topic Re: 420 AP Problem in Communications and Wireless

420 AP Problem

Simon Batts — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 08:08:24 GMT

We are having problems whereby the Wired ethernet port constantly stops responding (Cannot ping etc).

The AP's are patched up to date and have the broadcast/multicast limits enabled.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Re: 420 AP Problem

Mohieddin Kharnoub — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 03:06:58 GMT

Hi

Can you explain more about your network topology.

Good Luck !!!

Re: 420 AP Problem

Simon Batts — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 05:50:51 GMT

Hi

2 x 9308 Core Switchs with approx 70 26XX & 28xx Series edge switchs.

Muliple class C ip subnets but only one Vlan at present.

Re: 420 AP Problem

Mohieddin Kharnoub — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 23:32:47 GMT

Hi

Do you have any network management system controls your network, if you do, try to check its logs.

Usually when broadcast/multicast filtering is enabled for the ethernet the data thoughput of the access point is reduced by 30-40% due to the filtering being performed by software.
Why don't you try to disable this and monitor the AP behavior.

Good Luck !!!

Re: 420 AP Problem

Simon Batts — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 03:03:22 GMT

Disabling the Filters makes no difference I'm afraid. The Ethernet point on various 420's still stop responding for several minutes at a time.

A Netgear Wireless AP on the Network will work fine.

Re: 420 AP Problem

Mohieddin Kharnoub — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 02:14:04 GMT

Hi

More info about your setup will help us narrow the issue with you.

You may have some firewall installed or a security configuration on your switch or this kind of things.

Try to explain more, like where the APs connected ? do you have any security box ?
Attach a configuration file for the switch you connect to AP to.

Good Luck !!!

Re: 420 AP Problem

Simon Batts — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 03:23:01 GMT

Hi

The config for one of the switchs is attached.

There is no security box other than the redundant firewalls.

AP's are located in various points around the Hospital site.

Re: 420 AP Problem

Matt Hobbs — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 21:45:53 GMT

Due to the size of your VLAN it's likely that there are times of exessive broadcast/multicasts that may be causing this problem. It seems that enabling the filtering feature on the 420 has not helped so I would strongly recommend you configure a new VLAN for wireless devices only.

Re: 420 AP Problem

Mohieddin Kharnoub — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 22:25:19 GMT

Hi

A new Vlan is a good suggestion, at least you will keep the wireless traffic in one group.

You have enabled the fault-finder for the switch and kept the broadcast-storm on a high sensitivity.

You can give it a try to make the Fault-Finder sensitivity on Medium for a testing while, and keep an eye on the Ethernet port of your AP.

If you want to debug this issue, run Ethereal on your computer, make your ehternet port a monitoring port, then select one of the ports for the AP as a monitored port,
run the Ethereal based on a filter of broadcast (and multicast if you want), keep it running, and i'm sure you will be having a good time there :)

Good Luck !!!