Within a Windows2003 environment.

Workstations can ping the Server using both the I.P. as well as using DNS

Server can ping the workstations using same methods, I.P. + DNS

However, anything Server related...Shares, Synchronizations and Networked printers are unavailable as the Server shows itself "Offline" <icon> on the workstations.

After a Server reboot, all is fine. <for a little while>

Sometime later (the length of time varies) things get "hosed" up again...and they don't see each other. Nothing relevant in the Event Viewer either.

Appears that on the reboot the necessary service is restarted. .../ But, during the "hose up", through "Services", each was restarted to no avail....

Thoughts?

Any error messages when you try and connect to the shares or print to the printers?

brings up the "time to live idea"

then there's the "conserve power element" which may
close the connection.... when idle after so many minutes

point being... seems like that's giving you the best clue

What are you running for anti-virus?

Looks like there is a known issue with Symantec Endpoint Protection that causes this issue.

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ent-security.nsf/docid/2007102613484948

he Scores

Chalk up another one

For: the DAD Fisherman :btu:

Symantec 11 S.E.P. hoses servers, especially SBS boxes. I have a client that got it for free and it brings a Quad Core XEON with 4GB ram to its knees (and this is after the upgrades and recommendations from Symantec)...

Is this a single server domain environment, multi server domain environment or workgroup?

Install the Server 2003 Resource Kit / Diagnostic tools, run DCDIAG (pretty sure that is in 2K3), see if you can ping the FQDM of the server from a workstation when the shares are offline.

If not the SEP like TDF said, I'd really suspect it is that DNS/AD is failing internally but really need to know more, especially if SBS

is the time synced with DC?

So Blooooo - whadya find ?? Curious Geeks Wanna Know

Thank you for your replys

As of right now, it appears to have been the AV...:uhuh:
There was a phantom scan starting as a scheduled task, this is why a reboot cleared the problem for a bit, After the scheduled start (which by the way was not listed on the Task schedule ?? ) a second scan would start and eventually hang up the connection.... Did a complete un-install/re-install and so far so good..........as I probably just jinxed myself...:wall:




:thanks: