Is router’s “connection light” a result of network traffic or just a wired connection

[GoodEnough]

If I plug a broken server into a router (server hard drive died, and now has a blank drive in it) but server powered on, will it show up as an ethernet connection on the router light up display part?

Or, does the router only display a live ethernet connection with a device that is actually running a working OS and is sending network traffic?

ie: Is the router’s “connection light” a result of
1) actual NETWORK TRAFFIC from a working device,
2) or just an closed wired ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT between 2 devices?

 

[Gryz]

Depends on the equipment. I don't think there is a standard.

But it isn't that hard to detect. If a connection light blinks in an irregular pattern, you can conclude that the light blinks when a packet is transmitted (or received). If it stays on constantly, it probably means that the electrical signals of the cable are correctly wired. But you won't know if traffic is flowing.

 

[GoodEnough]

I have a server with a fried hard drive.
When I power it up, I see the router does not show an ethernet connection (cable verfied as working)
Can't tell if the server/motherboard/network port is dead,
or if it's not showing the connection b/c it's not running an OS.

 

[Fardringle]

As Gryz said, it depends entirely on the hardware. Some will show an active connection simply by being turned on and plugged in. Others won't show a connection until the handshake process is complete and a link speed has been established.

If you want to test the NIC without an installed OS, try booting the computer from a Linux live CD and see if it can get online.

 

[sdifox]

Usually two lights, link and traffic.

 

[JeffMD]

yea usually 2 lights these days. Link is green if max speed or amber if it is slower (some NICs just use 10mbit connection when the motherboard is powered down), and a link light to show traffic (which knowing the internet, is constantly blinking weather the pc is on or off).

 

[GoodEnough]

When I connect the ethernet cable, I get no light whatsoever.
Even when the server and router are both powered on.

 

[JackMDS]

There is something called WOL which is the capacity to Wake through the Network a computer from remote.

In part that is why ATX PSU type are existing. I.e., they maintain parts like a WOL capable Ethernet NIC live to be ready for WOL even if the Computer is off (but plugged into a power source).

That said if nothing is seen when the Server is On (assuming that the Network cable is OK). It means that Computer (or and the NIC) are totally Dead and do not maintain waht is needed to keep the Network connection viable.

-----------------
WOL Wake On Lan

NIC - Network card.

 

[sdifox]

When I connect the ethernet cable, I get no light whatsoever.
Even when the server and router are both powered on.

Did you try a different port / cable/ nic?

 

[GoodEnough]

Yes, I tried the cable from my PC, and still no connection detected.
So it is not the cable. I also tried a different port on the router. No luck.

 

[JeffMD]

Yes, I tried the cable from my PC, and still no connection detected.
So it is not the cable. I also tried a different port on the router. No luck.

That.. confused me. what did you do again?

 

[GoodEnough]

I swapped out a known test good working ethernet cable and used it to connected the Acer server to the router.
Still no connection light.

I then tried connecting the Acer server to different ports on the router.
Still no connection light.

 

[sdifox]

Do you have multiple nic on your acer or another nice you can put in?

 

[JeffMD]

You seem to be asking questions for no good reason. You get no light whatsoever which means, referring to your original post, you would be getting no hand shaking nor would you even be getting an electrical connection. From this point you;

a) plug the computer into ANOTHER router that will at least give you a light status on if it is connecting at all,

b) plug ANOTHER computer into the current router to check the port on the router.

c) swap the cable with a known working one.

Now rule out the bad guy.

 

[GoodEnough]

Not sure I follow.
The router works fine and so does the cable.
How do I know? B/c I am running my desktop PC using that.

 

[sdifox]

Not sure I follow.
The router works fine and so does the cable.
How do I know? B/c I am running my desktop PC using that.

If port on router and the cable work, then it is pretty clear the fault lies in the server.