network nightmare -- internet dies out :(

[hyperphate]

Hi, have a major problem that frustrates me for a long time now.

I have six computers hooked up to two 5-port linksys hubs (joined together) and a Netgear RT311 router from which I share my DSL service. The computers are all running WIN98SE.

The problem is that after a certain time, usually a few hours, the internet access on my systems dies out, meaning it can't connect to any sites or to any program that uses internet , eg: AOL Instant messenger. This constantly happens, but it always returns to normal with a reboot. I've been beating myself up trying to figure it out why. It's especially important because these computers handle automated tasks that require internet access and cannot be babysat all the time.

I will describe the network aspects. On the computers, The TCP/IP property bound to the NIC card has the DNS and Gateway of 192.168.0.1, the IP address of the router, and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.

Computers:

Pentium-class System with Linksys LNE100TX Etherfast 10/100 NIC
Network Components: Client for MS Networks, AOL Adapter, Linksys NIC Adapter, NETBEUI -> Linksys NIC, TCP/IP -> AOL, TCP/IP - > Linksys NIC, File and printer sharing enabled.
IP: 192.168.0.5
(For whatever reason, this computer above is the only one that is still working, internet is up and running for 2 days and 8 hours!)

AMD-400mhz system with same NIC as above.
Network components: same as above.
IP: 192.168.0.7

Pentium-class system with NE2000 compatible NIC.
Network components: Same as above with NE2000 instead of Linksys.
IP: 192.168.0.6

Laptop with Linksys 10/100 & 56k card
Network components: Same basic components with Netware, MS Logon, dialup, and infrared.
IP: Obtain an IP automatically (I find that specifying it makes the system boot up faster)

Compaq system with Realtek RTL8109 PnP LAN Adapter. Same basic components, with dialup, IPX/SPX
IP: 192.168.0.4

and finally...
AMD-450 mhz - my main system
NEtworking components: same basic components, with the addition of Dial-Up Adapter and Netware.
IP: 192.168.0.8



I decided to try to leave some computers with very basic components this time around, it does not seem to make a difference at all either way.

Possibilities that have come to mind:

* Router isn?t working -> I upgraded firmware -> reapplied settings -> problem persists
* Router isn?t working -> tried Sygate v3 Internet connection sharing (dual nic computer) -> problem persists
* ISP problem -> tried Sygate v3 connection-sharing software w/ 56K dialup -> problem persists
* Problem with hubs -> Should I try a switch?

I've also tried formatting and reinstalling win98se on a few systems for good measure.

What is so frustrating about this problem is that everything was working fine until about a month ago and I have not changed any settings to cause such a problem and I need better ways to try to pinpoint it. If someone has some ideas on what I can do or try it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dirtboy]

Have you tried directly connecting your DSL to one of your computers during this time? If you have and it doesn't work, I would suspect you're having DSL problems. A switch won't help things unless you are absolutely sure the hub is bad.

 

[hyperphate]

Thanks, dirtboy. That will be my next step if this happens again..

Right now I have one computer that's been going strong for over 3 days, and another for 4 hours , so I want to wait and see what happens.

 

[ChicagoMaroon]

Are the hubs dropping ports or partitioning because of excessive packet collisions? Remember hubs broadcast packets all along the wire, so with all those systems passing packets along the same wire, the hub might be dropping ports.

I just picked up a Linksys 10/100 5-port switch for about $27 after price match (with Onvia), coupon ($20 off), and rebate ($10 off) from Staples. A switch may solve your problems, but even if it doesn't you'll have greatly improved internal network performance. And for $27 you can't go wrong. Look around the "Hot Deals" forum for that thread.

Good luck.

 

[crazydave]

One of my buddies has the Linksys Cable/DSL router/switch. He has Pacbell PPPoE and his connection used to get dropped when he was using it about once a day. I don't know if he still has that problem but it was giving him hard time--possibly because Linksys had just updated the firmware on the router to support PPPoE and it might have been buggy. So there's another possibility.... good luck figuring it out

 

[hyperphate]

I'm not sure..

What I am sure of is that:

1) There is one computer that's been working JUST FINE for more than three days now. And I don't see what makes this system so special (could it be the order of which I log on?)

2) I went over to my laptop this morning, and AOL instant messenger was open and workign just fine... However, any attempt at a web site would tell me I cannot connect. And if I were to close Instant Messenger and try to sign on again, it would not let me connect...
This leads me to believe that after a while, no NEW connections can be opened. Weird huh?

 

[Wik]

One this happens try pinging web sites from the Netgear router. I think it is menu 11,4,1. Also try pushing the little pin hole resets on the hubs if they have them. Linksys used to have these a year or so ago and I remember having 2 hubs do this to me and the resets would make them work again.