Hi Spong - welcome to the forum. 1 simple question, when the other machines internet access is unavailable, can you still browse on the gateway box??
If not, then you have a connection problem - either there is something wrong with your router or your line - my guess is that it is the router.
I'm reposting a previous post for ease of reference because I think it applies here:
Posted - 09/05/2003 : 18:05:42
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Hi Guys
I've been having this problem for the past month. I'm running a Netgear DM602 and this is my 2c worth.
I've logged a plethora of calls with Telkom. I would list all my ref# here but seeing there isn't enough disk space on all the computers in the world, I'll spare that thought.
Ok, to get back to the problem. Once my router sync's up, I've got roughly 5 - 10 mins of surfing time before the router drops its connection. On querying the details through the gateway admin page, I notice that I'm transmitting packets but receiving nothing. Pinging anything but the router returns bugger all so I've been disconnected.
I called the Telkom techs in, they brought their router and plugged in. Sync'd in about 20 secs and no problem. It turns out that everyone has line attenuation (?? spelling). The normal level of line attenuation is generally around 56-58. The cut-off is 60. In other words, anything higher than 60 will cause problems with your connection. On plugging in the POTS router, my line attenuation is sitting at 58. When I plug in my Netgear, it jumps to 63. Although you can use it at values higher than 60, your modem will disconnect because the line is unstable.
How do we fix this??? Well, there's 2 ways of fixing it (and this is according to the telkom techies).
Fix 1 : use another router
or
Fix 2 : use another router
Surely there must a filter or something that you can plug into your line that can keep your attenuation at a certain level. I'm no electrical engineer and I have no clue what line attenuation is but if anyone out there can give some advice, please do so.
And by the by, I'm patenting this line attenuation stabilizer device
unless its already been thought of before
My advice to anyone out there with the same problems, get telkom to check your line attenuation and if its over 60 and you get it working, please tell me what to do. I've just forked out for the netgear and I don't feel like forking out again for another router, especially the very cheap POTS router
Posted - 09/08/2003 : 15:21:54
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Hi guys
Just to update whats happened since my last post. Well, it turns out it was my router. I've changed from a netgear DM602 to a netgear DG814. I must say, what a difference. A crap load more features, firewall, e-mail notifications, its great - I recommend it.
Since I've plugged it in - no problems - score!!!
Another nice feature is that if the line drops, the modem displays it - the 602 didn't which was a pain in the butt. Anwyay, try this router if u still got problems
and last one :
KnKyJ, heres some advice, get Telkom to test your line attenuation, both with your router plugged in and without. If your attenuation jumps over 60 (with your router plugged in), your line will be unstable and your router will have sync problems. If you've got faxes and other phones connected to your ADSL line, unplug them and check your attenuation - have the guys on the phone - they owe it to you to run a few tests and it will only take a few minutes.
My recommendation is
1.) Unplug all your phones except the one you're going to phone telkom with
2.) Phone Tech Support (0800 375 375) and ask them to check the line attenuation - I'm not too sure who u'll need to speak to because I did this with the Telkom techie who phoned cape town (apparantly toll free)
3.) with them on the phone, plug in your router and then each phone one by one, each time asking them to test your attenuation. Once you hit over 60, u'll know which device is causing the problem.
Its a tedious solution, but at least you'll find out what the problem is. Also, it will save you having to buy another router if it's your fax or phone causing the problem. In my case, I plugged in all the phones and no change in attenuation. As soon as I plugged in my router (DM602) it jumped from 58 to 63.
When I got the new router, I phoned in and did the procedure all over again, my attenuation stayed solid at 58, since then no problems.
Rather find out if its your line/router thats causing the problem before thinking that your network has issues - since I've changed my router, I've had no problems browsing from any machine on my network - I hope this helps.
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