Dell Switch Problem

My question is, do the computers show link lights at all?

They seem to be. But I can be simply sitting at my PC not doing anything and I completely lose my network connection.

I just purchased a dell  Powerconnect 2016 and am experiencing a similar problem... except that the network connection goes away and doesn't seem to come back.

as I am attempting to migrate users from a 10-base hub, I do notice that things return to normal when I move them back (off the switch and back on the hub)... curious, it seems to manifest first after re-booting the workstation(s)... I have mostly windows nt and windows 200 desktops and a mix os nt and 2k servers...  I'm afraid to re-boot the servers and have them go offline; I hope this can be resolved soon... have you talked with tech support yet?

 

We are also having problems with a new 2016 switch, but only with one computer.  When we plug the computer in, all three lights for that connection start blanking.  I haven't been able to find anywhere what that means.  I tried a different cable to the computer, and then everything works ok.  Going back to the old cable with the old hub still works.  I suspect the cable just can't handle 100 base-t, or there is too much interference somewhere.  I don't know if that helps with anyone else's problem, but does anyone know the "official" explanation of the three lights blinking?

I have the exact same problem with a powerconnect 2508 - every morning at about 8 (where i check) the netconnection is gone and the switch has to be powered off an on again for the network to work.

The switch is connected to a router in the last 2 ports with cross over cables - and 3 servers connected in the first ports.

 

How come it looses the connection???

This switch is easy to troubleshoot. First confirm the cable and attached node are functional by moving the cable to a port that is currently operational. Next reboot the switch. If the ports continue to be nonfunctional call Dell for a replacement switch.

troubleshooting this 2508 switch might me more complicated than you thought.

i have had a crash of my switch for 3 times in just 2 day's.

everything seems to be ok on the switch (link lights are burning) but no traffic will be transmitted.

the only solution i found was to unplug the powercord and plug in in after about 5 seconds.

because this is an unmanaged switch i cannot receive any error logs ;)

and i will contact dell support helpdesk to replace this device with another.

We just found out that Dell has a batch of defective 2016 switches. It seems that these were distributed during the summer but I am not sure of the entire span. I do know that after a certain amount of "discussion" with my Dell sales rep, all 32 switches were replaced at no charge. Its a shame that Dell knew about this issue but decided to wait until     customers called enough times to complain. If you are having this issue with a recent Dell switch, I would call up customer service and demand a replacement.

I have experienced the same problem at two client accounts each having the PowerConnect 2016 Switch. After contacting tech support it appears that since this is an unmanaged switch and requires auto-negotation for connection, the the network card drivers must be current and compatible. Tech Support could not give me a list of acceptable cards and drivers but suggested I upgrade all workstations NIC drivers having the problem (which is all). He did say that he knew the Intel Pro cards worked.

Unfortunately, since I am paid by the hour this is not an option. Many of the PCs are old and would probably need a new NIC so the cheaper solution is to replace the new switch with a second hub.

 

The batch of defective switches about which you speak has a specific symptom. When the switch locks up, many or all of the port LEDs will be lit. This includes ports that have no network cable connected. If you are experiencing lockups with one or more PowerConnect 2016 switches, but do not see this symptom, it is unlikely that the switch replacement will resolve your issue.

There are many reasons for an unmanaged switch to lock up. One of the major differences between a hub and a switch is the use of memory buffers. A Store-And-Forward switch (the switched method used by all PowerConnect switches) copies the entire frame into its memory buffers to run a CRC. A broadcast storm, which could be caused by something as simple as a single NIC going bad, could cause these buffers to overfill and lock the switch. A hub does not use memory buffers, so you would not experience the same problem.

If you are experiencing general lockups with a PowerConnect 2016 (or any unmanaged switch) but have not seen the symptom described above, I would suggest analyzing the traffic on your network to look for excessive broadcasts and other erratic behavior.