Can't ping router through 2608 switch

Question

I'm having a problem adding a PowerConnect 2608 unmanaged switch to my home office network.    Config: Cable Modem -> NetGear RT314 Router  -> 2608 Switch -> 2 PCs (laptop w/XP Pro, desktop w/Win 95)   The router and switch are connected via a brand new Cat 5e crossover cable.  The router also acts as a DHCP server.   Problem: When I connect the laptop directly to the Router, I can recieve an IP address from the router and access the internet just fine.  If I connect the laptop in the configuration above (via the switch), then I do not get an IP address assigned and I can't even ping the router.  This is true for both the desktop PC and the laptop.   If I manually assign static IPs to the desktop and laptop (192.168.0.11, 192.168.0.10), then I can ping each device locally connected to the switch.  However, I still can't ping the router (192.168.0.1).   Tried: Another crossover cable.  All combinations of ports uplinking the switch to the router.  Changing patch cables for each the PCs, etc.   I'm by no means networking savy, but I simply don't understand why I cannot even ping the router.  Is my ping not making it out of the switch?  Is the router not sending a reply?  Any help is much appreciated.

noraz · Answer

It was suggested to try a normal CAT5e patch cable instead of a crossover cable, but that yielded the same results.   I also tried another 2608 switch, also with the same results, so it doesn't appear to be defective hardware, just a defective user ;-P

GregM_1 · Answer

Lets attempt to rule out the cable, try this:   Take one of the desktop network cables (which we know works due to the client pings) and use that to connect the 2608 to the router.  Then check the LEDs on both devices, anything odd or different?  Does it indicate the link is up?   If still no go, I would try a new store bought cat5e or cat6 cable and try again.  I have seen this resolve very similar scenarios.   If still no go, I would see if there is a firmware upgrade for your router and apply it.  The issue will probably be some sort of negotiation/chipset driver incompatibility, which a firmware can address.

noraz · Answer

Thanks for the suggestions...   I actually gave up and chalked it up to a compatibility issue between the RT314 router and the Dell 2608 switch.  The router did have the latest firmware, so I wasn't sure what else to do.   I went ahead and built a Smoothwall firewall on an old box.  The two 2608 switches are now connected to the green (internal) and orange (dmz) sides of the firewall and everything is playing nicely together.    This is the setup I wanted all along, but wasn't ready to dive into.  Oh well, it seems to have worked out for the best.  I would have liked to known the root cause of the problem; it makes me feel beaten down ;-P

M2inOR · Answer

I also have a Netgear RT314 and am unable to use the 2608 when connected to any of the 4 ports on the router. Tried different cables, cross-over cable - no dice.

Also tried connecting via a 10/100 hub that works fine to RT314 router - again no dice.

2608 works between any device connected to 2608, but nothing upstream.

Perhaps becuase these are all older devices...

Too bad.

Mike

Networking General

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