Something like synchronization

[writerjon]

I'm running a dsl modem going into a Linksys router utilizing 3 ports and an uplink port to a hub that has a computer and a wireless access point coming out. The mix of operating systems is XP Home on the administrating computer, XP Home on one port, ME on one port, and ME and 2000 accessing through wireless (D-Link 900AP with D-Link air DWL-650). All are configured with DHCP, set to optain IP automatically. NETBIOS is enabled for all. Most of the time, the system works just fine. Sometimes, however, one or more of the computers will not be able to access the Internet even though others on the network can do so. It seems to happen when some computers are already on and new ones log on later. I've discovered a work around fix for this that is fairly consistent, I power down the router for about 15 seconds, and a minute or so after it comes back up it seems to reset in a way that allows everything that's connected to the network to have its proper access. I assume, though, that there's something screwed up in my configuration that is causing the problem, but I sure can't figure out what it is. Any ideas? Anyone?

Thanks,
JP

[Greenstead]

It sounds like you know what you are doing and have most things well configured. So the problem must be caused be something obscure.

I don't think there is a DHCP server in the D-Link 900AP (if there is it should be switched off or it might cause this type of problem).

There is a known DHCP problem with PCs coming back on the network after being removed. It is resolved by doing ipconfig /release and then ipconfig /renew (sometimes a reboot of the PC is needed in between these commands).

Also the SP1 release for XP introduced a problem where the PC does not resume well from hibernation and will fail in its network connection.

Bottom line is I don't know what really is causing your problem. But I guess its to do with PCs being brought back into the network and trying to get their old IP address back. An idea might be to set IP addresses manually on all the PCs. (You can leave the Linksys DHCP server on but move its DHCP starting address to say 192.168.1.20). You might also set the gateway address manually on all PCs (192.168.1.1)

[writerjon]

There's a certain irony in you saying that I "seem to know" what I'm doing "and have most things well configured" as, when it comes to networking I still feel relatively clueless. Upon exploring the options presented by your reply, I discovered a much more basic fix that had utterly escaped me. The hub and the wireless AP, along with the notebook computers they added, were recent additions to the network. When I had originally configured the router I had, not too wisely, set the number of DHCP users at the number of computers that were on the system at the time -- rather than allowing for growth. I then forgot about that setting when I grew the network, so when laptops came online they were either not getting into the system or they were cannibalizing the DHCP IP addresses of other computers. Thus, I was having to power down the router to reset the system in order to get thing right again.

I have now adjusted the number of allowable computers on the network and the problem SEEMS to have gone away. We shall see. In any case, judging by some of the other posts here, I may not be the only one to have made this mistake. Perhaps this fix can be applied to some of the others who've been having similar problems. Many thanks for your help.

Regards,
JP

[Greenstead]

OK - good to hear all is working now.

[Airjrdn]

writerjon,

Could you tell me how the DWL-900AP is working out for you? I'm considering purchasing one, strongly based on price ($59 after rebate). Does it have an http based config for setting it's options?

I've asked a couple of questions, and described my network here (http://forums.practicallynetworked.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=123)

Thanks for any help.

[writerjon]

Now that I've solved the configuration problem and expanded the number of computers allowed in the router setup, everything is working just fine. The D-Link 900 was fairly easy to set up. It uses an initial USB connection for the first setup, which can be done from any computer close enough for the cable to reach. Once the configuration has been set with the USB utility, you can switch it over to an SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) Utility. There's no HTTP config. (I assume you're talking about a dedicated utility address like the router setup.) This is easier than that. Much less to configure.

I, too, bought it for the rebate. There's also a rebate on the D-Link 650 wireless card that made the setup extremely attractive price-wise. I still read a few reviews before buying and the equipment seemed to get pretty high marks. I've had no problems other than my own thick headedness.

Good luck with whatever you do.

JP