DNS Propagation Woes

So there I was, working on a Windows XP system that is a part of an Active Directory domain.

The network consists of a Class A network using the typical 10.10.x.x IP range (variably subnetted of course). I guess you could argue that’s it’s not a true Class A because we’re using VLSM and CIDR, but that’s just getting technical!

I was asked to rename the workstation from hostnameA to hostnameB.

Seems simple enough…

So I RDC’d into the system in question (because sneakernet is so 90’s) and logged in as a Domain Admin and I removed the system from the domain by adding it to the workgroup known as “WORKGROUP” then I rebooted.

I then RDC’d back in and logged in as the local admin, renamed the hostname from hostnameA to hostnameB and re-added the machine to the domain.

I rebooted and I attempted to RDC into the system again. NO JOY! What gives?

So I pinged the system in question using the new hostnameB and it came back with an IP address that’s not in the correct subnet. Hmmm… Me thinks something is amiss here.

So I ping the old hostnameA and I get the original IP address that IS in the correct subnet.

So I RDCed into the system in question via the IP address and I logged in as a Domain Admin and I dropped to the command prompt and ran an ipconfig /all to reveal that the hostnameB truly was on the domain and in the right subnet and using the correct DNS server(s).

On my local box, I dropped to the command prompt and I ran ipconfig /displaydns to see that hostnameB was in the wrong subnet. I then ran an ipconfig /all against my local machine and noticed I’m on a different set of DNS servers and in a different subnet.

I then checked the primary DNS server – nope – no hint of hostnameB, but hostnameA still existed. I then logged into the secondary DNS server – we’re looking good. hostnameA was gone and hostnameB was in it’s place.

So the culprit is that the primary and secondary DNS servers hadn’t propagated yet. The funny thing is, they still hadn’t propagated after 30 minutes! So I contacted the network admin in charge and asked what the propagation intervals are set to. His answer was, “I don’t know.”

Anyhoo – that’s all that I can do – I’ll just let propagation take its course I guess – whenever that is ’sposed to be!

In the mean time, I’ll update this here blog thereby describing the quandary!

Normally, I’d categorize this under “Tech Journal -> Microsoft Windows”, but this seems more like a rant so I’m filing it under “Miscellaneous.” Nevertheless, there is some merit to the troubleshooting here. Enjoy!

My First Pet Peeves With Microsoft Windows 7

I’ve been running Microsoft Windows 7 Professional on my Asus Netbook for nearly a month now.

I have recently run into two things that have TRULY ANNOYED me with regards to the new interface.

First off, manually adding applications to the Star tMenu under Windows XP was as simple as right-clicking the Start button. But in Windows 7, this is no longer the case. In fact, it took me several minutes of poking around to find where the new location was and what a pain it was to get there!

Secondly, I was working on an Active Directory installation and I decided to attach my Windows 7 laptop to the domain for testing purposes. Again, things are not where I expected them to be! I would typically right-click on “My Computer” and then click on “Manage” and drill down from there. The process has now changed and the settings are hidden under “Remote Access.” Now riddle me this Batman, but LAN access does not sound like Remote Access (RAS/VPN) to me. Does it to you?

What I truly don’t understand is why Microsoft has to keep changing the locations of things. Look at Mac or Linux – the directory structures and the menu structures, for the most part remain unchanged. It’s easy to adjust from one version to the next. But with Windows, it’s the proverbially guessing game each time.

Microsoft – for the love of consistency, can we have some… CONSISTENCY!

Sonoma Technology Partners

Sonoma Technology Partners
2382 Laylani Court
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
United States
(707) 536-9990 – Tel
http://www.sonomatechnologypartners.com

Supervisor(s): Tracy Lubas and Matthew Brooks

Position: Sub-Contractor / Network Administrator / Desktop Support Technician

From: February 3, 2009
To: Present

Primary Responsibilities:
My primary responsibilities have been that of an on-call/on-site Sr. Network Administrator to the various clients supported by Sonoma Technology Partners.

I have designed, implemented and supported Microsoft Windows 2000 and 2003 Active Directory domains for many of Sonoma Technology Partners’ client base. The majority of Sonoma Technology Partners’ client base utilize Dell PowerEdge servers.

During the design and implementation phase of the various Microsoft Windows 2003 networks, I typically configure the server for Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and File and Print Sharing services along with any required user management such as logins, login scripts, home directories and any required shared resources.

Secondary Responsibilities:
My secondary responsibilities have been that of an on-call/on-site desktop support technician to the various clients supported by Sonoma Technology Partners.

I have provided hands-on technical support of Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista and Apple Macintosh OS X workstations. The majority of Sonoma Technology Partners’ client base utilize Dell and Apple Macintosh desktop and laptop workstations.

Clients Supported:
Clients that I have personally provided services to are as follows:

• Post Carbon Institute, Sebastopol, CA
  • Wiped server hard drives for resale/redistribution
  • Inventoried servers and network hardware for resale/redistribution
• Hillcrest Elementary School, Sebastopol, CA
  • Replaced deprecated server hardware with Dell PowerEdge T100
  • Replaced Windows NT 4.0 Server with Windows 2003 SE R2
  • Configured Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, File and Print Sharing services
  • Migrated user accounts, files and folders
  • Migrated Windows XP clients to new domain
  • Mapped various drives and printers through logon scripts
• Forestville Elementary School, Forestville, CA
  • Reinstalled and reconfigured Symantec Backup Exec 10
• La Tercera Elementary School, Petaluma, CA
  • Configured HP LaserJet 4 printer for network access
  • Provided on-site desktop support of Windows XP and OS X desktop systems
• Miwok Elementary School, Petaluma, CA
  • Configured File and Print Sharing services
• Old Adobe Union School District, District Office, Petaluma, CA
  • Replaced deprecated server hardware with Dell PowerEdge T100
  • Replaced Windows NT 4.0 Server with Windows 2003 SE R2
  • Configured Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, File and Print Sharing services
  • Migrated user accounts, files and folders
  • Migrated Windows XP clients to new domain
  • Mapped various drives and printers through logon scripts
• Old Adobe Elementary School, Petaluma, CA
  • Recovered user data from deprecated laptop
• Sonoma Mountain Elementary School
  • Replaced deprecated server hardware with Dell PowerEdge T100
  • Replaced Windows NT 4.0 Server with Windows 2003 SE R2
  • Configured Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, File and Print Sharing services
  • Migrated user accounts, files and folders
  • Migrated Windows XP clients to new domain
  • Mapped various drives and printers through login scripts

Groundwork Open Source Solutions

Groundwork Open Source Solutions
139 Townsend Street, Suite 100
San Francisco, CA 94107
United States
(415) 992-5400 – Tel
http://www.groundworkopensource.com

Supervisor(s): Michael Brooding and Thomas Stocking

Position: Network Administrator

From: November 2004
To: May 2006

Primary Responsibilities:

• Managed Windows 2000 Active Directory domain
• Managed Red Hat Enterprise and Suse Enterprise Linux servers
• Supported SonicWALL VPN router and Cisco 2900 XL managed switches
• Administered Samba, VPN, Email and JIRA user accounts
• Supported company trade show presence at LinuxWorld 2005
• Wrote software deployment bash/shell scripts for Groundwork Monitor v3.0
• Supported Windows XP and Linux on IBM, Sony, Alienware and Dell laptops
• Supported Apple Macintosh laptops running OS X
• Managed weekly tape rotation using Retrospect
• Assisted with the deployment and administration of the Scalix email platform
• Provided in-house support for WebEx and Saleforce integration within Microsoft Outlook

Reason For Leaving:
Resigned for career advancement opportunity.