Annoying LAN problem...

[Chuci]

Well lets see...
For some strange and obscure reason, sometimes my LAN will just drop out and the boxes connected to the LAN will only be able to send and not receive. I've got 4 computers hooked up to a switch of some brand I can't remember now. All use Windows XP. To fix this problem, the computer hooked to the internet must "reset" the network (disable/enable local area connection) for it to function properly. The reset is pretty random, it happens maybe once every 2 to 3 days. Now thats the problem. What i want to know is:
What are the possible variables that could be the cause of this problem?
- CAT5 cables?
- el cheapo network cards?
- crap switch?
- unsupported buggy drivers?
And also if possible would anyone know how to write a script file for the other computers to automatically "reset" the network from their end? It would be pretty hard as the network would be disabled therefore how could you enable it remotely right?

So if anyone could shed any light to this annoying problemo, I will grant them a Greater Wish plus a couple unborn children souls into the deal as well

Tankho!

 

[ScottMac]

Check the NIC properties. Some drivers have a setting for "allow the PC to put the NIC to sleep" to save energy. Many drivers default to "sleep mode."

Check for drriver updates too, current is *usually* better.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[DrSpock]

Are you using DHCP or are you specifying IP addresses? If all 4 computers are set to obtain IP address automatically, then it is an ip problem. If you setup the main computer (the one connected to the internet) as a dhcp server, then leave the rest to obtain ip addy automatically, then that will give each computer a ip address.

You might just have to experiment with different things: getting a new switch, new NICs, etc. Its great when you know somebody who has all these things and would be willing to swap with you 🙂

 

[Garion]

Also, try to hard-set the speed and duplex of the PC's on the network. You might be having an autosensing problem and generating bad packets that are causing the NIC to shut down.

- G

 

[Chuci]

Well, I don't really have many friends who have a four port switch or router and since I'm a bit low on cash, I'm not really willing to fork out some dough for a new switch if its not that problem.

Could the problem I have be due to poor wiring? We did crimp some of our own CAT5 cables so could that give the send/no receive one way error that I am getting?

I have tried that power management setting, hopefully that is all the problem is 🙂
And driver updates for these cards are quite hard to get, the usual $20 el cheapo network cards that don't really have much driver support.
I tried both using a DHCP and set IP addresses for the network. The problem with DHCP was that when the network was down with the problem and the other computer booted up, they did not see the DHCP server and therefore used a random IP adddress range.

I have also tried manually setting the speed and duplex of the NIC's, hopefully it should work it out.
Thankyou all who have helped in any way to solve this annoying problem!

🙂

 

[spidey07]

thou shalt purchase patch cables
thou shalt NOT attempt to make them nor shalt thou construct cabling without a certfied cable tester
thou shalt reap the benefits of trouble free networking

thou shalt not count to 4, nor shalt thou count to five, but thou shalt count the magical number 3. thou shalt pull the pin and toss at thine enemy with great force
😉😛

 

[Garion]

Sounds like one of those all-too-common "Layer 8 breaking Layer 1" issues..

- G

 

[Chuci]

<< Sounds like one of those all-too-common "Layer 8 breaking Layer 1" issues..

- G >>



My feeble wit mind can't possibly comprehend what that is... please dear sir, enlighten me on the path to true networking bliss 🙂
as in, whats Layer 8 breaking Layer 1?????