Can see network, but cannot connect

bro67 · 14 Aug 2017

Samuria said:

Local network doesnt use dns it uses netbios does this show all pc and which one is master browser NetBScanner - NetBIOS scanner
Then on a pc you cant connect to from a cmd prompt type
net share
post results

Sorry to break your heart. Netbios is a left over from the old legacy days. Modern day systems do not even use NBF anymore. They resolve with the IP out of the DNS scheme and NBT. I do not even see CIFS staying around much longer, since it is a hashed up protocol that Microsoft created in order to communicate in the first days of SMB1.

The last time that I remember using WINS and Netbios, was back in the Windows 9x and NT4 days. Those days are gone. Microsoft is stuck in the past in how they allow their machines to communicate across a network, especially in today's mixed networks that the gateway/router is running on Linux, streaming devices are running on Android OS, tablets and smartphones either running Android OS or iOS, along with desktops and laptops that may be running Windows, Linux, Chrome OS or Mac OS. Even now as we speak, there are Android based Laptops that are out on the market.

SoundOfMind · 15 Aug 2017

maconnolly said:

Really simplistic first step - but can you replace the DNS name in the network path with the IP address of the server and confirm if there is a different result?

So, if you have \\SERVERNAME\ShareName, instead, type \\xx.xx.xx.xx\ShareName into the address bar in Windows Explorer on the client machine.

If it is able to resolve by IP address, but not by DNS name, then the issue is with DNS resolution and we can look at why that is.
@SoundOfMind - you could try something similar and report back; this may equally be a DNS issue for you.

Thanks so much!! Setting the static IP did allow me to access server shares. Then I messed with my router and wireless access point. The WAP was doing it's own DNS (which I just now changed back to using the modem/router DNS). That was done because the modem/router seems a little flaky. If it is still unreliable, I might disable the router portion and add a router.

maconnolly · 25 Sep 2017

SoundOfMind said:

Thanks so much!! Setting the static IP did allow me to access server shares. Then I messed with my router and wireless access point. The WAP was doing it's own DNS (which I just now changed back to using the modem/router DNS). That was done because the modem/router seems a little flaky. If it is still unreliable, I might disable the router portion and add a router.

Sorry to respond to this after such a long time - but I'm glad you were able to make some progress!

In general, I'm glad things are functioning now - although if you want us to go further into it, please feel free to respond. You're also welcome to PM me if you'd like to avail more details about specific configurations on different equipment that you are concerned about.

Can see network, but cannot connect

Thanks maconnolly!