Hey networking Kitas, I have a puzzling problem with my home network

[G+_Robert Hafer]

Hey networking Kitas, I have a puzzling problem with my home network.

I have a router on the main floor with Ethernet run to an upstairs bedroom and to my study in the basement. When I plug an access point into the bedroom switch (Netgear GS205) it extends wifi range as expected. When I plug one into the study switch (Netgear JGS524E) the network crashes. The router and access points are Apple AirPort Extreme and Expresses.

Everything seems to be functional on its own. Any ideas what could cause this behavior?

[G+_Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ]

1. What does a "network crash" mean? (No DHCP? Internal ping ok, but no Internet? No link lights? Switch actually resets?)

 

2. Is it the same AP you're plugging into each switch? (Or same brand, different device?)

 

3. What do the lights on the switch do when you plug in?

[G+_Robert Hafer]

Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ ok crash was a little vague, when second Express is plugged the to the switch, wifi stops working ( an Echo Show near the router shows no signal), I loose connection to the internet (via a cable modem), the computer wired to the router connects to it and the router itself reports no internet connection. Evidently no DCHP because no communication between computers.

The upstairs AP stays plugged in through this, I haven't thought to try swapping them.

The lights on the switch appear to be flashing normally

[G+_Damien Wessling]

Hi Robert, I'd start by documenting the current state of your network including the devices. Start with your router because it's most likely handling the addressing via DHCP.

 

Note the settings of each device, check that address resolution is set to auto via DHCP. Once you've done this with all your devices, you'll have a pretty clear picture of whether you have an address clash due to one component may be set to a static address.

 

Another strategy is to pull everything off the LAN and roll it out from scratch again. Starting from the router, add one piece at a time, check the results, write it down in a notepad. Add the next component, check the results, write it down in a notepad. Keep going until you've reconnected all your devices.

 

It's a slow methodology but if you don't have a reliable reference point in which to start with, you could be constantly chasing your tail. You'll have a great map of your LAN and know where each component fits in. It only takes 1 tiny anomaly on the LAN to kill everything.

 

If you're still enduring conflict, lay your network diagram out showing the components, address ranges etc and post to the group. They say a picture is worth a thousand words!

 

Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress.

 

Damien. ?

[G+_Ben Reese]

Robert Hafer are either AP configured as a WiFi bridge? Sort sounds like you're creating a network death loop - also seen if two switches are connected using 2 ethernet cables.

 

STP usually fixes that, so you may see if you have that option.

[G+_Vazrik Marcarian]

Hi Robert;

The netgear JGS524E is mangable switch. It is possible in configration setting is not set correctly. Download utillity from netgear and look at settings.

netgear.com - JGS524E | Product | Support | NETGEAR

 

Another option to temporary replace JGS524E with another dumb switch ( non mangem) and see if you have same issues.

 

Vaz

[G+_Jared Twomey]

I had the same thought as Ben Reese. I would bet the AP is acting as a bridge and creating a loop on the network.

[G+_Scott Snodgrass]

+1 for network loop. Design a layout of network if possible and post it up.

[G+_Juscelino Acevedo]

Robert Hafer it sounds to me like there is some sort of loop, as Ben Reese has stated. However, I feel that it be may related to the two extenders having conflicting configurations (meaning matching configurations).

[G+_Robert Hafer]

Preliminary update; second AP unplugged from switch and set as wireless extender, everything working as expected. I had gone over the switches and the router and unplugged every Ethernet cable that I couldn't identify, so that's not this problem. The router and switches are on different floors with one cable each going between floors.

Is it possible the the managed switch was drawing data from the AP rather than sending to? The wifi signal from the router is weak in the study but not non-existent.