Why are clients located on different subnets unable to access the new server?

The scenario presented involves clients on different subnets attempting to access a new server and facing issues in doing so. The main reason for this problem is usually related to routing, which is fundamentally impacted by the default gateway settings.

When a server is configured on a different subnet than clients, it relies on its default gateway to send packets destined for addresses outside its subnet. If the default gateway is incorrectly configured on the server, it cannot communicate beyond its own subnet. This means that traffic from clients in different subnets will not be routed properly to reach the server, hence they are unable to access it.

In this situation, while options like problems with DHCP addresses, missing DNS entries, or WINS server responsiveness could contribute to network issues, they do not specifically address the fundamental routing challenge posed by being on different subnets. Incorrect default gateway settings directly affect the server's ability to route traffic to and from clients on different subnets, making this the most pertinent reason for the connection failure.