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.