Network Problem

[Jaco Barkhuizen]

At one of my clients the network card stopped working. I then installed a new network card, but since then when she opens the accounting program from the server, it loads extremely slow. (All the other computers are still working at the proper speed). I've installed a different make network card, still the same. I've now tried another computer at the same desk, loaded everything from scratch and after a day it does the same thing.

I've used another computers network lead, still the same, I tried a different wall connection, still the same.

Can someone please help me solve this problem. Thank you.

[Martin P.J. Zinser]

Hello Jaco,

could you please clarify the operating system you are running on this PC? I ask for two reasons, first what tools could be used to dig down on this depends on the OS used and second the forum you are asking in is about the Linux OS. In case you might use some sort of Windows, you will be better of asking over in their forum at

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/familyhome.do?familyId=116

Having said that, quite often behaviour like the one you report is caused by mismatched network settings on the PC vs. the switches/routers. Try to disable autonegotiation on the PC and force the card to whatever your network expects.

Greetings, Martin

[John Collier]

Jaco,

I have to agree with Martin to a degree. The first thought that came to my mind was a duplex mis-match between the NIC and the hub/switch. That would be the first place I would suggest looking.

The next thing that I would look at would be the network cable it's self. Although it's somewhat rare, it is possible to cause some damage to the cable in the process of moving it from connector to connector. You might try replacing the cable if you have access to the entire run and have an extra available.

These suggestions would apply no matter what the Operating System is. It's the details on exactly how to fix the problem that could be different if it turns out to be something other than a hardware issue.


Let us know,
John


PS. I notice that this is your first post on our forums. Welcome!

[unknown_6 · Accepted solution]

Greetings,
After years of working on networks, the
situation has a resemblance to an induction
problem. Those mysterious network failures that
don't seem to have any "good reason" for
occuring. You mught want to have a look to see
if any cables with a fair amount of electricity
are anywhere near that workstations NIC
cabling. I just thought I'd mention it, as it
is an often too easily overlooked situation.
Tho I would also agree that speed negotiation
is also a strong contender.

Best of luck to you!

[Steven E. Protter]

More than likely there are drivers from the old network card interfering with the drivers from the new one.

Sometimes Linux doesn't recognize there is a new NIC card if the new is similr to the old.

You need to with the hardware browser identify and eliminate settings for the old network hard, and perhaps the new as well. Then boot and the kudzu(bad spelling) tool will detect, start you out fresh and the problem should be resolved.

Also, the MAC address of the old card may be in the ifcfg files in /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts directory. It needs to be removed from all entries, because its no longer valid.

You don't need the MAC address in thse files anyway.

SEP
Jerusalem

[Jaco Barkhuizen]

Thanx for all your assistance.