Linksys Media Extender DMA2100 wired connection problem

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tr3v

234 posts

Master Geek

#28669 8-Dec-2008 11:17

I have a Linksys Media Extender DMA2100 connected to a Windows Vista Media Center (Server). If I connect the Extender wirelessly, via an 802.11N Access Point I get a reliable connection but if I try using a cabled connection, I can never reliably reconnect. I cannot fathom why this would be the case, and am now suspecting that I have a faulty unit. I want to use a cabled connection as it should provide a more reliable connection.

The Wifi Access point is on the same subnet as my server and extender. I have tried moving the connections so that they are on the same switch, and manually set my server NIC speed to 100Mbps/Full Duplex (I have a 1000/100/10Mb switch and read somewhere that this was a potential problem with the Extender/Server). It does not seem to matter where my Extender/Server are located physically on my network.

I have tried changing ports, cables and switches. I have reconfigured my server from scratch (new OS build - Vista Ultimate). The Extender gets its DHCP settings (from another server), and can see the Internet OK (downloaded the new firmware). The only reliability issue I have is with the connection to the Media Center Server. I have turned the Vista firewall off too, although I can't see this being an issue as the network traffic is all coming in to the same NIC on the Vista box. As far as I know, there are no other network issues anywhere else.

Faulty unit? Or is there some other potential issue specific to the cabled connection that is not being handled properly. Any suggestions appreciated, before I send it back to the manufacturer. Thanks.

richms

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#182754 8-Dec-2008 15:15

Even when set to 100 meg, the nic may still be sending jumbo frames out which the extender cannot cope with.

CHeck the config of the card for frame size and turn it down and see if it helps.

Richard rich.ms

gehenna

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#182755 8-Dec-2008 15:17

have you had the nic auto negotiate the speed? i find sometimes setting the speed on a nic in a device can seriously dog its performance.

have you updated the firmware as well? i've got the same unit and have no problems with wired or wireless, so last ditch it could be a faulty unit itself.

tr3v

234 posts

Master Geek

#182758 8-Dec-2008 15:25

richms: Even when set to 100 meg, the nic may still be sending jumbo frames out which the extender cannot cope with.

CHeck the config of the card for frame size and turn it down and see if it helps.

Thanks for your reply. The Extender works in wireless mode, connected to an Access Point that is connected to the wired server. Why would the server respond differently? All I am wanting to do is, in essence, bypass the Access Point with a cable. The server is always connected to the LAN in the same way. I tried putting both the Extender and the Server on to the same 10/100 switch. One new thought is to turn the WiFi Access point off in case it is trying to be clever and has connection information buffered or something...

richms

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#182760 8-Dec-2008 15:29

It should have a different mac address on the 2 interfaces, but it there is some bridge trickery in the extender that makes the AP see the same mac address on wired and wireless then that could cause problems, If its like the crap power line network gear I got it can take ages to time out so is worth a shot power cycling all your lan gear just incase its sitting in some table somewhere.

Richard rich.ms

tr3v

234 posts

Master Geek

#182764 8-Dec-2008 15:39

gehenna: have you had the nic auto negotiate the speed? i find sometimes setting the speed on a nic in a device can seriously dog its performance.

have you updated the firmware as well? i've got the same unit and have no problems with wired or wireless, so last ditch it could be a faulty unit itself.

Thanks gehenna, It was originally set to Auto, and seem I have had no change (for better) or worse I will revert back to Auto. I have updated the firmware, and have even done a factory reset to make sure (it then went and downloaded the new firmware as expected). I am sure this unit has worked in wired mode before without any trouble. I have run the cable I needed to have it wired but I have eliminated that as a cause as I have tried other points (and cable) in the house. And besides, it seems to perform general network duties in wired mode (DHCP settings, and internet access). I have reserved an IP address so it uses the same one all the time (I read somewhere that the Media Center and/or Extender don't like the IP address changing).

The only other change I have made is to use an HDMI connection to my monitor. I can't see how that would make any difference, but I am willing to try anything now.

PS. I hope you got your NIN pre-sale tickets?

tr3v

234 posts

Master Geek

#182769 8-Dec-2008 15:45

richms: It should have a different mac address on the 2 interfaces, but it there is some bridge trickery in the extender that makes the AP see the same mac address on wired and wireless then that could cause problems, If its like the crap power line network gear I got it can take ages to time out so is worth a shot power cycling all your lan gear just incase its sitting in some table somewhere.

Ah, thanks!! That makes sense. I will give it a go as soon as I get home.

gehenna

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#182776 8-Dec-2008 15:58

tr3v:
The only other change I have made is to use an HDMI connection to my monitor. I can't see how that would make any difference, but I am willing to try anything now.

PS. I hope you got your NIN pre-sale tickets?

Ohhh I remember now. I had mine connected via HDMI to my Toshiba TV when I first installed it and the playback was abysmal. There was jerky video and poppy audio. I tried it just using the component cables and it has been perfect ever since. I completely forgot about that, I was going to contact Linksys about it but never remembered! Thanks for reminding me :D Give a component cable a go on it's own if you can - if your symptoms are similar that is. I thought I had poor network performance until changing video cables you see. but if you can't connect to the Media Center at all then it may be different.

And yep, got my tix :D

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tr3v

234 posts

Master Geek

#182799 8-Dec-2008 17:32

tr3v:
richms: It should have a different mac address on the 2 interfaces, but it there is some bridge trickery in the extender that makes the AP see the same mac address on wired and wireless then that could cause problems, If its like the crap power line network gear I got it can take ages to time out so is worth a shot power cycling all your lan gear just incase its sitting in some table somewhere.

Ah, thanks!! That makes sense. I will give it a go as soon as I get home.

Yay! I disabled the Access Point (Linksys WAP4400N) and started my Media Extender in wired mode, and it works perfectly. I tried restarting both the Extender and Access Point and the Extender continued to work flawlessly. On the other hand, the AP did not allow any reconnections from other WiFi clients. I then checked for firmware updates on the AP, and there were about 3 updates.

Everything is working now although I am not brave enough to retry my Extender in wireless mode!

tr3v

234 posts

Master Geek

#182802 8-Dec-2008 17:39

gehenna:
Ohhh I remember now. I had mine connected via HDMI to my Toshiba TV when I first installed it and the playback was abysmal. There was jerky video and poppy audio. I tried it just using the component cables and it has been perfect ever since. I completely forgot about that, I was going to contact Linksys about it but never remembered! Thanks for reminding me :D Give a component cable a go on it's own if you can - if your symptoms are similar that is. I thought I had poor network performance until changing video cables you see. but if you can't connect to the Media Center at all then it may be different.

I couldn't find any other appropriate cable, so can't test this. One thing I did notice though is that if I set Video on the Extender to PAL, I only get an "Auto" option for resolution. I have set mine to "NTSC" and I can then manually set the resolution to 1080p. This doesn't make any difference to viewing TV, but gives a clearer menu, and photos etc.

My video/audio seem fine using HDMI.