Network Connectivity Consistently Drops
Hello,
For the last couple of days we have been experiencing more than the usual network lag.
I blocked some of the more bandwidth intensive websites, and this did not help. I then noticed that with my initial troubleshooting that a ping –t to my router (which is also my proxy server appliance), as well as my servers (domain controllers, print servers, etc) would show a periodic timeout. This would also be evident when I had remote desktop sessions to my servers, the session would have to reconnect itself.
All of my servers are connected into the same switch in our server room, which connect into our main switch which resides in data closet.
Pinging from anywhere in the building yields the same results. I have not found anything in the server logs indicating an issue. I had our proxy vendor run internal tests on our proxy/router, and it came back clean. I have replaced the switch in our server room & data closet. Replaced cables, used the alternate data drop for the connection between our servers and data closet, and the result remains the same.
Also, we are running Server 2008 R2 on all servers, clients are running a mixture of XP, vista & windows 7.
For the last couple of days we have been experiencing more than the usual network lag.
I blocked some of the more bandwidth intensive websites, and this did not help. I then noticed that with my initial troubleshooting that a ping –t to my router (which is also my proxy server appliance), as well as my servers (domain controllers, print servers, etc) would show a periodic timeout. This would also be evident when I had remote desktop sessions to my servers, the session would have to reconnect itself.
All of my servers are connected into the same switch in our server room, which connect into our main switch which resides in data closet.
Pinging from anywhere in the building yields the same results. I have not found anything in the server logs indicating an issue. I had our proxy vendor run internal tests on our proxy/router, and it came back clean. I have replaced the switch in our server room & data closet. Replaced cables, used the alternate data drop for the connection between our servers and data closet, and the result remains the same.
Also, we are running Server 2008 R2 on all servers, clients are running a mixture of XP, vista & windows 7.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
thanks for the replies, and let me mention I am not where i need to be with the networking skills.
When the problem first presented itself, nothing on our network had changed. It was after I switched out cables and switches.
Also, no spanning tree and our infrastructure is old and inexpensive. No logs from switches, most are generic trendnets.
When the problem first presented itself, nothing on our network had changed. It was after I switched out cables and switches.
Also, no spanning tree and our infrastructure is old and inexpensive. No logs from switches, most are generic trendnets.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
What I mean by this is I did not make any changes until there was a problem. After I noticed the pings dropping, I changed out switches and cables.
ASKER
Also, from our server room there is only one connection to the data closet.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
I had an issue years ago with a loop on a basic layer 2 switched network infrastructure.
All the floorsockets were patched into the distribution switches and someone had patched one floor socket into the one next to it to keep it tidy... sigh...
depending on how big your office is i would give this a check - look for floor sockets patched into the one next to it.
took me 2 weeks to uncover this nugget of info and after that the problems dissapeared.
all the best
G
All the floorsockets were patched into the distribution switches and someone had patched one floor socket into the one next to it to keep it tidy... sigh...
depending on how big your office is i would give this a check - look for floor sockets patched into the one next to it.
took me 2 weeks to uncover this nugget of info and after that the problems dissapeared.
all the best
G
ASKER
I am in 12 story building. We acquired more floors as time went on. Didnt have all 12 floors initially, so as we added we basically daisy chained floor to floor, then into main closet. I am in process of trying what small ball suggested, disconnecting everything except laptop and connection from server room. Will post results
Sounds like you created a loop by your statement of "daisy chained floor-to-floor then into main closet" I could be wrong though
ASKER
thanks for all the help. Unfortunately in our setup, everything is basically daisy chained floor to floor, as we acquired each floor at different times.
So I disconnected everything from main switch except our router and connection from switch where servers reside.
I then systematically swapped out the switch that controls each floor. Found problem on last floor :) Issue was actually being caused by the switch in our computer lab on bottom floor. Disconnected this, replaced switch in server room to be sure, and all is well.
thank you for all your help. And I will take this as a lesson in why you shouldnt daisy-chain your network.
So I disconnected everything from main switch except our router and connection from switch where servers reside.
I then systematically swapped out the switch that controls each floor. Found problem on last floor :) Issue was actually being caused by the switch in our computer lab on bottom floor. Disconnected this, replaced switch in server room to be sure, and all is well.
thank you for all your help. And I will take this as a lesson in why you shouldnt daisy-chain your network.
Does this seem to be related to a certain time of day each day or is at random?