I got 99 problems, and a switch is one...

uproar90 · 01-29-2012, 02:37 PM

Flashback 6 years ago... New entertainment center & TV post Katrina.

Ran cat5 throughout the house and dropped a line behind the TV to connect any peripherals that might get installed in the cabinet.

Linksys 5 port switch was handy at the time, so put it in and it worked fine to support the meager pieces there for years (WLAN, PS3, 360, Tivo, WD Media player, etc.)

About 4 months ago it started flaking out... iNet speeds would drop to a crawl. Like 200k DL speed slow, but this was only on the wireless AP in the entertainment center, and connectivity to xbox live was hit or miss. The office PCs however were as fast as ever... No issues on the rest of the network.

So I pull the switch out of the equation, and wire from the wall to the AP and speeds return to normal.

Problem seemed to be in the switch, so I replaced it... Bestbuy had a Netgear 5-port for $45, so I put that in place of the linksys and everything was happy again. Wife's laptop's DL speeds return to normal, and I get no more complaints. ...until about 3 weeks ago. Same symptoms return... iNet speeds crawling on the switch in the ent.center again.

Same scenario... hardwire straight to the AP (remove the switch from the equation), and speeds return to normal.

So my question... Anyone ever see low-end switches like this fail coincidentally? Or is something in my ent.center eating switches?

authentic · 01-29-2012, 02:42 PM

try replacing the cable running from the outlet to the AP/Switch

uproar90 · 01-29-2012, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by authentic

try replacing the cable running from the outlet to the AP/Switch

Why?

The cable from the outlet to AP (formally feeding the switch) works fine on the AP, and also works fine on the 360 with no issues.

blupony · 01-29-2012, 09:21 PM

I have gone through several of those $20 5 port Linksys switches. They work for a while then I get the same symptoms you have. You get what you pay for. Just threw one out last week because I got tired of unplugging and plugging it back in a couple of times a day when the internet would slow to a crawl.

St. Widge · 01-29-2012, 10:07 PM

My professional opinion is that you need some sort of expensive piece of technology that only buzd knows about.

zeetes · 01-29-2012, 11:47 PM

switches do go bad, there really isn't much to them which is why they are so cheap. i've definitely had the worst experiences with netgear, so i'm bias in saying they are absolute garbage. i've burned through more of them than dlink/linksys.

also, one of the other devices on the switch could have a grounding issue and is giving a little feedback.

uproar90 · 01-30-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blupony

I have gone through several of those $20 5 port Linksys switches. They work for a while then I get the same symptoms you have. You get what you pay for. Just threw one out last week because I got tired of unplugging and plugging it back in a couple of times a day when the internet would slow to a crawl.

At least it makes me feel better that it's not just me with this 'cheap switch' frustration. FWIW... The Linksys was probably 10 or so years old before it started acting up... The Netgear made it only 3 months or so. I'm inclined to go back to Linksys, or at least try a different name, but the netgear is supposedly going to be replaced via warranty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by St. Widge

My professional opinion is that you need some sort of expensive piece of technology that only buzd knows about.

I'll keep that in mind... Thinking I'll hold out for an expensive piece of tech that goes on sale so I can still walk normal after.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeetes

switches do go bad, there really isn't much to them which is why they are so cheap. i've definitely had the worst experiences with netgear, so i'm bias in saying they are absolute garbage. i've burned through more of them than dlink/linksys.

also, one of the other devices on the switch could have a grounding issue and is giving a little feedback.

I thought about that... What piece *might* be eating switches... I've got a PS3, 360, WD Media Player, and the AP in the ent.center.

TBH... I think I remember similar symptoms about a year ago when the AP was in the office. I moved it to the ent.center b/c the wife was complaining that the signal & speeds were dropping out so I moved it closer to the living room where she has her laptop.

It's totally possible that the AP itself is causing the problems.

I'm going to get the RMA'd netgear back in the system, see how that goes, and then if I'm still having trouble, I'm just going to replace everything from the modem on down...

Docsis 3.0 MODEM, 8-port switch, router all in the office and then another 4-port switch + new AP in the ent.center.

Not sure if I'm weird or not in wanting all components to match brand, but I'll be open to advice on which manufacturer to go with...

Thanks again folks...

jrdbrn · 01-30-2012, 08:41 AM

Is it in a closed cabinet? Maybe it's overheating?

authentic · 01-30-2012, 02:18 PM

because I couldn't be bother to give you a better answer? haha

Cowboy-Hater · 02-01-2012, 10:53 PM

If you get netgear go for the prosafe models. Blue metal cases. Little more expensive but work for a long time. I use these for my remote networks (over 400 seperate networks all over US) andthey work good. Overheating could be the issue as another poster stated. Also could be bad power frying the ac adapter. I have hade some netgears up with no issues for over 2 years. Granted these are managed switches but same prosafe model family.

Rickboy · 02-02-2012, 06:20 AM

Friends don't let friends buy from Best Buy... Use NewEgg or Amazon. $45 is WAYYYY too much for a switch...

I've gone through way too many switches. I've got failed Linksys and Netgear 5 ports switches. I should say that my D-line 5 port router/switch/wi-fi unit has served me well for the last few years.

The fact is that these units are made cheaply when compared with enterprise level equipment. Do not let them over heat. Keep them well ventilated. If at all possible, get one that can be managed. You can get good ones that last next to forever but by then the technology is obsolete.

I think Cowboy-Hater may be the right path. I haven't used Netgear prosafe but my last FVS-318 firewall/router was bulletproof. I only replaced it due to obsolescence.

I recently acquired a Cisco SG 300-10 switch. I need to get off my duff and get it setup. I should say I mainly bought it for use in my VMware lab because it can use VLAN tagging but I'm going to use it for the rest of the home as well..

Saint77 · 02-02-2012, 05:45 PM

I'll second the vote for prosafe switches.

In my experience, those cheap 4 port switches come in good and bad batches, so don't bother with them

uproar90 · 02-03-2012, 12:35 PM

Sorry for taking so long to respond... Work has been a bit hectic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrdbrn

Is it in a closed cabinet? Maybe it's overheating?

The cabinet is closed, but I've also never reached in there and thought that any component was 'hot' or that the cabinet itself was overly warm. I'm not saying it's not possible, just seemed unlikely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickboy

Friends don't let friends buy from Best Buy... Use NewEgg or Amazon. $45 is WAYYYY too much for a switch...

I've gone through way too many switches. I've got failed Linksys and Netgear 5 ports switches. I should say that my D-line 5 port router/switch/wi-fi unit has served me well for the last few years.

The fact is that these units are made cheaply when compared with enterprise level equipment. Do not let them over heat. Keep them well ventilated. If at all possible, get one that can be managed. You can get good ones that last next to forever but by then the technology is obsolete.

I think Cowboy-Hater may be the right path. I haven't used Netgear prosafe but my last FVS-318 firewall/router was bulletproof. I only replaced it due to obsolescence.

I recently acquired a Cisco SG 300-10 switch. I need to get off my duff and get it setup. I should say I mainly bought it for use in my VMware lab because it can use VLAN tagging but I'm going to use it for the rest of the home as well..

Yeah, the $45 was a tough pill to swallow, but it was one of those situations where I was in a bind, and really just needed it to work right then. In the last week, I found the same switch @ Amazon for $20 with a $10 mail in rebate... Not that I'd ever follow through with a rebate, but still...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saint77

I'll second the vote for prosafe switches.

In my experience, those cheap 4 port switches come in good and bad batches, so don't bother with them

I'll definitely look into the prosafe line.

Thanks all for the info.

jrdbrn · 02-03-2012, 01:50 PM

Btw, Amazon sells the ProSafe switches for $35 ($10 rebate) and free shipping. Rebate comes fast in Visa gift card.

saintfan-n-alex · 02-05-2012, 02:20 PM

you could have failing switches - could also be a device connected has issues

unplug each device from the switch individually, give it sme time to see if issue returns

if the switch has leds, see if they seem to be racing, flickering in a maner that doesnt reflect data transfer - sometimes you will see a change in the leds manner of flashing as soon as you plug in the "bad" device assuming it is powered on and passing traffic

for instance i was troubleshooing a similar issue at a car dealership, found a loop in the network on a switch that someone plugged bot ends of the cable into the same switch - devices that have nic issues or viruses sometimes cause this behavior