Unreliable Internet Connection

[Lorek]

Ok, I have a LAN setup at home.
with a DSL modem coming from the outlet
to an 8 slot hub.
On the computer's I've set the network up
the internet connection isn't always working
When Using Client for Microsoft Networks
or regular Windows Logon.
I have the TCP/IP setup correctly and everything
should work 100% of the time but it doesnt

Under IP address I have xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
255.255.255.0
WINS Configuration Disabled.
Gateway xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
and DNS
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

This setup is with the ethernet set to Full Duplex
10base- T
it doesn't show anyone on the network at 100 base Tx.
Host:Ghost Domain: Home
Internet Connection only Works approximately
50% of the time and when it does its top
download speed is 20kb/sec.

I'm using a 3Com EtherLink 10/100 PCI TX NIC 3C905B-TX

Also Sometimes the network will work but the internet wont.
This is all without firewall software. With File Sharing on.


Does anyone know what could be wrong?

[YeOldeStonecat]

First, can you just plug the DSL modem into one computer, and have DSL work fine there? How do you authenticate to DSL? PPPoA ? (DHCP alone) Or PPPoE ? (Username/password required)

How are you trying to share the DSL to the rest of your LAN?

[Lorek]

With the DSL service we get 4 static IP addresses. The Computers are hooked up to a 8 port hub. The DSL modem is plugged into the uplink port on that 8 port hub.

[YeOldeStonecat]

I have not done a multiple IP account on DSL...I have on cable, with a similar setup to what you have...it was 3x IP's, cable modem ==>hub==>3x workstations. Then I talked him into a router to protect his network, as I'll try with you.

Couple of things I'd look at, besides getting a router up front to grab one IP and share that to your 4 computer behind it.

Your hub....is it only a 10Base hub? I'm going to guess it is if your computers only work when set to 10, and 100 doesn't work.

If you want networking, you will always need "Client for Microsoft Networks" as your primary logon type. Seeing that, I'm guessing your using Win98?

I would run two protocols, TCP/IP of course is needed for internet, and I'd add NetBEUI. I'd then go into your protocol bindings and unbind TCP from networking services...leaving only NetBEUI to do that. Now you're a little more secure....since your network traffic won't make it as far on the internet...since NetBEUI isn't routable, it should be dropped at your ISP's CO.

You mention things seem to work 50% of the time...http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/think.gif Couple of things come to mind....First....I see you've tossed around Client and Windows logon types...well, to have networking, you need Client for Microsoft...so flipping between those would change things for you. Make sure all are on Client as logon type if you want networking between your four computers. Next...you give your IP address...I'm assuming your other 3 IP addresses are all unique...and not the same. You cannot have the same IP address on the same network. Other things that would affect intermittent performance...a hub starting to fail, patch cables starting to fail, and patch cables that are placed near things that give off EMI...cause interference. (speakers, flourescent lamps, large AC adapters, etc)

Couple of things I would try....first, and least expensive...would be to get a switch in place of that current hub. 3COM 905 NICs are probably the most compatible and troublefree NIC's I've ever worked with....they auto-negotiate very well to whatever they're hooked up to. A 10/100 switch accomodates the best on the other end. 4 computers, you could pick up a little Linksys 5 port switch for 40 something bucks.

Next...and my most recommended method, would be to get a router, and simply share a single IP address.....DSL modem ==> Router==>your four computers. Now, all your computers are protected by a NAT firewall, and they will be on their own hidden network on a private IP scope. I haven't seen a reason why you actually need the other 3x IP addresses....even if you're running a server of sorts that you need available to the public, (mail, game, web, FTP, etc)...you can still forward ports on your router to accomodate most of those. There are very few drawbacks to running behind routers, some applications don't work to their fullest, if you play older games online with several people on your network, some don't let multiple connections from the same IP occur. So you want to take a look at how your use your network...address any issues a router may bring. But from my experience, it's my most preferred method...as most newer applications are still easy to get working fine behind a router with a little homework.

If you don't take the router approach, it would be a good idea to run software firewalls on your computers....but then you introduce difficulty in having your peer to peer network with a software firewall on each machine.

I edited your post to remove your IP address, didn't know if it was real or not..but to be safe.

[Lorek]

The hub might be failing. It's about 6 years old now. Maybe a little less. The IP was fake. was only a few numbers that popped into my head. Client for Networks is so I can network the computers but they wont show up on the private network unless NetBEUI is also installed. They only work 10baseT but the box says 10/100. This actually isn't really my setup it's my bro's but I'm trying to help him out with it. He hasn't move out yet and my dad needs to have a VPN on one of the computers with a static IP address. I personally use the Cable => Router -> Hub -> 2 Computers. Some online games wouldn't work unless I enabled Port Triggering for them on the router but that's OT for this post.

Back to the important stuff. This might not have anything to do with the hub but sometimes halfway through loading a page it'l start lagging like it was loading slowly but will drop connection if we dont pull the Ethernet Cat5 out and plug it back in. That's only on one computer though. All the IP addresses are unique.

And I read a article about security and binding File Sharing and netbuei to TCP / IP so i unbound them already. If u need microsoft client checked. How come my network works fine at my place. I have two computers both Login automatically and have the Microsoft Family Login checked. I can see both on the network still though.
Next time I'm up at my brother's im going to bring my own hub and see if its the hub.

[pvandegriff]

When you are sharing one broadband connection with 4 computers you MUST have a router for this to work properly.
If you don't you are trying to share one pipe with 4 separate IP's and that's why it works sometimes or works well for a little while.

Ther reason for this is that even though you are allocated 4 IP addresses from your ISP the DSL modem is allocated one specific IP that is usually invisble to only the most network savvy.

In order for the network to know which Computer belongs to which IP address and where it should packets should be sent you must have a device to do this. That device is a broadband router.
These typically have 1 input for WAN (connects to your DSL modem) and 4 or more ports for your PC's.

Now, my question is do you have a hub, switch or router hooked up?

If you don't use a router I don't see how it could function with multiple IP's.
:D