Accessing remote files on local server on windows server 2012

Question

Hi! I am having issues accessing my remote files on my local server. Here's the scoop.

So I have a server running windows server 2012 (not 2012 R2) and I'm having trouble accessing files on it from other computers. I used to have it connected via wifi (I know, not a good practice with a server but it's all I had at the time) and when it was connected on wifi I could access the files from all my computers on my local network. I have recently ditched the wireless connection and hooked it up with ethernet and now all of my computers except for 1 can connect to the remote drives. My laptop is able to connect just fine and I can connect to the server with remote desktop on any of the computers but only 1 of my computers can connect to the remote drive. All of my computers including the server are on the same network. My main desktop and laptop are on wifi, my other desktop is connected to the router via ethernet. When I try to connect to my remote drives on the computers that can't connect, it just say it was unable to find the location. I have tried pinging the server with command prompt and I am able to ping it. The only thing that has changed was that I hooked the server up with ethernet, I didn't change any network settings or anything. I am at a loss to figure out why only my laptop can connect to the remote location when all my computers are on the same network. Any and all suggestions greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time!

Answer 1

For the newer OS's enabling network discovery may help.

Check File and Printer sharing enabled on all, and that these services are started on all members *DNS Client, Function Discovery Resource Publication, SSDP Discovery UPnP Device Host * and also check the firewalls allow Network Discovery for the network profile you're using (in my example below using domain).

standing up your own local DNS server would be the more bullet proof method.

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Answer 2

Everything I stated originally still holds true. Might also try standing up a local DNS server if no joy. In this scenario the server and problem members all use the DNS server's ip address for DNS and no others such as router or public DNS, clients use local DNS for local site name resolution. Client's internet queries are resolved in a top-level down fashion by the 13 root hint servers or optionally any configured forwarders.

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Answer 3

Hi,

How did you access remote files? Via \IP address\share or \hostname\share in explorer? I noticed that you are using a third-party firewall, please temporally disable AV software and then see the results. This can narrow down whether the issue is related with AV software.

Best Regards,
Candy

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Answer 4

Any progress or updates?

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Answer 5

I've tried looking in to problems on the server side

Not sure what is meant? Have you contacted the firewall vendor, did you try standing up a DNS server?

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