I'm a firm believer in ethernet wires for stationary machines (as apposed to WiFi) ... so I'll take a stab at this thread.
So, next time you have one that Windows complains about "Network cable unplugged" ... see if the port-light on the Ethernet Switch and the little LED on the NIC itself are off. If so, it could be a "cable problem".
Your ethernet tester ... does it check for actual signals or is it one of those little "2 piece sets" that just check that all 8 wires are connected and wired properly?
Since you also have 9020's doing it, doesn't sound like a problem with the 7050's. In that case, sounds more like a premise networking problem.
On long runs (or poor cables) I have seen Gigabit-capable machines try for a 1000 connection and then give-up (instead of falling back to 100). However, I don't think it says "Network cable unplugged" ... but it's been a while.
If you narrow it down to a premise networking problem (not computers) and the cables test fine ... take a close-look at your Ethernet Switches. When those go bad (usually only one-or-two ports at a time) the lights on both ends DO turn off and it says "Network cable unplugged". Basically, it acts like the wire is bad or disconnected. Those bad ports might do that intermittently and might start working after disconnecting/re-connecting cables. Resetting the power on the Switch might also temporarily fix it. But they are still bad and will fail again. Very hard to track-down. Just remember that Ethernet Switches do fail. I'm not a network admin and my experience is limited to un-managed switches.
The light on the NIC is off in the office where I get "Network Cable Unplugged" and on back on my workbench. I tested the data port with our ethernet tester and it says there's an active connection. I brought another computer there and was able to connect via ethernet, so that's why I'm so confused. I've had this same problem with different computers and locations a couple of other times, so I thought I'd throw it out there and see if anybody else has seen this and if there's a fix for it. We have a separate group at work that takes care of the network switches, but if they come out and test that everything is alright, since our ethernet tool and a different computer (same model) worked fine, I was hoping somebody has some magical tap-on-the-back-twice-and-sprinkle-sugar-on-top kind of confirmed wizadry that's escaping my brain at the moment.
That tester is handy, but not a full computer. It's really just a quick way to prove basic wiring and that the other end is connected to a switch's active port. I would not put much faith in it (as a 100% check) ... a real computer can do that (with full network link negotiation).
My suggestion would be to:
- In every office that has a problem, install a perfect, high-grade, tested, CAT-6 patch cable.Maybe use a new color if allowed. - Keep a record of each office that fails and when - Keep a record of each machine that fails and when
You will likely eventually see a pattern, and this chart should help the LAN technicians troubleshoot the network infrastructure.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
October 25th, 2018 22:00
I'm a firm believer in ethernet wires for stationary machines (as apposed to WiFi) ... so I'll take a stab at this thread.
So, next time you have one that Windows complains about "Network cable unplugged" ... see if the port-light on the Ethernet Switch and the little LED on the NIC itself are off. If so, it could be a "cable problem".
Your ethernet tester ... does it check for actual signals or is it one of those little "2 piece sets" that just check that all 8 wires are connected and wired properly?
Since you also have 9020's doing it, doesn't sound like a problem with the 7050's. In that case, sounds more like a premise networking problem.
On long runs (or poor cables) I have seen Gigabit-capable machines try for a 1000 connection and then give-up (instead of falling back to 100). However, I don't think it says "Network cable unplugged" ... but it's been a while.
If you narrow it down to a premise networking problem (not computers) and the cables test fine ... take a close-look at your Ethernet Switches. When those go bad (usually only one-or-two ports at a time) the lights on both ends DO turn off and it says "Network cable unplugged". Basically, it acts like the wire is bad or disconnected. Those bad ports might do that intermittently and might start working after disconnecting/re-connecting cables. Resetting the power on the Switch might also temporarily fix it. But they are still bad and will fail again. Very hard to track-down. Just remember that Ethernet Switches do fail. I'm not a network admin and my experience is limited to un-managed switches.
Hope that helps or at least gives you some ideas.
RisonRG
2 Posts
0
October 26th, 2018 09:00
Thank you, Tesla1856. Our network tool does check for an actual signal. It's not fancy or anything, but it gets the job done.
https://www.amazon.com/Smartronix-Linkcheck-Ethernet-Tester/dp/B000RGI6R6
The light on the NIC is off in the office where I get "Network Cable Unplugged" and on back on my workbench. I tested the data port with our ethernet tester and it says there's an active connection. I brought another computer there and was able to connect via ethernet, so that's why I'm so confused. I've had this same problem with different computers and locations a couple of other times, so I thought I'd throw it out there and see if anybody else has seen this and if there's a fix for it. We have a separate group at work that takes care of the network switches, but if they come out and test that everything is alright, since our ethernet tool and a different computer (same model) worked fine, I was hoping somebody has some magical tap-on-the-back-twice-and-sprinkle-sugar-on-top kind of confirmed wizadry that's escaping my brain at the moment.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
1
October 26th, 2018 11:00
That tester is handy, but not a full computer. It's really just a quick way to prove basic wiring and that the other end is connected to a switch's active port. I would not put much faith in it (as a 100% check) ... a real computer can do that (with full network link negotiation).
My suggestion would be to:
- In every office that has a problem, install a perfect, high-grade, tested, CAT-6 patch cable.Maybe use a new color if allowed.
- Keep a record of each office that fails and when
- Keep a record of each machine that fails and when
You will likely eventually see a pattern, and this chart should help the LAN technicians troubleshoot the network infrastructure.