Network problems - packet loss

[Messiah Khan]

I'm currently trying to sort out my new files server and media player (PCH C200) but am having severe network issues. Both the PCH and file server are having issues. At first I though it might be IP conflicts, so I have set everything on my network to have static IPs, but the problems are still there.

When I ping the router/switch, wireless bridge and laptop (ie everything that is wireless) then I have no problems. but if I ping the server or PCH, I get between 25%-50% packet loss. And it seems to be going in cycles. If I look at the syslog of the unRAID server (XNAS), this is what it is spitting out;

Aug 5 15:36:13 XNAS kernel: sky2 eth0: Link is up at 100 Mbps, full duplex, flow control both
Aug 5 15:36:13 XNAS ifplugd(eth0)[1526]: Link beat detected.
Aug 5 15:36:13 XNAS kernel: sky2 eth0: Link is down.
Aug 5 15:36:14 XNAS ifplugd(eth0)[1526]: Link beat lost.
Aug 5 15:36:15 XNAS kernel: sky2 eth0: Link is up at 100 Mbps, full duplex, flow control both
Aug 5 15:36:15 XNAS ifplugd(eth0)[1526]: Link beat detected.
Aug 5 15:36:17 XNAS kernel: sky2 eth0: Link is down.
Aug 5 15:36:17 XNAS ifplugd(eth0)[1526]: Link beat lost.
Aug 5 15:36:19 XNAS kernel: sky2 eth0: Link is up at 100 Mbps, full duplex, flow control both
Aug 5 15:36:19 XNAS kernel: sky2 eth0: Link is down.
Aug 5 15:36:20 XNAS kernel: sky2 eth0: Link is up at 100 Mbps, full duplex, flow control both
Aug 5 15:36:21 XNAS ifplugd(eth0)[1526]: Link beat detected.
Aug 5 15:36:29 XNAS kernel: sky2 eth0: Link is down.
Aug 5 15:36:29 XNAS ifplugd(eth0)[1526]: Link beat lost.

etc etc. Same seems to be happening to the PCH. I've tried changing the cables, and the router was workign fine this morning. Any ideas?

 

[DJMK4]

I know its a daft question, but has anything been plugged in or changed on the network?

 

[Messiah Khan]

I know its a daft question, but has anything been plugged in or changed on the network?

Nothing has been added as such, but I have stripped it all down and put it back together as all the cables were in a right mess. So in terms of identifying what has changed it might be quite hard. But it is a fairly simple network;

DG834G Router ------- File Server
------- PCH C200
------- Blu Ray player (for firmware updates)

Then the wireless connecting to a laptop, and a wireless bridge with a PC attached.

As I say, the wireless part is working fine, it's just the wired parts playing up.

 

[Messiah Khan]

Well it seems that if I connect the server/PCH through an old 10/100 router, it forces the DG834G to run at 10Mbps for some reason, but I get no packet loss. If I then try the same setup with a 10/100/1000 router, it gives a 100Mbps link but I get crazy packet loss. So it seems like the router's ports are being very unstable. But why?