I need some help with IP, DNS and DHCP setting sin my new WES2012R2 home network. If this is not the right place for these types of question please point me in the right direction.

My goal is to make sure that I have the right settings between my BT Home Hub, Router, WES2012R2 server and Windows 10 Client. The settings below don't come from any 'specific knowledge' on my part only from what I have taken from books and numerous posting I have found on web. I have having problems connecting my Windows 10 PC to the domain and I would really like to rule out some incorrect IP, DNS, DHCP or other network related acronym first.

BT Home Hub 5: 
Purpose
- Provide Wireless Internet Access for Phones, tablets etc...
- Provide Wired Internet Access for WES2012 server and Windows 10 PC
Settings 
- Dynamic DNS Disabled 
- Hub IP Gateway Address - 192.168.1.254, 255.255.255.0
- DHCP Server Enabled -  192.168.1.64 - 192.168.1.253 (Default)
- Firewall option has the current setting (Allow all outgoing connections and block all unsolicited incoming traffic. Games and application sharing is allowed)

Wired Router (Linksys BEFSR81): Wired to BT Home HUb via basic ports, e.g. not WAN or 'Uplink' ports
Purpose
- Provide Wired connections for the WES2012R2 server and Windows 10 PC
Settings
- LAN IP Address - 192.168.1.1, 255.255.255.0
- WAN IP Address - Obtain an IP Address Automatically
- PPPoE - Enabled with User Name and password as that of the BT Home Hub
- DHCP Server - Disabled

WES2012R2 Server: Wired to Router via basic port
Purpose
- Provide home network/domain for Windows 10 PC and 1 or 2 other PCs in future for files sharing, backups etc..
Settings
- IPv4 Address - 192.168.1.2, 255.255.255.0
- Default Gateway Address - 192.168.1.254 (bt home hub)
- DNS server - 192.168.1.254 (bt home hub)

Windows 10 Pro: Wired to Router via basic port
Settings
- IPv4 - Both option to Obtain Automatically

The primary reason I believe these setting might be incorrect is that I can't get my W10 client to connect to WES2012 either via Connector or Manual setting. Another reason is  that I really don't know enough about this stuff to be sure I have made right decision.

Thanks!

Hi,

You have mentioned Connector, so I want to confirm with you that if it is Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials, or Windows Server 2012 R2 with Essentials Experience Role installed? Or Windows Server 2012 R2?

For Essentials network, Internet connection is needed. There is no DNS configuration on the BT Home Hub 5. You may obtain DNS(related parameters)from your ISP, or manually configure a public DNS, such as 8.8.8.8 or anything others available. 

Besides, some suggestions for you about TCP/IP configuration on server/client.

For WS 2012 R2, it is recommend you to configure its own IP address as Preferred DNS server. As below:
- IPv4 Address - 192.168.1.2, 255.255.255.0
- Default Gateway Address - 192.168.1.254
- DNS server - 192.168.1.2

At the same time, configure the DC to transfer external name queries to the DNS server( ISP provided or any available public DNS server that is configured on BT Home Hub): 
Open DNS console and right click your DNS server, select Properties Forwarders, then enter the IP address. 

For client, manually configure DC as its Preferred DNS server:
- DNS server - 192.168.1.2

If the Problem persists, more network related questions about Windows Server 2012 R2 you may post on below forum:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/home?forum=winserverPN

If it is a Essentials server, please provide more information, such as error message when connecting Windows 10 to Essentials. Or related Event.

Best Regards,
Eve Wang

Hi Eve,

Thanks for the detailed response.

For client, manually configure DC as its Preferred DNS server:
- DNS server - 192.168.1.2

This was the change which got things working for me so will flag this as 'answer' . Thanks!

I seem to remember that when I had this setting...

For WS 2012 R2, it is recommend you to configure its own IP address as Preferred DNS server. As below:
- IPv4 Address - 192.168.1.2, 255.255.255.0
- Default Gateway Address - 192.168.1.254
- DNS server - 192.168.1.2

.. I lost internet connectivity, but it could have been other factors so will give it a try

Thanks Again

Steve

Hi,

You may use Forwarders or Root Hints to connect to Internet. Detailed configuration steps you may reference link below(it is also applied to other OS version):
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/323380

Best Regards,
Eve Wang