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"The Server Is Not Operational" Error Message in Active Directory Tools
ID: Q223321
 
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The information in this article applies to:
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Microsoft Windows  2000 Advanced Server
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Microsoft Windows  2000 Datacenter Server
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Microsoft Windows  2000 Professional
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Microsoft Windows  2000 Server
SYMPTOMS
When you are using the Active Directory administration tools, you may receive the following error message:
The server is not operational
This message may be displayed when you open a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in, or while you are using a snap-in after a domain controller has been located.
CAUSE
This error message may be caused by any of the following situations:
- The network configuration of the client is incorrect. This includes the absence of addresses or incorrect addresses for DNS servers to locate and resolve domain controllers.
- The configuration of the Winsock Proxy client is incorrect, preventing the correct resolution of available domain controllers and their addresses.
- Network connectivity between the client and the domain controllers discovered by querying DNS is not available.
- Communication over the network to the domain controller is functioning properly, but an invalid response was returned to the client.
- The domain controller used as the data source while the MMC snap-in is open has become unavailable.
STATUS
This behavior is by design.
Additional query words: 
Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg kbnetwork 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb