Hi all, I'm just curious whether I should have server access when my internet goes down?

 

I have a home network consisting of: two windows machines and an unraid server. They are connected via cat6 Ethernet cables to a DGND 3700 net gear modem router.

 

Every time my internet goes down from my ISP or disconnect the phone line from the router my server access drops out, I can no longer stream media from my unraid server.

 

The windows machines can still see each other as their in a home group? I guess. Obviously unraid can't join a windows group, how do I setup my server so it has access with out requiring the internet connection?

 

Cheers

Steve

Hi all, I'm just curious whether I should have server access when my internet goes down?

 

......

 

The windows machines can still see each other as their in a home group? I guess. Obviously unraid can't join a windows group, how do I setup my server so it has access with out requiring the internet connection?

 

Cheers

Steve

 

Oh yes, your server can join a Windows Workgroup!  You make the settings under 'Settings', 'SMB'.  Enable SMB.  Set the 'Workgroup' to match what you are using on your Windows network.  Set 'Local Master' to "Yes".  Remember to click on 'Apply'. 

 

Now, it does take some time for everything to propagate through the Windows network.  It also helps if you shut down EVERYTHING that using Windows networking or SMB (including media players).  Leave your unRAID server on and running.  After about fifteen to twenty minutes, turn each device back on one-at-a-time, waiting three to four minutes between devices.  Normally, everything will be working at the conclusion.  If not, don't panic.... Drive to Starbucks, get a Latte, drink it slowly there and go back home.  (Well, you don't have to actually drive to Starbucks, but you do have to be very, very patient sometimes .)

Just because your internet goes down, doesn't mean your server should stop "working".

 

Whats the ips of your unraid server and your win7 machines (I actually don't need the exact ones, i just want to make sure they are 192.168.xxx.xxx or similar).

 

I haven't "verified" that mine still works if my internet is down, but i guess i could try.

 

Do you have a modem, then a router, then all your devices, or is your router also your modem?

Hi all, I'm just curious whether I should have server access when my internet goes down?

 

Of course you should.  Access to unRAID should not be dependant on Internet access  - something is misconfigured within your network

 

I'm guessing that your ip addresses/masks/gateway are wrong and all your server traffic is going via your isp's gateway - it wouldn't be the first time I've seen this happening.

 

Please post the ip network configuration of each of your machines.

I can confirm that unraid will still function without Internet. I have been without Internet for 9 months, my server functions just fine. Obviously it complains a lot about packages not being downloaded or network time servers not found but everything else still functions. This was in a workgroup configuration and later in Active Directory.

 

Unraid rc5 to rc12a

Stock unraid works without internet (Although, for any practical use, still needs access to a intranet), although, I've noticed lots of plugins break unraid if they don't have internet, few things that happen:-

 

A. Boot never finishes (Hang on downloading files)

B. WebUI doesn't work

C. Samba doesn't work

Hi thanks for all the replies, I figured it should be able to work. I have a modem/router all in one so this is connected to the internet. The router then routes 4 ethernet cables to my machines. 1 printer 1 htpc 1 server 1 laptop. When I access my net gear dgnd3700 web GUI page I see 3 devices listed in the attached devices column. IP address for laptop is 192.168.0.2, htpc is 192.168.0.3, printer is 192.168.0.6 server is obviously not showing. I believe the gateway is 192.168.0.1 but I can't confirm that atm, perhaps because my internet is down.

 

I have my network setup as a home group not a work group, not sure if that makes a diff in windows 7.

The DGND 3700 has a 4-port Gigabit switch incorporated (the yellow ports).    Are all of your systems (especially the UnRAID server) plugged into these yellow ports? 

 

Whether or not you have internet should make NO difference in the performance of your server UNLESS you have a plugin that requires full-time internet access and is "hanging" the server when it loses it.    How do you have UnRAID configured?

 

Yes the cables are using the 4 yellow ports. Mate, I set up the unfair array a few years ago and haven't really looked at it since. From memory I purchased a 5 drive account installed it onto a USB key plugged it into the back of a purpose built tower plugged it into the network and accessed the login screen with a keyboard and monitor, punched in the default root password commands and I was off and running. At the time I had an apple airport base station extreme and its software was terrible I had to get a $100/hr guy in to configure the network. He assigned static IP addresses to my machines I think. Since then the net gear router has distributed new ip's, mentioned above. I'm not sure if there dchp or static anymore?

Okay, but it's important to know what is the ip address of the server (netmask and gateway too, if you can find the information) ...

OK, just not sure where to get that info, I forgot the IP commands I've been trying to Google them. Not sure if there available when I have no connection, I'll keep trying

Here we go:

Subnet mask 255.255.255.0

Default gateway 192.168.0.1

Dchp server 192.168.0.1

DNS servers 192.168.0.1

NetBIOS over tcpip enabled

I've read a few help threads on this subject. if i can get my unraid server to show up in my 'network places' this should fix the problem yes? I have read that windows live sign in assistant causes the problem, however that program does not show in my programs list. Not sure how to set up a work group with the samba share though? If anyone knows how that would be great.. Frank you mentioned this, any chance you could clarify some steps for me.

 

Cheers

Steve

Does everything work okay when the internet is working?

 

If so, log into the Web GUI, go to the Settings tab, and confirm that the UnRAID server is using DHCP.  Both "Obtain IP Address Automatically"  and  "Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically" should be set to "Yes".

 

Then reboot the UnRAID server.    That should resolve the problem.  If not, also reboot your DGND 3700.

 

By the way, it's not necessary for the UnRAID server to show up in "My Network Places" => whether that happens or not depends on the BrowseMaster settings.    But accessing \\Tower\  in Windows Explorer should show your shares;  and going to //Tower/ in Internet Explorer should display the Web GUI.

 

thanks for those tips Gary,

WebGUI shows:

Domain name server (DNS) address is set to Get automatically from ISP

Internet IP address is set to Get automatically from ISP.

 

The internet has been restored and the router see's the wired machine 'Tower' displayed with IP address 192.168.0.7

 

I can once again access my //tower from explorer.

 

However if i disconnect the internet the router loses the 'Tower' and //tower command no longer works, with out active internet my server is inaccessible.

Perhaps it is my firewall, I have always had this issue but recently purchased norton 360. I have disabled the 'smart firewall' currently to attempt to fix this issue, but i ahve not written any rules for the firewall...

REALLY strange => whether or not you have internet access should have NO impact on the ability to use the server !!

 

What is the configuration of your UnRAID box?    i.e. EXACTLY what plug-ins/add-ons do you have running?

For example, if I was answering that question, I'd say:  UnRAID v4.7; UnMenu v1.6 with CleanPowerDown and APC UPS packages installed; nothing else.

 

WebGUI for unraid says 4.7. I may have unmenu installed i forget.. not sure where to find that out? i dont recall installing any other plugins or addons, just the basic unraid 4.7

 

edit: ahh just found the local master is set to NO setting in unraid and the workgroup is set to Mshome..? not sure if playing around with these will make a diff

Setting Local Master to yes didnt do anything

Local Master in UnRAID should be No.

 

Workgroup should match your Windows network => for example, mine is "Cases" on all my PCs and in UnRAID.

 

On one of your Windows PC's, right-click on Computer; select Properties; and it will show you your Workgroup name.

Local Master in UnRAID should be No.

 

Workgroup should match your Windows network => for example, mine is "Cases" on all my PCs and in UnRAID.

I always want my unRAID server to be the local master if at all possible, so have it set to yes.  Setting it to no can make it a bit of a crap-shoot as to whether the server can be accessed by name (as it relies on whatever PC is acting as the Master browser noticing the unRAID server is there).

I suppose it depends on what other (if any) Browse Masters you have in the system.  In general, you only want one, so if the other systems are all Windows you don't need UnRAID to be competing with them.

 

In any event, I don't think it's an issue here.

 

i have renamed the work network here

but as seen on the left it still shows s the default name windows gives it i guess.

I have rebooted the laptop, havent rebooted the router yet.

 

Is this where i change the workgroup name?. The name for my workgroup on my htpc is also showing as WORKGROUP..

Not sure how to set up a work group with the samba share though? If anyone knows how that would be great.. Frank you mentioned this, any chance you could clarify some steps for me.

 

Cheers

Steve

 

 

On Win7 machine, go to 'Start', 'Control Panel', 'System'.  Stroll down until you see "Computer Name, domain, and Workgroup settings".  Click on the blue 'Change Setting' link.  get the name of the workgroup.  I believe any capitalization is important.  Write it down.  DON'T change anything in Windows!

 

Now go to your unRAID server GUI.  Goto 'Settings', 'SMB'.  For 'Enable SMB', select 'Yes (Workgroup)'.  Click on 'Apply'.  Enter the name that you copied from the Win7 machine into the Workgroup box.  Set 'Local Master' to 'Yes'.  Click on 'Apply'. 

 

You may have to shut down all of the Windows machines for a half hour to allow your unRAID server to become the Local Master.  (The Windows networking scheme is a real kudge.)  Restart each Windows machine waiting about five minutes between each.  If everything is still not showing up walk away and allow Windows time to figure things out.  Once it does, things will generally work right.  If you don't shutdown down your unRAID server, it will remain the Local Master and everything will continue to work fine.

 

By the way, if you are not using DHCP, whether you can use //TOWER will depend on your router.  I know mine will not add anything to its local DNS  table unless it assigns the address via DHCP process.  However, the http://192.168.1.xxx will always work to get to the GUI!