Mandrake as DHCP server...

[TheGreatPoo]

Hello all,

I posted this on Void Main's Forum as well but it seems to be down at the moment.

I am trying to set up a Mandrake Linux server to run DHCP for a Windoze machine (soon to be dual boot with Mandrake    ), and a Macintosh (OS 9.1).  I have already hooked everything up and set up (hub, cables, everything).  The mandrake server has all the packages it needs installed including Drakwizard.  Also, the server can access the internet (it's the only computer of the three that can at the moment).

The Problem:  I am trying to set up the DHCP server (because the manual on Mandrake's site says to set this one up before any others), and it appears that the only step involved is setting the IP address range.  Well, I type in the lowest (for instance 192.168.135.101) and the highest (for instance 192.168.135.105) but when I click next, it tells me that the range I specified is incorrect.  I have tried many different combinations of IP addresses to no avail.  Also, neither Mandrake's site, nor the manual I downloaded provide any solution.

This is probably something simple that I am overlooking but then again, this is the first time that I have ever set up a network.  Least I am doing it right by putting Linux as the server!

Thanks in advance and thanks or reading.

[Laukev7]

If no other step is involved, then either you use wrong addresses, or your server doesn't detect the other computers.

Have you tried a broader address range (ie. 192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255)? If you try this, at least you'll eliminate the possibility of a wrong ip address. I think the ip of server should always be 192.168.0.1 or perhaps in your case 192.168.135.1 .

Try to ping the address of your Windows machine on your server to see if it's detected. That would surprise me, though, because Mandrake 9.1 is supposed to use Rendezvous (perhaps called Zeroonf).

[Refalm]

My range is 192.168.1.100 - 192.168.1.104 and that worked pretty darn well...

[TheGreatPoo]

Yup, I've tried a broarder IP range still with no success.  How do I know if the server detects the other computers?  I have them turned on.

I have the network config for eth1 (eth0 is connected to the cable modem) set up as a static IP.  Should I change this?  What other configs do I need to check?

Sorry bout the n00b questions but I am in fact a n00b b00b.  

[KernelPanic]

Have you got the correct subnet mask? Using 192.168.x.x private IP's will only work on a class C subnet of 255.255.255.0 (well, there's more to it than that but as far as you are concered use 255.255.255.0)

[TheGreatPoo]

The subnet mask for eth1 is preset at 255.255.255.0 and I have not changed it.

Should I set up the Windoze and Mac machines first?  I though I would need to set up the server first, though.  Hmm.  Maybe if I change the Connection type from static to bootp?  This is all new to me.  

[KernelPanic]

Is it trying to act as  DHCP server on the wrong connection? ie your external cable access.

I mean, is there any option to choose?

[ June 12, 2003: Message edited by: Tux ]

[TheGreatPoo]

doesn't look like there is any option to choose but I do know that it is trying to act a a DHCP on the eth1 and not the eth0 (cable connection).  The reason I know this is because at first I couldn't even start the DHCP wizard because it said that the computer was in DHCP and that the DHCP server would conflict.  It wasn't until I switched eth1 from DHCP to something else (static IP right now) that I was able to start the wizard.  If it were trying to use the eth0 connection, I would not be able to start the wizard because eth0 is in DHCP to be able to connect to the cable modem.

I just want to take the time now to thank those who are helping me come to a conclusion.  Hopefully one can be found.  I am convinced that this is something simple that I am just overlooking.

[TheGreatPoo]

I am wondering if I have a setting configured incorrectly in the Mandrake Control Center: Network Configuration Wizard.

[KernelPanic]

I can't really help you because I havn't used Mandrake for a while and never like the new-fangled GUI configuration tools anyway.
Someone else will.

[TheGreatPoo]

I grew up with a Mac, and "matured" on Windows boxes so it's really hard for me to get away from the GUI.     I simply cannot see using a computer without one.  I would be very lost.

But thanx for tryin, Tux.  I appreaciate the time spent.

[Laukev7]

To check if your computer detects another, type in the terminal:

ping 192.168.xxx.xxx

[TheGreatPoo]

Does that ping from eth1 or will it try to ping through eth0 and the cable modem (which the other computer is not connected to)?

[TheGreatPoo]

Arg.  I have tried everything I can think of.  I have tried many different IP ranges, I have tried changing eth1's boot mode from "static" to "bootp", I have tried entering in an IP for eth1, I have tried no IP for eth1 and no subnet mask, I have tried disabling eth1, I have tried enabling eth1, arg.  Just arg.  The DHCP wizard keeps telling me that "The IP range you entered is incorrect."  What does that mean?!?  I though I specified the IP not tried to guess it until I got it right!

Sorry, I'm just a bit frustrated.  I'm not going to give up though.  I just don't know where to find the answer.  

[TheGreatPoo]

Update:

Ok, I got a little creative (if that's what you want to call it) and decided to try something.  I decided to open the network settings wizard and type in the IP range (in this format: XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX - XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX) in the box for eth1.  Well, I'm not sure if this solved my problem because when the IP is typed in that exact format, the DHCP Wizard will not open!  Weird!  I can type XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX-XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX (without the spaces on either side of the "-") and the DHCP Wizard will open but still tells me that the rnage I specified is incorrect.  Strange.  Very strange.

Forgive my n00b question but how can I configure this DHCP server without the wizard (GUI)?  I may not be very good at the command line but I can use it to a certain extent and am willing to try anything at this point.  

I also want to configure a DNS Server but the wizard will only allow me to specify an outside DNS server.  The Manual says that if I want to configure a DNS server, I have to do it by hand but gives no instructions on how to do so.

God I hope I can figure this out.  I REALLY don't want to put the second ethernet card in the Windoze box and let it run DHCP!