Is it my cable modem, my router, or ...

Posts: 66

I keep losing internet connectivity and can't figure out if it's my modem, router, or something else.

This started happening sporadically after I replaced my SB3100 modem with an SB5100. Last week I swapped out the modem and it's happened twice in about 9 days. Today when it happened I tried the following:

1) powered-cycled my RT31P2 router. After this I could ping my router but nothing on the internet. Wish I had tried this before power-cycling the router to see if it was dead. Next time.
2) hooked a laptop directly to the modem. Could not get an IP.
3) Power-cycled the modem - after this all is well again.

I don't know how likely it is I got two bad modems in a row. When it's working it works great. It kinda seems like an imcompatibility between the modem and the router since this didn't happen with the SB3100. TWC accessed the modem remotely and says everything looks great.

Anyone have any ideas? Don't make me call customer support, please!

Jim

Posts: 646 · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 7:03 pm Post subject:

Well, to solve one piece of the puzzle, you have to power-cycle the SB5100 when you move it from one device to another. Otherwise, it'll still be looking for the first device.

Next time it dies, see if you can access http://192.168.100.1/

Posts: 134 · Vonage Representative Joined: Apr 15, 2005 Posts: 134

try logging into the Vonage router then go to apps and gaming, then qos, scroll all the way down and disable qos, and save settings, see if that works

Posts: 66 · Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:57 am Post subject:

Thanks Paul & Enigma, I'll give those suggestions a try.

Jim

Posts: 1179 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1179

Jim,

The simplest way to figure out which piece of the puzzle is causing the problem is to eliminate all of the variables except for one.

So in your case, I would try the following approach.

I would connect my computer directly to the SB5100 for a couple of days and see if that works without a hitch. If there are no issues this then eliminates the modem as the source of the problem. Then I would powercycle the SB5100 and connect the router to it. Now see if it disconnects by using it for a couple of days.

In my case, I've never had any problems with the router. Any disconnects I've experienced have always come from the ISP network becoming unstable. My SB4100 modem would lose its connection to the network. When the modem power light is the only one solid and the receive light is blinking, it's a sure sign that the ISP is having issues.

I initially thought that my router was causing the problems but when I went to dslreports.com there were numerous posts for my ISP at around the same time which means that it was the ISP at fault.

hope this helps, mundy5

Posts: 66 · Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 3:23 pm Post subject:

mundy5 wrote:

I would connect my computer directly to the SB5100 for a couple of days and see if that works without a hitch. If there are no issues this then eliminates the modem as the source of the problem. Then I would powercycle the SB5100 and connect the router to it. Now see if it disconnects by using it for a couple of days.

In my case, I've never had any problems with the router. Any disconnects I've experienced have always come from the ISP network becoming unstable. My SB4100 modem would lose its connection to the network. When the modem power light is the only one solid and the receive light is blinking, it's a sure sign that the ISP is having issues.

Connecting only *one* computer and not having phone service for a couple days does *not* pass the "spousal" test. Wink

The modem looks normal when this happens - all lights solid except for the receive light which blinks happily along. I believe it's an ISP thing as you say, and I'm working on getting RR here to look at things.

Jim

Posts: 1179 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1179

didn't realize that your Vonage is your only line. it definitely would not pass my spouse test either. hope rr can figure some things out for you.

Posts: 5 · Last edited by edgirard on Sun Aug 21, 2005 9:37 pm; edited 1 time in total

Re: loss of connectivity - repeatedly! Comcast says no error!?!

When the connectivity loss occurs, my approach is power-off the modem, shutdown the PC, and power-off the Linksys RT31P2, wait 2 to 3 minutes; then, reconnect power to the modem (RCA DCM 245), start the PC, and plug power to the Linksys RT31P2 .

Comcast says: No cause / error from their network; but, the connectivity drops repeatedly after a few minutes.
When the connectivity drops, it usually happens over and over again (with connectivity time lasting only several minutes or less); then, magically no connectivity loss for a good while.
when good connectivity time occurs it lasts up to several hours to eight [8] hours. However, the good luck constant connectivty always fails, sooner or later.

The Linksys RT31P2 is connected straight off the RCA Cable modem; then, the computer's Linksys Model USB100TX NIC (Ethernet to USB) off the Linksys RT31P2.

This problem is exasperating Boo hoo!

to say the least.
I don't have hard empherical evidence; however, the Linksys RT31P2 must have some process or hardware signaling snafu, as it happens repeatedly, daily!

Further, noting that numerous other users are experiencing this syndrome (connectivty loss) is somewhat telling too!

This repeated and continuing connectivity loss didn't occur when the Linksys RT31P2 was behind another router; however, as noted elsewhere, when the Linksys RT31P2 is not "first" then the Vonage QOS is exempted.

One curious thing i've noted is the phone off the RJ-11 port on the Linksys RT31P2 can make and receive calls even though the PC has lost connectivity.

Anyone have knowledge of what is likely wrong here and what is likely the cause and effect?
Thanks in advance, Cheers!
Best Regards,
Ed - "edgirard" et2003@comcast.net 904-807-8643
Jacksonville, FL US Flag

Skype: oemcompute

Posts: 66 · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:34 am Post subject:

enigma91884 wrote:

try logging into the Vonage router then go to apps and gaming, then qos, scroll all the way down and disable qos, and save settings, see if that works

I made this change a week ago and haven't lost connectivity yet, no other changes made on my end.

Jim

Posts: 5 · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 11:22 am Post subject:

Thanks Jim
Best Regards,
Ed - et2003@comcast.net -
Vonage= 904-807-8643 -
Skype: oemcompute -

jimholcomb wrote:

enigma91884 wrote:

try logging into the Vonage router then go to apps and gaming, then qos, scroll all the way down and disable qos, and save settings, see if that works

I made this change a week ago and haven't lost connectivity yet, no other changes made on my end.

Jim