RE: DHCP server not found: autoconfiguration IP addr.

From: Tim Rains [MSFT] (timra_at_online.microsoft.com)
Date: 02/12/04 

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 17:14:36 GMT

Hi Dave. Thank-you for your post.

Since this happens on different networks it sounds like it could be an
issue with the client. But it really sounds like the clients DHCP requests
are not making it to the DHCP server.

In the case of your network at work, the symptoms that you are describing
really sound like a configuration issue on the switch. Don't laugh just
yet...but the most common cause of the symptoms that you are describing is
that the spanning tree algorithm is enabled on the ports that you are
plugging your laptop into. When you plug your laptop into such a port, it
may take a while for the port to initialize. During this time the port
will not switch traffic to/from the laptop. Your laptop is trying to get a
DHCP address during this same period, but can't because its traffic is not
being switched to the network where the DHCP server resides. You will end
up with an APIPA address. On most new gear this should not be a problem
though.

168455 DHCP Renewal Failures on Switched Networks
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=168455

A very handy tool for troubleshooting issues like this is dhcploc.exe.
Simply run <dhcploc.exe client's_IP_addr> Make sure you specify your
client's current IP address not the DHCP server's address. You should use
a routable IP address for this test rather than an APIPA address. When it
runs you will see a blank screen. Every time you press the 'd' key, it
will send a DHCP discovery message and will display the server details of
any DHCP server that responds. Using this along with network monitor you
will see if the client's request is making it onto the wire and if the
server is responding, etc. Press the 'q' key to exit dhcploc. Dhcploc is
in the NT Resource Kit.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechn
ol/winntas/support/advtshoot/x0a_tool.asp

Other possibilities: do you have any IPSec policies limiting traffic
to/from the network? Do you have any filter drivers installed like
personal firewalls, etc? If so, disable them and test...

I hope that helps.

Tim Rains
Product Support Services
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

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