[ale] ethernet switch issues

[Ned Williams]

Michael Curtis wrote:

> What kind of NICs are you using?  I had a similar problem with 3com 3c905's
> (the "a" series) not autosensing between 10 and 100 (I believe this was
> fixed in the "b" and up series), and had to use their diag software to force
> the thing to go to 100.  But then again we were first using 10MB hubs and
> switched to a 10/100 config.  In any case, we would get a link light and the
> led would say 100, but would fail to work until they were set.
>
> -Mike
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SAngell at nan.net <SAngell at nan.net>
> To: esoteric at denali.atlnet.com <esoteric at denali.atlnet.com>
> Cc: ale at ale.org <ale at ale.org>
> Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2001 12:33 PM
> Subject: Re: [ale] ethernet switch issues
>
> >
> >
> >I am sure this may seem overly obvious but have you tried a crossover cable
> >between the suspect NIC and another station that is working properly? I
> have
> >personally never seen "cheap" cables cause problems unless they were
> noticeably
> >defective or were used over distances close to max.
> >
> >I would first suggest using a crossover cable and trying simple pings to
> verify
> >that both NICs are functioning. Do not always assume that if the lights are
> on
> >that someone is home. NICS, especially cheaper ones, only see that there is
> >traffic on the lines. This could be ANY traffic.  I have used some Netgear
> >products in the past with no problems so I doubt that it is the switch
> causing
> >your problems. What were you using as a connection point before the switch?
> Or
> >is this your first attempt to network these stations?
> >
> >Hope this helps.
> >
> >Steve Angell,  MCSE, CCNA
> >MIS Operations Manager
> >TSYS Total Debt Management
> >Phone 770-409-5570
> >Fax      770-416-1752
> >
> >
> >|--------+---------------------------->
> >|        |          Wandered Inn      |
> >|        |          <esoteric at denali.a|
> >|        |          tlnet.com>        |
> >|        |                            |
> >|        |          06/13/01 12:10 PM |
> >|        |                            |
> >|--------+---------------------------->
> >  >--------------------------------------------------------|
> >  |                                                        |
> >  |       To:     ALE <ale at ale.org>                        |
> >  |       cc:     (bcc: Steve Angell/tdm)                  |
> >  |       Subject:     [ale] ethernet switch issues        |
> >  >--------------------------------------------------------|
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >I've replaced the sohoware switch with a netgear switch and I still
> >can't get this thing to work.  Netgear support told me it was my cables,
> >that 100baset can have problems with cheap cables.  I was using Belkin
> >cables, which I believe are pretty decent.  I've since made two very
> >short cat 5 cables and tried these, but still no luck.
> >
> >Anyone else had any such problems?  I'm now suspecting it's probably one
> >of the cards I'm using that is not functioning properly at 100baseT,
> >although both have leds indicating they are properly autosensing the
> >proper speed.
> >
> >I can't believe it's this difficult to get these things to work.
> >
> >--
> >Until later: Geoffrey         esoteric at denali.atlnet.com
> >
> >"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds.
> >The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit
> >to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his
> >intelligence." - Albert Einstein
> >--
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> body.
> >
> >
> >
> >--
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>
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What kind of collision rates do you have on your interfaces? A common issue with
100Mb switches is auto speed/duplex negotiation. Are you working at 10 or 100
megabit?Half or full duplex? A common problem can arrise with 100Mb/Full duplex
switches when the nic in the sever/pc is not auto sensing the proper duplex. Also
is your switch manageable?(does it support snmp polling?) I dont think the
netgears are, so your best bet is to watch your ifconfig on your pc/server. If
you are using belkin I doubt the cables are your problem. Force your nic to
10mb/half duplex and see if you still have problems, if you do, try another nic,
preferbly a 10mb only nic, if you still have problems I would start to look at
your switch.

Ned




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