“Fix My Network” Wizard in SBS 2008

In the previous version of SBS, the Configure E-Mail and Internet Connection Wizard (CEICW) could be run again and again and again ... and again.  If you had an issue with networking, you’d run the wizard as many times as you wanted to reset to the known SBS defaults.  With 2008, we provided a wizard for exactly this case, called “Fix My Network” wizard.

The wizard is designed to detect known problems on your network, and then give you the option to fix them or not.  There are roughly 70-80 different checks and fixes that it does.  Some important things to note:

1. The fixes may have dependencies.  For example, if the wizard detects that the DHCP services are stopped, it will report that, but won’t be able to check the configuration inside the DHCP service, because it’s stopped.  So, it’s important to run this wizard a few times, until you’re happy with the issues it’s finding/not finding.
2. If you replace your router on your network, or change your router IP address, you should consider running the Connect to the Internet Wizard first.
3. The wizard is designed to bring the network back to a “known good” working state.  So any custom configuration will be un-done.

Now that you know how to use the wizard, what exactly are the things we keep an eye on?  Well, to know exactly, you will have had to work on the wizard, but here is the high level.

1. Network Cards
1. Disabled Network Cards
2. Additional Network Cards
3. Duplicate IP, Missing IP, Extra IP addresses
4. Incorrect DNS, Gateway and subnet settings
5. NIC unplugged from the network
2. DHCP Configuration
1. DHCP Enabled and running
2. DHCP scope settings
3. DHCP IPv4 and IPv6 settings
3. Local DNS Configuration
1. Missing Zones
2. Invalid Names and domains
3. Missing records
4. Reverse Zones invalid or missing
4. Internet DNS (if with a domain name partner)
1. Missing Records
2. Missing or incorrect credentials
3. Domain configured and in good standing with provider
4. Dynamic DNS client is configured correctly (if running)
5. SSL Certificate Configuration
1. Invalid Root and Leaf Certificates
2. Invalid Certificate installation package
3. Certificate installed on IIS
4. Self-Issued certificates expiring or invalid
5. Certificate authority is installed and running
6. Trusted Certificate installed and valid
6. Router Configuration
1. Gateway can be reached
2. Internet can be reached
3. UPnP (if available) port mappings
7. VPN (if enabled)
1. Firewall configuration
2. RRAS service enabled and running
3. VPN default Policy is in place
8. E-Mail Configuration
1. SMTP connectors configured correctly
9. IIS Configuration
1. IIS is enabled and running
2. Host headers are configured correctly

A Common Question

Question: Does SBS support NIC Teaming?

Answer: The core OS supports it, but not the SBS wizards, it’s recommended you configure your network with a single network card, and then set up the team afterwards.  Microsoft Support mentions they may ask you to disable the team for any troubleshooting.