Networking & wireless forum: Intermittent network packet loss

Didn't seem to work. Router is Linksys N900. Two wired connections are plugged directly into the router in order to cut down on possible switch issues. I have two pcs, one on the router, and one on the switch running pingplotter, both losing connection simultaneously.

Disable WiFi and ask Netgear about their latest firmware issues. If you research this you learn about iPad/phone connection issues but here it extended to PCs as well.

I was this close to returning this Netgear.
Bob

The Netgear is a switch, unmanaged, there is no software for it, at least that I'm aware of. The router is this:

http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Routers/Linksys-EA4500-Dual-Band-N900-Router-with-Gigabit-USB_stcVVproductId145330245VVcatId543809VVviewprod.htm

I just realized that I had my 2.4 ghz and 5ghz using the same network name...thinking this royally confused the router when anyone sent wireless signals. Would this account for it? Just the first 20 minutes with wireless off seems better, time will tell.

I didn't see that router in your posts. The issue is sadly being copied it seems to other routers so when I look into this I bring another router.

As to you suspicion I can't tell you if that hurts. The most common issue I encounter is moochers. Before that were routers that the old Vista Broadcast Flag issue would cause issues. The moochers still are out there and the broadcast flag is easy to research and resolve. BUT if you find a router that has that issue you update it or toss it (in my opinion.)
Bob

I've also had these issues when I bypass the router completely, any chance at all this is the switch?

Do I need to put the MAC address for the modem somewhere in the router software?

If you are still having issues with less gear, then you haven't found it. As to the MAC address, that's well discussed so I will be short. Only required if your ISP locks the connection to a MAC address. Otherwise I leave it "stock."

Let me share another story of a person with dropping connections (cable and DSL). Turns out they were running torrent software. Even I walked out. No one can support that.
Bob

Not running torrents. I will ask ISP if they lock down address. Also - replacing the router still seems like best alternative, would you agree? I don't suppose an 8 lb sledgehammer will resolve the issue, at least favorably.

Can you supply an article that said it was?

Since we don't need a router to connect a PC and test, why isn't that done?

I supplied a little detail about router issues I hit last year. Netgear was my personal experience and my shop buddies tell me of the others. It doesn't mean this model has the issue but I keep an eye open for it.
Bob

OK - they do not lock to a MAC. Ready to go out any buy a new router if you believe it will help.

I have had it directly connected to the modem in the past with the same issues, but they (the ISP) cannot see them on the outside. However, with wireless turned off, it hasn't been tested this way. I think this may be a muti-tiered issue. I'm going to hook direct into the modem (both cable and DSL) and see what I can see... Regarding an article about the sledgehammer being helpful to other than my sanity. I haven't been able to locate yet and will spend my time resolving, and not destroying, the router.

There apparently was an area problem with DSL so that's cleared up now and I get a clean signal, but why would cable be so bad. Is error correction that good in the router?

I can discuss how cable can be a problem. Unlike DSL where each house gets their own connection to a DSLAM (I'm just an electronics engineer and software author) cable is more like a LAN. So what your neighbors are doing can impact this area's network performance.

Put poor programming practices that can't survive a drop in the connection and you have a recipe for complaints.

While slower DSL is painful to some, it's usually the one with less drops.
Bob

I get this, but why am I losing connection when my neighbors stay on? Wouldn't that root back to my property? The cable company is watching both of my neighbors connections to be sure it's not a regional issue, they stay on when I drop. Any chance at all that something in the modem and/or switch causes the internet to drop even at the modem level?

If you are getting drops from dsl/cable with just their gear on all your computers, then you are pretty much done.

If the owner can't remove gear to find the cause then you give them more time.

There are odd houses with power issues but usually the owner knows the lights flicker and you might spot it on your call.
Bob

I have a pingplotter going and it very rarely drops, if ever when I'm not using. But when I push traffic at times it goes down, but never while it's idle. It's almost like the modem is 'overwhelmed', but it's not like Im pushing form every pc at once, generally it's just one, I click on a file to download and it goes down almost instantly. That's why I keep thinking it's something on my end.

I bring my laptop. We plug directly into the ISP's supplied gear. If that drops, it's an ISP issue and we are done. If it's fine, then you try their PC plugged directly into the gear. You might have to go back and forth a few times but if the line drops on the client's PC then you have a very odd issue.

Since it is possible to tell a device to reset or drop you pull out a bootable OS such as UBUNTU to load up and download a file. That test is crucial to tell if the PC has some odd issue.

The neat part about this sort of work is the pay is good. You get to be nice as possible and the meter runs all the time. I've seen the meter exceed two thousand bucks on such a call.
Bob