Switch keeps locking up, even after replacing it

[Modify_inc]

I have 9 devices connected to my 16-port switch, including my laptop for testing. The switch then connects directly to my router about two feet from it. The problem is the switch will lock up or cause all my devices connected to it to lose network connectivity. This is verified by me continuously pinging the internet from my laptop while connected to the switch, plus I get the dreaded yellow exclamation mark on my network icon. When this happens, I can power cycle the switch and everything starts working again, BUT, within 1 to 2 mins, it will do it again.

To troubleshoot, I have connected each device separately to the switch to isolate which device or cable could be causing the issue. Shockingly, I found 6 of the 9 devices would cause the switch to fail or hang. Only 3 devices work without issue: my test laptop, and two credit card machines. So, before you say it must be the 6 devices and/or their network cables, these same devices and cables work just fine when connected directly to the router. They never lose internet or lock up the router; it’s only when any one of those 6 devices are connected to the switch, does the switch lock up. Also, what would be the chance I have 6 faulty devices or cables at the same time, but then they couldn’t be failing if they work fine in the router.

Anyhow, I figured it was likely a faulty switch, so I swapped it out, even using a different brand. Same issue, so I swapped the router, even used a different brand, and still also the same problem. I just don’t know, I’m really scratching my head on this one. Any suggestions or thoughts?

[brwainer]

What are the 6 devices that cause an issue? What you’re describig sounds like either a loop or multicast/broadcast spam.

[Dujith]

Have you run wireshark to see what happens if you connect one of the 6 devices causing the issue? It might be cables and the router has 100mb were as the switch has 1gb?

Some more specs would be handy

[Lurick]

2 minutes ago, brwainer said:

What are the 6 devices that cause an issue? What you’re describig sounds like either a loop or multicast/broadcast spam.

This is what comes to mind as well. The router might be able to stop the broadcast storm or just blackhole the packets causing it while the switch doesn't have the smarts to detect and stop it.

Models of the routers and switches would help too.

[factorialandha]

I second the question around the models used. to determine the specs of the switch itself, also running wireshark to see what traffic gets broadcast when plugging in a device.

 

Also how are your devices allocated ip addresses? could some weird ip address conflict be causing issues between the router and the switch ? 

[Modify_inc]

I

11 minutes ago, Dujith said:

Have you run wireshark to see what happens if you connect one of the 6 devices causing the issue? It might be cables and the router has 100mb were as the switch has 1gb?

Some more specs would be handy

I'm going to run wireshark later today. Not sure how if the router is 100mb and the switch is 1gb would be an issue. Wouldn't the switch just adjust or transfer at 100mb for compatibility?

[Dujith]

1 minute ago, Modify_inc said:

I

I'm going to run wireshark later today. Not sure how if the router is 100mb and the switch is 1gb would be an issue. Wouldn't the switch just adjust or transfer at 100mb for compatibility?

More likely the multicast/broadcast issue. 

What i meant was if the wiring is bad you will have more issues with 1gb then a 100mb connection.

[Modify_inc]

16 minutes ago, Lurick said:

This is what comes to mind as well. The router might be able to stop the broadcast storm or just blackhole the packets causing it while the switch doesn't have the smarts to detect and stop it.

Models of the routers and switches would help too.

I will have them by the end of the day. I do remember the new switch is a Linsksy 16-port, and the old router was a TP-Link. These were bought at Walmart

[Modify_inc]

Just now, Dujith said:

More likely the multicast/broadcast issue. 

What i meant was if the wiring is bad you will have more issues with 1gb then a 100mb connection.

Ok, I see. Though what are the chances of having 6 bad cables at the same time?

[Dujith]

Just now, Modify_inc said:

Ok, I see. Though what are the chances of having 6 bad cables at the same time?

You would be suprised

 

[Falconevo]

Sounds like a broadcast storm, best get WireShark up and start capturing