Windows 7 Windows shared and sql connection drops

[geo77]

Hello all,
I am facing a problem, I can't seem to figure out in some of my workstations mainly running windows 7.

So, I have two physical networks connected via vpn, and because I needed to have them resolve by name I had to set up a wins server and add it to all of my workstations for the resolution purposes.

I'm not sure if this has anything to do with my problems, but it seems to have started around the time when I set up the wins server. I can now ping by name from both locations, by name.

However, some of the workstations in the same physical building as my server have started to have some connectivity, mainly the mapped drive to the server stops working as well as a data application that uses a MS Sql database connection drops on certain computers.

I have made sure on at least one of the computers facing the issue has no firewall enabled or anything blocking it, I can ping the server continuously without an issue. I am kind of at a dead end, because of my limited knowledge of windows networking.
I am on a windows workgroup and using windows server 2008 R2

Thank you all for any help.

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like the connectivity issues you are facing on some of the workstations after setting up the WINS server could be related to name resolution or network configuration. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Check WINS Configuration:
   • Ensure that the WINS server configuration is correct on all workstations. Verify that the WINS server IP address is set correctly on the problematic workstations.
   []Check Network Connectivity:
   • Confirm that there are no network issues such as packet drops, latency, or network congestion causing the connectivity problems. Use network diagnostic tools to check the network health.
   []Reset Winsock:
   • Reset the Winsock catalog on the affected workstations by opening an elevated Command Prompt and running netsh winsock reset.
   []Check DNS Settings:
   • Double-check the DNS settings on the workstations to ensure they are configured correctly. Make sure there are no conflicting DNS configurations.
   []Restart Network Services:
   • Restart network-related services on the workstations that are facing connectivity issues. Services like "Computer Browser" and "Workstation" are critical for name resolution and network browsing.
   []Test Connectivity:
   • Test connectivity to the server using different methods (ping, accessing shared folders, application connections) to isolate the specific connectivity problem.
   []Verify Server Accessibility:
   • Check if the server is accessible over the network from the problematic workstations. Ensure there are no network-related restrictions or firewall rules blocking the connections.
   []Review Event Logs:
   • Check the Event Viewer logs on both the server and the workstations for any network-related errors or warnings that might provide clues about the connectivity issues.
   []Update Network Drivers:
   • Update the network drivers on the affected workstations to the latest versions to ensure compatibility and performance.
2. Consider WINS Alternatives:
   • If the issues persist, consider alternatives for name resolution like using DNS services or exploring other options for network name resolution. By following these troubleshooting steps and systematically checking the network configuration, you can work towards resolving the connectivity issues you are experiencing on the workstations connected via VPN. If the problem persists, consulting with a network specialist or IT support professional may provide further insight and assistance in resolving the issue.