but it's bugging me that I can't get this one to work.

You've understood correctly. The PCI card connects to the motherboard like a video card or other add-on component. I used to keep one or two of them in stock just in case of a bad NIC, or for an upgrade from an onboard 10/100 connection to a gigbit (10/100/1000) connection.

As a bonus, if you still want to do dig into the issue, you can always use the card to get them back up while still trying to figure out what happened, though really it sounds like the onboard NIC was dying and just needed an extra push to finally stop working.

Desktop motherboards aren't build anywhere with the same durability as a server's components, which are built with the intention of running 24/7 with minimal downtime for reboots or other upgrades. There's also a reason that the support time for servers is considerably longer than any desktop system.

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[slimslob]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I'm finally starting to understand the gravity of the situation.


This server was built with components (motherboard) that wasn't designed to run Windows Server 2016, thus there are no drivers that are designed to work with it.

I did read a workaround that was very involved. I'm not doing all of that. PCI Ethernet card it is.

Was the customer ever able to access the internet or connect to a local network?

I can see 2 possible problems, the on board interface has failed or it has been turned off in the bios. Windows find new hardware will only find on board devices that are enabled. If you can access CMOS settings at power, check to see if you enable the network interface. Otherwise an add on interface is the only way, either PCI or USB.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Was the customer ever able to access the internet or connect to a local network?

I can see 2 possible problems, the on board interface has failed or it has been turned off in the bios. Windows find new hardware will only find on board devices that are enabled. If you can access CMOS settings at power, check to see if you enable the network interface. Otherwise an add on interface is the only way, either PCI or USB.

When I arrived, there was yellow triangle by the network adaptor symbol at the bottom right of the screen. I ran the network troubleshooter and the suggested fix was to reset the network adaptor...so I clicked on "apply this fix".

When the PC rebooted there was now a red x by the network adapter symbol and no network adapter is being recognized.

The thing is that before I applied the fix at least other computers could access the server...now they can't.

It's kind of a mess because the motherboard isn't designed to run Sever 2016 and there's no telling what drivers were installed to make it work. And they were already having problems with the sever losing connectivity. I think a PCI NIC card is gonna be the best solution.

I learn a lot from these experiences but damn it's stressful. lol

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Was the customer ever able to access the internet or connect to a local network?

I can see 2 possible problems, the on board interface has failed or it has been turned off in the bios. Windows find new hardware will only find on board devices that are enabled. If you can access CMOS settings at power, check to see if you enable the network interface. Otherwise an add on interface is the only way, either PCI or USB.

I see what you mean about the NIC being turned off in bios. I just looked at those settings on my PC. I didn't even know that was a thing. I need to check that out on the problem machine. I wonder how it would have gotten turned off? Any ideas?

[slimslob]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I see what you mean about the NIC being turned off in bios. I just looked at those settings on my PC. I didn't even know that was a thing. I need to check that out on the problem machine. I wonder how it would have gotten turned off? Any ideas?

Power glich. Is it plugged into at least a surge suppressor?

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Power glich. Is it plugged into at least a surge suppressor?

No, it's not plugged into a surge suppressor.

[rthonpm]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

No, it's not plugged into a surge suppressor.

This should be plugged into a UPS to prevent issues. Most decent UPS manufacturers offer a software component you can install on the system so that it can gracefully shut down the system before the battery backup in the UPS completely discharges. I've installed plenty of these on servers and critical desktop systems and other than something catastrophic they've prevented a lot of bigger issues.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

This should be plugged into a UPS to prevent issues. Most decent UPS manufacturers offer a software component you can install on the system so that it can gracefully shut down the system before the battery backup in the UPS completely discharges. I've installed plenty of these on servers and critical desktop systems and other than something catastrophic they've prevented a lot of bigger issues.

I'll advise them to purchase a UPS.

Just to follow up on this problem...I ordered the PCI card that you recommended (Thank You) and I found a USB Ethernet adaptor that I bought a while back for a laptop I owned. I plugged it in the Dell Sever that I bought from XBYTE and it worked perfectly and I'm running Server 2019. I'm gonna try it Monday..unit the PCI card arrives.


I want to thank you for all your help. This has me stressed out.

[slimslob]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I'll advise them to purchase a UPS.

Just to follow up on this problem...I ordered the PCI card that you recommended (Thank You) and I found a USB Ethernet adaptor that I bought a while back for a laptop I owned. I plugged it in the Dell Sever that I bought from XBYTE and it worked perfectly and I'm running Server 2019. I'm gonna try it Monday..unit the PCI card arrives.


I want to thank you for all your help. This has me stressed out.

Relax, take a deep breath and proof read.`I believe that should be until not unit.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I was able to get everyone back connected to the server by using a USB Ethernet Adapter. I also showed the owner documentation that whomever built the server used a motherboard that only supports Windows 10 and not Server 2016.

They want me to give them a quote on a new server.


On a side note: When I showed up this morning the onboard NIC was showing up (don't know how the hell that happened) but again it had the yellow triangle beside the network adapter icon and would not connect to the internet. I'm thinking a windows update may have caused issues because this was the original problem before I ever touched the server.

[rthonpm]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

My guess would be that the onboard NIC isn't making complete contact with the systemboard so it's sort of floating back and forth between knowing something is there and not seeing the hardware at all. Probably a bad solder joint or just the overall hardware dying out from being pushed 24/7 for who knows how long.

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