IP Address Resolves?

If the IP address quickly resolves to the correct Microsoft Exchange Server name, continue with Host Name Resolution Troubleshooting below:

Host Name Resolution Troubleshooting - Ping Microsoft Exchange Server Name

At this point, the computer running Microsoft Exchange Server is available for connection via IP address. The next step is to verify host name resolution. At an MS-DOS prompt, ping the Microsoft Exchange Server name.

Ping Server Name Fails?

Run ipconfig /all (or winipcfg on Windows 95) and check what address is set in the Domain Name Server (DNS) entry field. DNS can be set for all TCP clients by means of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) or by using the TCP Configuration in Control Panel for the individual computers. Continue with DNS Configuration Troubleshooting below.

DNS Configuration Troubleshooting - Ping DNS IP Address

If ipconfig displays an IP address in the DNS Servers field, then the client machine is configured to resolve Host Names via DNS. The next step in trouble shooting is to verify the DNS Server is available. At an MS-DOS prompt, ping the DNS IP Address. If the DNS does not respond to the request, additional attempts are made at 5, 10, 15, 20, 5, 10, 15, and 20- second intervals. This is the design of DNS and is usually the root cause of slow client startup.