issues with Linux game server...need help!

[somethingwicked]

This one sounds odd because it IS odd.

I've always run a three-computer LAN through a standard ethernet hub, with my cable modem on the uplink (standard connection-sharing configuration). The three computers include two fairly standard PC's running WinME and Win98SE, and the third is actually a game server (Unreal Tournament) that is running RedHat Linux 7.1. All three have co-existed quite nicely for the past few months, sharing the connection and remaining online at all times.

Last week, however, after returning from a vacation during which my 24/7 game server had been offline, I found that I could no longer establish a connection for the server. The other two computers worked fine...but the server stops during its boot process, and reports that it could not pull an IP address (via DHCP). I pulled the NIC out of the server and replaced it with the NIC from my WinME computer, and all was well. But when i installed the NIC from the server in my Windows computer, THAT computer could no longer establish a connection.

I called RoadRunner, and went through troubleshooting for my windows PC (they refuse to support Linux)...after a few minutes, and after unplugging the cable modem to reset it, I was able to get my windows PC online (with the network card that was originally in the server). But then the server went back to its previous state, unable to pull an IP address.

It would seem to me that RoadRunner has somehow capped my DHCP requests, and limited my connection to two IP's (right now it's one for each windows PC). However, after speaking with their support people, I'm told that there is no such limit...the roadrunner support site confirms this (albeit vaguely).

So, if anyone has ANY ideas on how to remedy this...or if anyone has experienced a similar cap on DHCP requests...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me what you know...

Thanks in advance!

[Pains2]

Sorry i can't help you, but i did have a similar experince with @home where i had a black out for a few hours without knowing it (i was at work) when i got home i couldn't get my server to access the net either, i called them up and went through the hole thing, still they couldn't get me online...turns out that they had to re-set something in the box at the side of my house becuase after a certian down time the modem and the box need to be re-configured....there was a made dash to pull everything apart so as the tech dude wouldn't see the mass of wires, server and switch that normally resides in the "computer" room lol everything works great although instead of downloading at around 500-700KB from every computer it's now averages between 400-500KB but it works and that's the main thing. Sorry i can't be more help.:confused:

[Stef]

Did you try reseting the modem once you had re-inserted that NIC back into the server > ?

Do you have any packet filtering policies in place that would hinder normal communication between your Linux DHCP client and your ISP's DHCP server?

Stef

[somethingwicked]

actually, it's all sorted now...

the problem wasn't on my end at all...it seems that my cable company has decided to put a limit on the number of IP addresses per node. As of a couple weeks ago (about the time my troubles started), they imposed a 2-IP limit on every customer...and the only way to get more IP addresses is to basically open up a second subscription!!!

I think i'm going to get a netgear SOHO cable/dsl router and put my workstations behind that, and then give the gameserver my other available IP...that should eliminate any possibility of unwanted filtering on the server connection, but will still allow me to run as many PC's on halfway decent connections at the same time.

[Sid]

The netgear router works great but there documentation and help sucks hardcore. Just wanted you to know.