Workgroup users get disconnected - Server reboot to reconnect

[Guest chigrboy]

I have a workgroup at a remote location that periodically, everyone gets

disconnected from the server (at the same time) and work grinds to a halt.

The only recourse is to reboot the server to get everyone working again.

And... this has to be fixed pronto.

 

Here's the rundown of the network:

 

1. The network is shared with other companies - we have or own

gateway/internet connection (this is new as of yeasterday so this is not

related).

2. Each company has 1 or more WorkGroup servers (no domain controllers)

3. We have 13 people in our workgroup

4. Our Server:

Dell SC1430 (New)

4 GBs RAM

Plenty of HD space

Windows server 2003 R2 SP2

Is not running DHCP (DHCP provided by Other company's server)

Installed apps:

Syncs with main office using a 3rd party sync software (filerelication

pro)

Symantec antivirus software (Corporate V11)

SonicWall VPN Client

APC PowerChutes

 

 

5. Workstations: All Dell Precision (High end)

Windows XP pro

 

- Users say a noticable slow down occurs until finally, they can't connect.

 

- All Sessions have been ended

 

- CAN Ping the server when this occurs (both Ip and host name)

 

- CAN remote desktop into server when this occurs

 

- Nothing appears in the logs that would indicate a problem (besides lots of

MASTER BROWSER elections).

 

- I was logged into the server via remote desktop once when this occured.

The only thing that I could see was that there was high network traffic and

that point (higher then normal) could that have killed the connections and if

yes - why?

 

When I pullup performance monitor, the overall apperance of the server is

that it is mostly under utilized ( Very low Page per sec, Disk queue length

avg .110, Processor -not a factor)

 

I'm almost out of ideas and this needs to be fixed as it's costing money in

lost production, frustrated users in a stressful enviroment, job security

(for me - losing footing!)

 

Thanks for taking the time to read through this.