Cannot get DHCP address from Cisco switch when setting up Windows 7 Pro on company wired network.
The switch thathas the differentDHCP pools for our computers is 2 hops away. If I put a small dhcp pool on a switch directly connected, using a not used vlan, I can get an ip address & total access to all network apps, files, printers, etc. Change the switch port I'm connected to, back to the vlan I'm supposed to use & get my address from the switch 2 hops away, & it fails. Can anyone help me?
November 10th, 2009 9:58pm

Does the issue occur on other computers? Does your computer successfully connect to the DHCP server? If the DHCP server should not be the switch that the computer directly connects, please manually assign the correct DHCP server, or disable DHCP on the switch. You may enter ipconfig/all and check related settings in the result. Meantime, you may check if the vlan settings are correct. Creating Ethernet VLANs on Catalyst Switches - Cisco Systems Important Note: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.Arthur Xie - MSFT
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November 12th, 2009 11:06am

Thank you for your response Arthur. At this point we only have two Windows 7 PCs (one is mine) &all the rest are WinXP (about 1,100 PCs & laptops). Both of the Win 7 laptops have a problem connecting to the 6509 (two hops away). Most of the DHCP pools reside on the Cisco 6509 that is two hops away. All of the other computers connect just fine. I normally use a static ip address because of equipment I need to connect to. Using that ip address, (that I have been using forever & still works on my old laptop), my new Win7laptop fails to connect. Can't ping the 6509, get to network resources or the internet. If I reassignmy laptopto adirectly connected Cisco switch, the NIC connects & I can ping the 6509, get to network resources & the internet. Hopefully you can help me get this resolved.Thanks,Hermonione
November 12th, 2009 7:22pm

What does a directly connected Cisco switch mean? Where does the switch directly connect? There may be some authentication issues for the Windows 7 laptops. The network adapter drivers may be not compatible. I suggest you install Windows 7 compatible drivers. Please try to find the drivers from computer manufacturers website.Arthur Xie - MSFT
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November 19th, 2009 9:13am

Hello Arthur,Thanks for the response. A "directly connected Cisco switch" means my new Dell laptop connects to the wall network jack which connects via cat 6 to a punch down cabinet & thenthe Cisco switch (say switch 1) that has the small DHCP pool on it. From there, that switch(switch 1)connects to a Cisco "distribution" switch that connects via fiber to another building where the 6509 switch resides & we are supposed to get our dhcp addresses for complete network availability. Actually I guess that is 3 hops away instead of 2. I have checked the Dell site for new nic drivers but since my laptop is brand new, there does not appear to be anything newer yet.Thanks again,Hermonione
November 19th, 2009 5:54pm

The Cisco 6509 switch has some features that may block the DHCP broadcast packs. You need to make sure that DHCP is disabled. Another possible cause is the inside firewall. Please temporary disable it and check the result.Arthur Xie - MSFT
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November 25th, 2009 8:22am

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