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Installing NICs

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5 replies

by paul.brannigan

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I have just reformatted and installed a clean version of NT SBS. On installing the adaptors via network in control panel. I note that the nics are numbered [4] and [5]. The previous version of SBS before the reformat had 3 nics numbered [1], [2] and [3]. Why has this happened?

On inspecting the event log after instalation and before the server was connected to the lan, a brower election was reported. Why?

I am using an Intel dual port nic.

5 replies

by bohicam1

The answer to the first question is...when formatting, you do not wipe clean the master boot record. The MBR still has the info in it from the previous install. If you wish to totally wipe the drive clean, I suggest you download clearhdd, you can find it doing a search on google.com and getting it from any drive manufacturer that happens to pop-up.
As for the second question, it is a server, therefore it must establish which machine is the "head honcho" even though it is not on the lan and is the only machine up and running, it does not know that and will therefore hold an election to determine which machine is the master browser. The master browser is the machine that holds the list of which services are offered where, ie...which server is the print server, the app server, which server has any particular service to offer. When other puters connect to the lan they seek the master browser to get all this info.

Mike

by paul.brannigan

What info is held in the master boot record? Is there enough to leave the ghost of the previous nic install?

by brian

SBS is quite quirky. I don't know exactly why but I have found it is best when doing a fresh install to provide the hardware that the system thinks it will need. I.e. One Modem and One Network card. After the install completed I added the second network card. The first one is always at 10.0.0.2. I tried doing the install once without a modem and with 2 Network cards and it didn't work well at all. This is how I worked around it.

by brian

I would suggest using the dual port nic in another machine. At the least I would use another nic to install the system and then switch it out. I really don't think it is worth the hassles as this SBS package is full of surprises and often complicates simple manuevers. I would just put in one single port nic to install and then another single port nic to complete the job.

by paul.brannigan

During install I had no nics present to avoid complications and then added the nic afterwards. But the ghost was still present.

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