inconsistent discovery/access among computers on LAN

[Christopher Glaeser]

We have a LAN with six computers. The computers are running Windows 7 and
XP. The computers are attached to an unmanaged Dell switch and the switch
is attached to a WatchGuard VPN router. The comptures are all in the same
workgroup and the same subnet. Not trying to do anything particularly
sophisticated. Sometimes, one of the computers can see and access all of
the other computers on the LAN, but sometimes it can't see one of the other
computers. The problem is not limited to just one computer, and it seems to
be totally random. For a few hours, all computers can see all other
computers, and then for no apparent reason, one of the computers will not be
able to see one of the other computers.

As a temporary fix, I can add a mapped drive letter to access the other
computer, and that works fine, but the Network folder still does not show
the other computer.

How do you debug an apparently random problem like this? What are the
possible causes?

Best,
Christopher

 

[Roland Schweiger]

The network discovery function was always somehow random, be it Win2000,
WinXP, Vista or as you now describe it, also Win7.

However I have always overcome this (and maybe this helps you as well) by
pointing directly to the computers by the use of hardlinks - or shortcuts.

For example

\\my_machine\shared files\
or
\\machine3\shared\

You can easily create such shortcuts on the desktop or simly open the
windows explorer and type a name like the ones above.

Alternatively you might think of creating a network drive, so that drive
x: then represents \\my_machine\ and
y: represents \\machine3\

This kind of network access is at least in my experience, much more stabil
than obening the network discovery and waiting for results.

greetings

Roland Schweiger

 

[Christopher Glaeser]

The network discovery function was always somehow random, be it Win2000,

WinXP, Vista or as you now describe it, also Win7.

Thanks. I'll map the network drive letters. That seems to work fine.

Best,
Christopher