RPC Server Unavailable in Group Policy Results Wizard

[DonL]

I support customers who run SBS 2003 domains, as well as customers who run
regular Windows 2003 domains. My issue only seems to occur for the SBS 2003
Premium customers. When I try to run the "Group Policy Results Wizard", I get
an error msg stating "Failed to connect to "computername" due to the error
listed below. Ensure that the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)
service is enabled on the target computer, and consult the Event Log of the
target computer for further details." It goes on to say "Details: The RPC
server is unavailable."

I get the same error when I try to run GPRW from the SBS 2003 server or from
a workstation. I've checked all the GPOs and other settings related to RPC,
DCOM & WMI. Everything appears as it should be.

I'm going crazy with this issue. I would greatly appreciate any assistance
offered.

[DonL]

I think I figured it out. My solution would pertain to those using SBS 2003
with ISA 2004.

The RPC port 135 is being blocked - by the Microsoft Firewall Client for ISA
2004. To unblock, do the following:

Go to ISA Server Management
Browse to "Firewall Policy"
Select "Edit System Piolicy"
Browse to "Active Directory" under "Authentication Services"
Unchek the box titled "Enforce strict RPC compliance"
Click OK
Apply the new settings


Is this another case of Microsoft protecting us from ourselves?

Post by DonL
I support customers who run SBS 2003 domains, as well as customers who run
regular Windows 2003 domains. My issue only seems to occur for the SBS 2003
Premium customers. When I try to run the "Group Policy Results Wizard", I get
an error msg stating "Failed to connect to "computername" due to the error
listed below. Ensure that the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)
service is enabled on the target computer, and consult the Event Log of the
target computer for further details." It goes on to say "Details: The RPC
server is unavailable."
I get the same error when I try to run GPRW from the SBS 2003 server or from
a workstation. I've checked all the GPOs and other settings related to RPC,
DCOM & WMI. Everything appears as it should be.
I'm going crazy with this issue. I would greatly appreciate any assistance
offered.