I'm not sure what exactly this feature is called. But in Windows Server 2008, it has the Vista Public/Private/Domain locations. This makes sense for laptops, and none at all for servers.
My problem is that sometimes some network adapters decide they are now on a public network. This completely activates the firewall, even for the "domain" networks. So net effect is that I reboot some machines, and then they never come back on the network until we KVM in and tell it that the network is private.
What's the name of this feature? Is there a GP setting I can use to turn it off and make all networks be "domain"?
Edit: Thanks, that's that NLA is. I tried disabling the service on a non-domain machine, and it just flips everything public. On a domain machine, the Network List Service refuses to stop — I'll try group policy.
Best Answer
Just ran into this exact problem. Unidentified networks are by default set to type of "Public". This is awkward when you want Windows Firewall to be active on Public networks but not Private ones -- and your internal network is always "Unidentified".
What's an "Unidentified" network to Windows Server 2008?
You can however change the default -- so that so-called "Unidentified" networks will be defaulted to something other than Public:
Open Administrative Tools -> Local Security Policy.
Highlight the "Network List Manager Policies" item, then double click the "Unidentified Networks" on the right panel.
Set the "Location Type" to "Private" or "Public".
Worked for me!