16 port network switch help

[blue-eye-boy]

So at work I got a new 16 port network switch cause the old 8 port had no more open ports. How it works, we have 2 pc's, and a few butchery scales that is all linked to the switch via lan cable. And the adsl modem is also plugged into the switch. It all work fine till I installed the new switch. What happens is I change prices or create new product labels on the pc, and that send it to the scales via the switch - lan cables. Now the scales all show off-line, and the second pc also now doesn't have internet access any more. So basically it looks like just the main pc have access to the switch and the adsl, not the rest.

Is there some settings I can check to "open" the switch for all the rest?

 

[SilverNodashi]

what make and model is it? If it cost anything less than R800 then it's generally an unmanaged switch and you don't need to / can't change anything on it. Only the more expensive, managed switches (check if it has a serial port, or other funny looking ports) allow you to change the port settings. And even then they're normally set to auto negotiate, with the highest option (1GB / 100MB) on first priority.

Do you have a laptop, or another PC that you can test it on? Cause it could be that your scales have cross-over LAN cables (maybe for when they were used directly to the POS?) and the new switch doesn't support auto crossover negotiation? So, maybe try another patch cable and see if that works?

 

[hilton]

Very odd indeed. As SoftDux said even a smart managed switch will work out the box. Was the 8port definately a switch or perhaps a hub? Could the existing cables be CAT3 or something not compatible with the new switch?

My gut feel says hard reset the switch (paper clip into the reset hole) and then if that doesn't work return it. From what you've said, there are no other devices on the network that could be causing a loop?

 

[HavocXphere]

Probably the crimping on the cables. Damn things aren't nearly as uniform as they should be so different ports in router & the old cables might just not fit properly.

Unplug all leftmost and rightmost ports...those sometimes behave differently.

If you've got a LAN cable you can test Rudi's crossover theory...the lights on the tester should jump (1-3-5-2-4 etc) if its crossover.

 

[ponder]

Hardcode your speed & duplex settings. Sometimes autonegotiation does not work so hot.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

Shucks you guys speak greek here. The new 16 port doesn't have a name on the box, I could not get a better 16 port here in polokwane, not even at incredible, so I had to take it. I will check tomorrow morning if I can see anything , even if it can be reset. Then I'll reply from there.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

Okay turns out the new switch or something modified ip addresses on the pc, and some of the lan cables are faulty. Now I want to get new cables, but it is quite a length, like 20 metres. So I was wondering is it possible to get a network switch in the work area, run all the scales to it, and the just one cable to the pc. But at the pc there is a adsl modem and another pc. So basically at the pc there must be a network switch as well, for the 1 cable that come from the work area switch, the adsl modem and another pc.

So bottom line is, is it possible to link 2 network switches, and will it work the same at the end?

 

[SilverNodashi]

The switch itself won't changes IP's, unless it has DHCP - which it probably doesn't.

And yes, you can hookup multiple switches together to form a larger network. 20m isn't long though, but if it's easier then get a 2nd switch and put it on the other side of the building BUT, don't ever, connect the switches in a circle / loop, i.e. SwitchA -> SwitchB -> SwitchC -> SwitchA.

 

[Billy]

Yes. I have a 8 port switch feeding to another 8 port about 30M away. also linked to 4 port router at home

Also in another installation in a factory 16 port feeding 2 8 port total computers 22.

Cabling is reduced if the switches can be centrally located.

Also rather put in fixed cables with boxes and then standard short fly leads to the computers.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

Okay thanks, will try that now. Hope all will help reducing the mess it is right now.

 

[syntax]

Okay turns out the new switch or something modified ip addresses on the pc, and some of the lan cables are faulty. Now I want to get new cables, but it is quite a length, like 20 metres. So I was wondering is it possible to get a network switch in the work area, run all the scales to it, and the just one cable to the pc. But at the pc there is a adsl modem and another pc. So basically at the pc there must be a network switch as well, for the 1 cable that come from the work area switch, the adsl modem and another pc.

So bottom line is, is it possible to link 2 network switches, and will it work the same at the end?

I am struggling to follow, but why not run 1 cable from the main switch to the adsl modem? (assuming the adsl modem has a few switch ports, which they usually do)

As for the modifying ip address's. Thats interesting, is there no way you can provide the switch model and name at all?
Do an ip config on a few of the machines and check the ip address's yourself

 

[blue-eye-boy]

I am struggling to follow, but why not run 1 cable from the main switch to the adsl modem? (assuming the adsl modem has a few switch ports, which they usually do)

As for the modifying ip address's. Thats interesting, is there no way you can provide the switch model and name at all?
Do an ip config on a few of the machines and check the ip address's yourself

NO THE MODEM DOES NOT HAVE A FEW PORTS, JUST A MODEM. ON THE BOX OF THE SWITCH IS NO MODEL NAME OR ANYTHING, JUST 16 PORT ETHERNET SWITCH. THE SCALES TECH GUY SHOWED ME HOW TO CHECK THE IP ADDRESSES ON THE SCALES NOW, SO I CAN SEE WHAT IT IS. THERE WAS SOME WORK DONE ON THE PC LAST WEEK, INSTALLED SECURITY CAMS AND THE PC PROGRAM FOR IT, SO MAYBE THE GUYS DOING THAT MODIFIED SOMETHING WITH THE IP ADDRESSES, THAT'S THE ONLY EXPLANATION I CAN THINK OF.

 

[MickZA]

I also have a "no name brand" 8 port switch (from Makro I think) which works fine with short cable lengths but start increasing the total cable length and it grinds to a halt, swapped it out for a DLink equivalent and no problems.

 

[MVGL]

The new switch most definitely will not make the changes to your network especially a noname switch. These usually have very limited functionality.

As said earlier here, put the switch in the most suited location, connect your scales to it and then run another two Cat5 Cables to the ADSL Modem and PC or if the Modem has a built in switch, then just run one Cat 5 to the ADSL Modem and connect the PC to it directly.

As mentioned, do an IPconfig /all under your Command Prompt and see what you come up with. You will be able to see if DHCP is enabled also check what your default Gateway is. Is your PC configured for Static IP or is it also DHCP.

If you can post some more detail here, maybe we can help you. If a CCTV System was setup, you will 10 to 1 find that some Port forwarding has been configured on your Router. Can you give more details on this as well?

Let us know.

 

[rebel998]

Noname switch?!?

Sounds risky.

Get someone who knows to sort it for you.

Might cost you a few bucks but it'll save you a lot of stress.

 

[SilverNodashi]

no-name switches generally referred to cheap (often R200) unmanaged switches, other than Cisco / 3com / D-Link / Netgear / HP / Dell / etc.

Everyone has already told him what todo, and it's really as simple as what we said. If he wants to get someone in he could expect to pay R300 - R2000, depending on who he gets and what they do.

 

[rebel998]

Sorry but he seems in over his ears.

But you're right in figuring the CCTV system could mess you around.

If the DVR is set on static ip it could be a factor.

Ask the guy for the password of the DVR and go into the config to confirm.

In general,I would assume the ADSL modem to be the DHCP server though.