SOLVED Server 2016 device stays offline

[lorencarter]

All,

Out of the hundreds of Windows servers I manage using System Center (versions 2008, 2012, and 2016, both 32 and 64 bit) for the deployment of OS updates after patch Tuesdays, I have one Windows 2016 64 bit server that just will not turn on line. My firewall folks report no packet drops between the server and my MP, I've looked at both servers for a clue and/or a reason. I can remove the client, reinstall it, and it appear in my v1710 Configuration Manager as "Active" in Client Activity, with the corect Site Code, but it never flips OnLine (with the green check mark). The option to "Approve" it, is grayed out. My credentials are Full Administrator to the environment here.

Is there a specific log, on either the client or the MP, I can examine for my missing clue?

thanks,
Loren
MontgomeryCollege

 

[Edy]

start with LocationServices.log to see if the client can actually determin which boundary it falls in and set the right MP.

 

[lorencarter]

All,

OK, found the cause. Some fingers or process changed the status of my Windows Firewall service to be "Disabled".

I have learned from other investigations that the service needs to be running. The individual firewalls can be turned OFF, but the Service needs to be running. If it is not running, some internal processes and DLLs are not available to other OS functions that might need them. I guesss when the service is disabled, it takes its' baseball and goes home, so there's no other playing allowed on that field.

As soon as I turned the service back on, within 30 minutes, the server was back on line. Good way to start the weekend.

 

[Prajwal Desai]

All,

OK, found the cause. Some fingers or process changed the status of my Windows Firewall service to be "Disabled".

I have learned from other investigations that the service needs to be running. The individual firewalls can be turned OFF, but the Service needs to be running. If it is not running, some internal processes and DLLs are not available to other OS functions that might need them. I guesss when the service is disabled, it takes its' baseball and goes home, so there's no other playing allowed on that field.

As soon as I turned the service back on, within 30 minutes, the server was back on line. Good way to start the weekend.

That is very much true. Firewall can be disabled but one should never mess with firewall service.