Flaky Network Connections

[ReplayPimp]

I am having a hard time keeping a network connection - I'd say it works about 20% of the time. I can not find any pattern to when it works and doesn't (however, one time I did get it to work after I upgraded the firmware on the router, however, the problem came back 6 hours later). I have 2 ReplayTV's on the network and they both have the same problem, so I'd think the problem is not with the Replays. Here the symptoms, when it works, the Replays see each other, I can ping both from my PC, and I can force net connects. It's really odd as I can get IVS working for a short period of time and the IVS testers will says everything is connected. And then a few hours later the network connection is lost. And I've been tracking the WAN IPs and Network IPs and they are still the same before and after losing the connection.

However, when it doesn't work, I can not get a IP release/renew to work, can not verify the network, and can not Ping from the PC. However, the 2 Replays can still see each other. And most times over night, the Replays are able to complete their scheduled net connections. I also can ping every computer attached to the network.

Here are the specs for my setup:
2 Replays 5060s
1 Linksys BEFSR41 4-Port Router
Netgear Powerline ethernet connection
DSL connection to verizon.

I've tried every combination of rebooting ReplayTVs, Routers, DSL modem, and PCs and it does not seem to make a difference. From my observation it happens at random. I'm not sure what to test next.

Has anybody experienced the same problems or have an idea of what to check out next?

[ClearToLand]

Start off with the first LINK in my list (pointed to by my signature line). Factors to consider: Static or dynamic IPs?
Software level on each ReplayTV?
Keep reading... ;)

[bpratt]

Flaky Network Connections
I also use the BEFSR41 4-Port router and in the past had similar problems. Someone in this forum suggested that firmware 1.45.7 for the router had problems and to use 1.44.2z version of the firmware.

I downloaded version 1.44.2z, applied it to the router, and have had no problems since. This was almost a year ago, so there may be newer versions of the firmware, but this version has worked so well, I have not considered upgrading it.

I have a 5040 upgraded to 200G and a 5504 upgraded to 200G. They can always see each other.

[Kenlex]

RP,

Can you tell us more about your network configuration? What's the PC connected to? Where's the Netgear in the configuration? Who stops being able to do DHCP release/renew?

What exactly do you mean when you say "the network connection is lost"? Can the PC still go out to the Internet? Can the Replays still stream to each other?

[ReplayPimp]

I think I have this problem isolated to the Netgear Powerline Ethernet connection. I had both Replays connected to the router through the Powerline connection (PC are directly connected to the router). I got a 100 foot ethernet cable and plugged it directly into the router and the network connection for the Replay seems stable (I'm able to send/receive shows via IVS!).

My problem is that if the issue is the Powerline connection, then I'll probably have to go wireless (my wife won't let me run a 100 foot cable through the house). Has anybody else had problems using the powerline connections?

Thanks for your help everybody:

bpratt: I changed the Linksys firmware to 1.44.2z - it did not make a difference, though I am keeping the router on this version. Thanks.

CTL: I have both Replays using static IPs

[blnt]

ReplayPimp,

Any luck with your powerline network? I moved in a new house and I am thinking of using Powerline to connect my RTV to the rest of the network. Ultimatly, I want to get a second RTV and stream between them as well (stardard quality).