NTL cable DSL, regular disconnect

[angryratman]

Hello all.

For the past few months I (and my house mates) have been getting periodic disconnects from the internet. Sometimes it reconnects straight away, and other times I need to reset the router. It usually effects browsing, download, IRC but not always MSN.

I have a Netgear MR 814 v3 router, which is connected to a 4-port Dlink switch, connected to another 8-port Dlink switch(i live with 7 other people).

So: NTL cable modem -> router ->bridge-> to 4-port switch (3 cables going to rooms) ->bridge-> to 8-port switch (with 5 cables).

I guess the major problem here is a d/c when gaming, which does happen. I tend to find that resetting the router stops the problem for a few hours. But this is not always the case, since it can happen at any time. Also, it seems to come in 'waves' eg. i'll get 2/3 d/c then it will be ok for a few hours. (had 5 since 10:30am)

here is my IP config when its working, if its any help...:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\grannytarman>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : paraspc
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethe
rnet NIC #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-E0-4C-40-7E-00
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 15 February 2007 23:40:38
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 18 February 2007 23:40:38

C:\Documents and Settings\grannytarman>

I have heard from a friend that the empty ports on the router/switch can be timing out and causing the d/c however, my knowledge of routers and networks is very limited. errm, i think thats everything. The network was set up by a professional if the set up seems strange to anyone.

Thanks for your time and knowledge!
Andy.

[johnwill]

Empty ports are NOT your problem. I suggest you stop asking that friend for networking advice.

First stop would be to upgrade the router's firmware to the current version. I'd also make sure you reset it to factory defaults and reconfigure. These two steps will solve a lot of router issues.

[angryratman]

ok thanks for that.

Just one thing with the firmware, do i need to run that on every computer that uses this network? Or does this PC send the information to the router?

I have no idea whats going on

[angryratman]

Ignore that post please...

[johnwill]

Ignored.

[angryratman]

I've reset the router, and reset the firmware... still getting the D/C. Any ideas? new router?

[johnwill]

Have you tried a direct connection to the modem to see if it's the ISP that's disconnecting? If the modem is solid, you may simply need a new router. If new firmware and a factory reset didn't fix it, there isn't much else you can do to it.

[baker421]

Hi,

When you described your topology, you mentioned "bridges" twice. Do you have bridges?

What exactly are they and then make and model?

What are they for? Are they wireless bridges to extend range, or wired bridges or???

Is all of this in the same building?

You don't happen to have a cable or a node really close to a microwave or a fluorescent light fixture do you?

JB

[angryratman]

The bridges are wired. The network hardware is all in one place, with wires going off to each room. It is not near a microwave or fluorescent light (i understand and about interference and that jazz)

I can try with just the modem, but that would take some time to test properly. When 6 other people want to use the internet it wouldn't go down very well, ya know what i mean? :)

It's probably the router, netgear are a bit shite aren't they?

[Tony.b99]

Hi sorry I cant answer your question but I am changing companies my bill has been wrong nearly every month I would check your statements, I also had cable TV with them and the channels kept crashing, they are having big problems as a company I would change

Regards Tony

[baker421]

Originally Posted by angryratman

The bridges are wired. The network hardware is all in one place, with wires going off to each room. It is not near a microwave or fluorescent light (i understand and about interference and that jazz)

I can try with just the modem, but that would take some time to test properly. When 6 other people want to use the internet it wouldn't go down very well, ya know what i mean? :)

It's probably the router, netgear are a bit shite aren't they?

1. Please answer the question about the bridges? What is the make and model?

2. Also about whether this is all in one building?

Bridges don't make sense here and I can't figure this out at all...

Please answer questions when asked? Please don't presuppose that the question isn't important and that perhaps you already "know" that all is OK?

The way you described your setup, it won't work. Now, let's try to figure out what will work, OK?

Would you like some help?

Cheers,

JB

[angryratman]

When i say 'bridges' i just mean a cable that connects one part of the network to the other. I'm sorry if i have my terminology incorrect but the network has always worked the way it is setup.

Yes, the network is all in one building. I thought my first post gave the impression that the network was confined to one building.

There is no need to patronizing.

yeah tony, there is a big shake up in NTL at the moment, as virgin is taking over all of there services. I have been getting irregular speeds etc, but this d/c problem has been happening about 2 months, so it would suggest a hardware problem, not an ISP problem.

[angryratman]

The typical dying thread syndrome... I still need help here. I've tried everything listen above. "with limited" testing, the network did seem better when one pc was connected to the router. Am i getting IP conflicts?

tech support usually does die within 2 days

seems to be the case......

[hwm54112]

I have been getting irregular speeds etc, but this d/c problem has been happening about 2 months, so it would suggest a hardware problem, not an ISP problem.

Why?

Am i getting IP conflicts?

Generally, you'd get an error message. If there were an IP conflict, computers with the same IP could not connect, period. It wouldn't cause a d/c from the net

I can try with just the modem, but that would take some time to test properly.

If you want to fix a problem, you have to bite the bullet and troubleshoot it. You state your problem as disconnecting from the internet. The modem is your gateway device. Start with that as per johnwill's suggestion. If that connection is solid, then look at the router. If it's not, call your ISP and check your signals. Run some pings. If packet loss is greater than 10%, call your ISP and have them ping you to confirm it.

You have 8 people living there. How many TV's (how many splitters between where the cable originates and the modem)? If there's more than one, change the way the coax is wired and get rid of the extra splitters. What are the dbs of the splitters? Are they 5-1000 mhz splitters? Check any connections outside. Make sure they are tight. Splitters go bad as does coax cable

tech support usually does die within 2 days

seems to be the case......

Sometimes that depends on the OP, and his willingness to help solve his problems, not the folks helping.

[baker421]

Originally Posted by hwm54112

Sometimes that depends on the OP, and his willingness to help solve his problems, not the folks helping.

JB