Questions around setting up wireless network

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silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

#74633 4-Jan-2011 12:42

I have two computers AMD Athlon desktop dual booting WinXP and Pclinuxos 2010 kde, and a compaq Presario F500 Pclinuxos 2010 kde.

Currently they are on a wired ethernet network, D-Link DSL - 526B modem with an ethernet 8 point switch. The modem was supplied by vodafone when I switched to them a couple of months ago.

Prior to that I used a Dynalink RTA 1320 modem with Orcon.

Since I switched modems/ISP I've had problems with the network dropping the connection to my laptop quite frequently, even when the desktop isn't running.

I'm keen to set up wireless for the laptop, it has a broadcom card, and am wondering at my options. I assume I can leave the desktop on the wired network and have wireless for laptop only, or have both computers wired. I'd appreciate advcie on the best way to do this - thanks.

I've been reading posts about recommendations for modem/routers and guess I'd like advice on that too for my set up.

Thanks again.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

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2036 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#424287 5-Jan-2011 14:44

Well the laptop should not be dropping ethernet unless the RJ45 socket is damaged (on either the switch or laptop), or maybe the cable is damaged. Make sure u secure the wireless when you setup the new wifi router, but it would be good to find what happened to the ethernet.

Time to find a new industry!

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

#424388 5-Jan-2011 19:31

Actually the connection to the desktop drops as well. A new problem since switching ISP - I've wondered about the modem but haven't gotten around to trying the old one.

Yes I'll make sure it's secure. I'm assuming that's firstly by using the key that comes with the modem, and then presumably there's additional software if one wishes?

Thanks

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

webwat

2036 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#424596 6-Jan-2011 11:47

You set the security on the wireless settings to WPA and enter a pre-shared key - essentially a password. You then enter the password into the laptop when it asks as you try to connect.

If your computers actually say "a network cable is unplugged" on the network symbol at the bottom, then the switch could have problems eg worn out or using wrong voltage power supply. If internet goes down but computer seems connected or just gives a message about gateway, then try setup the old modem with the new ISP. Have you tried plugging a computer directly to the modem without the switch? Then you can find whether the connection problems are caused by the switch.

I also need to ask whether you have the DSL light on the router going off when the problems happen. If so then you are focussing on testing DSL with all phones, filters, and any faxes or Sky etc unplugged (nothing but the DSL). If you have a monitored alarm or dodgy phone wiring then you need a master splitter installed with a new DSL-only jackpoint.

Time to find a new industry!

richms

28171 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#424607 6-Jan-2011 12:04

Have seen issues with the network "dropping" when cheap routers decided that they wanted to stop doing DHCP for a while despite other services working.

What is the exact messages you get from the computer when the network is not working?

Have you tried another switch? They are not immune from the crappy capacitor issues, and since they are basically no-tech items, there are some real old ones in use still, may just be too old and having problems.

Richard rich.ms

allan

2043 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#424610 6-Jan-2011 12:09

silverbirch:
I've been reading posts about recommendations for modem/routers and guess I'd like advice on that too for my set up.

Don't under any circumstances think about getting a Linksys WAG160N for a stable wireless connection. A quick web search will show you the problems countless users have had with this device, myuself included - as you may have inferred.

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

#424695 6-Jan-2011 16:25

allan:
silverbirch:
I've been reading posts about recommendations for modem/routers and guess I'd like advice on that too for my set up.

Don't under any circumstances think about getting a Linksys WAG160N for a stable wireless connection. A quick web search will show you the problems countless users have had with this device, myuself included - as you may have inferred.

This sounds quite good as has option of wired and wirelss: http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=384106, and feedback from a guy in local LUG was positive. And yes had read about issues with that Linksys, but thanks for highlighting it as the Pclinuxos forums recommend Linksys modems/routers.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

#424697 6-Jan-2011 16:32

webwat: You set the security on the wireless settings to WPA and enter a pre-shared key - essentially a password. You then enter the password into the laptop when it asks as you try to connect.

If your computers actually say "a network cable is unplugged" on the network symbol at the bottom, then the switch could have problems eg worn out or using wrong voltage power supply. If internet goes down but computer seems connected or just gives a message about gateway, then try setup the old modem with the new ISP. Have you tried plugging a computer directly to the modem without the switch? Then you can find whether the connection problems are caused by the switch.

I also need to ask whether you have the DSL light on the router going off when the problems happen. If so then you are focussing on testing DSL with all phones, filters, and any faxes or Sky etc unplugged (nothing but the DSL). If you have a monitored alarm or dodgy phone wiring then you need a master splitter installed with a new DSL-only jackpoint.

Thanks for the information.

No the computer says network down (Linux) and when I try to reconnect it is with varying success. Sometimes I have reconfigured the network and it still stays down, with the message that there's problems with connectivity. I think the DSL light was showing when network down but will check next time.

No - haven't tried the computer directly connected to modem - it did occur to me, but since all the problems came with the change of ISP (and change of modem) I've tended to assume it's caused by one of those things.

I have a monitored alarm, and a master splitter was installed five years ago when I went onto broadband. At that time they told me I didn't need other filters on my phones, but should I try that? There's a filter thing on the line that DSL modem is attached to.I'll try the unplugging thing next and report back.

Thanks

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

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silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

#424700 6-Jan-2011 16:35

richms: Have seen issues with the network "dropping" when cheap routers decided that they wanted to stop doing DHCP for a while despite other services working.

What is the exact messages you get from the computer when the network is not working?

Have you tried another switch? They are not immune from the crappy capacitor issues, and since they are basically no-tech items, there are some real old ones in use still, may just be too old and having problems.

The switch is quite old I suppose - bought it off TradeMe five years ago. But issues with connection dropping only started with change of ISP and modem. If I get the TPLink modem I won't need the switch which is one less electrical thing in the house.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

thorax

75 posts

Master Geek

#424704 6-Jan-2011 16:45

I was in the same boat a while back, so I got a TL-WR1043ND and plugged my modem into the uplink port.

I got this as it was a cheapest wireless / gigabit solution, need gigabit to move all those Linux iso's :D

http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=529115

4 port gigabit, usb port for HDD (smb share) or printer server with a 3rd party firmware flashed.

Pretty happy with it , runs solid and never requires reboot/reset.
Also you can upgrade firmware to openwrt, DD-wrt, but I havent cos it does pretty much what it is told.

edit: also threw away my cheapo $10 switch, much better to route packets than to spam them.

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

#424710 6-Jan-2011 17:03

Network went down - usual message "Network down on wired interface (Ethernet) (etho).

unplugged phones etc, no difference. DSL light was on throughout. As usual network came up of it's own accord again - after a few minutes. The time it takes varies, usually just a few minutes, sometimes half an hour or so, mostly while I'm sitting here.

There's no modem on that device though - I might as well get the TPLink three in one.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

thorax

75 posts

Master Geek

#424714 6-Jan-2011 17:09

Have you ruled out the possibility of DNS server problems from your isp?

I ran with google public 8.8.8.8 for a while as Telecom dns were giving me problems,

The DSL sync lights on the modem indicating no problem, but connection down.

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

#424715 6-Jan-2011 17:12

thorax: Have you ruled out the possibility of DNS server problems from your isp?

I ran with google public 8.8.8.8 for a while as Telecom dns were giving me problems,

The DSL sync lights on the modem indicating no problem, but connection down.

What is google public 8.8.8.8?

Thanks

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

thorax

75 posts

Master Geek

#424745 6-Jan-2011 18:39

Sorry that was the Google public domain name server (DNS) , with ip address 8.8.8.8.

Google have another one at ip address 8.8.4.4, really easy to remember when your ISP's DNS server goes down and you have no resolution.

Usually your modem gets the DNS address from your ISP and your computers get the DNS ip from your modem, you can manually specify DNS settings on your computer or on your router.

Not saying that this is your specific problem with your disconnects, but may be something to check/isolate.

http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using.html

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

#424755 6-Jan-2011 19:11

thorax: Sorry that was the Google public domain name server (DNS) , with ip address 8.8.8.8.

Google have another one at ip address 8.8.4.4, really easy to remember when your ISP's DNS server goes down and you have no resolution.

Usually your modem gets the DNS address from your ISP and your computers get the DNS ip from your modem, you can manually specify DNS settings on your computer or on your router.

Not saying that this is your specific problem with your disconnects, but may be something to check/isolate.

http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using.html

So - if I changed these IP addresses in my router, then had no dropped connections, it would suggest the problem lies with the ISP ?

Thanks

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

thorax

75 posts

Master Geek

#424757 6-Jan-2011 19:22

Next time your connection drops like that drop to a shell and execute

nslookup

type a web site - if you get no response from server then try

server 8.8.8.8

then type a website and see if you get a response from google dns, then you will know that its a problem with your isp dns.

ie

nslookup
google.co.nz
server 8.8.8.8
google.co.nz

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