An IP address of 0.0.0.0 is assigned to a network adapter on a Windows Server 2003-based computer that uses two network adapters and that uses an iSCSI boot configuration

Consider the following scenario.

• You have a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer that uses two or more network adapters.
• This computer uses an iSCSI boot configuration.
• These network adapters are configured to use DHCP to obtain TCP/IP parameters.
• One of the network adapters has no network cable connected to it.

In this scenario, when you start this computer, an IP address of 0.0.0.0 may be assigned to the network adapter that has no network cable connected to it.

This behavior occurs because the iSCSI boot agent cannot obtain DHCP parameters for the network adapter that has no network cable connected to it. Therefore, the iSCSI boot agent cannot pass valid TCP/IP parameters for the network adapter that has no network cable connected to it. The iSCSI boot agent passes a value of zero. Then, the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator configures an IP address of 0.0.0.0 for this interface.

To avoid this behavior, verify that a network cable is connected to each network adapter when you start the computer.