SBS-1 Ethernet problem/query

[DaveReid]

I have an elderly SBS-1eR which I set up for raw data capture for a project in my (then) day job about 10-12 years ago.  It's been running pretty well continuously ever since in a dusty corner of my home office though, now retired, I rarely look at the data unless I know of something noteworthy that's been happening in local airspace, otherwise the captured data gets deleted after a few weeks to reclaim the disk space.

About a month ago I got back from holiday to find that the data capture had stopped while I was away.  Investigation showed that the SBS had stopped talking to the PC via the Ethernet link.

The SBS itself still works fine via USB, but no amount of troubleshooting (different PC, different NIC, different crossover cable, etc) has been able to get the PC to talk to the box's Ethernet port.

My (rather rusty) understanding of wired Ethernet suggests that a powered-up SBS connected via a serviceable cable should show up in Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections as "unidentified network" and should be pingable.  Instead, whether the SBS is plugged in or not, I'm seeing "Network cable unplugged".

It may be significant that I get only one, not two, green lights on the Ethernet receptacle on the back of the SBS when the cable is plugged in.

It's beginning to look like the Ehernet module inside the SBS has developed a fault.  I'd welcome any additional troubleshooting suggestions, but I'd also appreciate it if anyone who's still using an SBS-1e or –eR connected direct to a PC via a crossover cable could tell me if they see one or two green lights on the box's Ethernet port when it's working.

MTIA
Dave

[Anmer]

It's beginning to look like the Ehernet module inside the SBS has developed a fault. 

I've recently "seen" a couple of SBS-1eR with failed Ethernet modules.  They're not infallible after all!

[Anmer]

I'd also appreciate it if anyone who's still using an SBS-1e or –eR connected direct to a PC via a crossover cable could tell me if they see one or two green lights on the box's Ethernet port when it's working.

I've just ordered a crossover cable and will report back when it's arrived and I've tested the setup.

[Faramir]

...but I'd also appreciate it if anyone who's still using an SBS-1e or –eR connected direct to a PC via a crossover cable could tell me if they see one or two green lights on the box's Ethernet port when it's working.

The two LEDs on an Ethernet connector are for the Link status (steady while connected) and data transfer (blinking).
The Link LED should be on when the unit is connected to the computer whether it's sending data or not. The blinking LED signals data being transferred. If the link LED does not illuminate when the cable is connected to the running computer either the cable is defective or the interface itself has failed.

Cheers,
John

[DaveReid]

Thanks for the responses - I was only reading (elsewhere) a few days ago about how reliable the Lantronix interfaces were .  At least I can still use USB.

Frustratingly, I can tell from the capture file exactly when (to the nearest second) the Ethernet module failed, with the throughput plummeting from not far short of 1000 packets per second to zero in an instant.

Oh, well ...

[Anmer]

It's beginning to look like the Ehernet module inside the SBS has developed a fault.  I'd welcome any additional troubleshooting suggestions, but I'd also appreciate it if anyone who's still using an SBS-1e or –eR connected direct to a PC via a crossover cable could tell me if they see one or two green lights on the box's Ethernet port when it's working.

Hi Dave

Cross over Ethernet cable just arrived.  Plugged it into PC Ethernet port and SBS-1eR.  Powered via DC supply at 9 volts.  No Ethernet lights.

One question.  If you connect the SBS-1eR directly to the PC, what IP address/port do you use in Basestation?

[DaveReid]

Hi Dave

Cross over Ethernet cable just arrived.  Plugged it into PC Ethernet port and SBS-1eR.  Powered via DC supply at 9 volts.  No Ethernet lights.

One question.  If you connect the SBS-1eR directly to the PC, what IP address/port do you use in Basestation?

Thanks for the update.

All the years the SBS-1eR has been working, until its recent sudden failure, it's been configured with the default IP address/port of 192.168.1.170:10001, connected to a dedicated network card in the PC.  Both BaseStation and SBS1xxx have been configured to use that address/port without any problem (not at the same time, obviously).

In due course I'll probably replace the faulty SBS-1eR with an SBS-3 that I have kicking around somewhere.

[Anmer]

Thanks Dave.

I did try with the default IP address and port but Basestation wasn't connecting, neither to an SBS-1eR nor SBS-3, both of which have working Ethernet devices.

Might try again with a longer crossover cable.

[DaveReid]

Thanks Dave.

I did try with the default IP address and port but Basestation wasn't connecting, neither to an SBS-1eR nor SBS-3, both of which have working Ethernet devices.

Might try again with a longer crossover cable.

Out of interest, what is the status of that network interface in Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections, with and without the SBS(s) connected?

[Anmer]

Out of interest, what is the status of that network interface in Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections, with and without the SBS(s) connected?

A longer crossover cable is due to arrive today.  Will report back when I have it installed.

[Anmer]

Sorry for the late response.

Plugged in a longer crossover cable but still no joy.

Attached screenshots.

1 No SBS-1eR connected
2 SBS-1eR connected - initially
3 SBS-1eR connected - after a few seconds.

Please let me know if you want me to test anything else?

[attachment deleted reduce file load]

[DaveReid]

Thanks for that.

I see the same sequence with my SBS-3.  With my SBS-1eR (same PC, same cable), I don't get beyond the "Network cable unplugged".

That pretty well confirms I've got a duff Ethernet port on the eR.

[Anmer]

I see the same sequence with my SBS-3.  With my SBS-1eR (same PC, same cable), I don't get beyond the "Network cable unplugged".

That pretty well confirms I've got a duff Ethernet port on the eR.

But both my SBS-1eR and SBS-3 perform similarly even though their Ethernet ports are working normally when connected to my local network.

Does the PC's Ethernet adapter need configuring differently when using a crossover cable?

[Oblivian]

Yes.
The default action is DHCP request - no response from a router dishing out addresses = 'unidentified network'

You'll need to go properties, edit the IPv4 settings and fix an IP address in the same range.

IE 192.168.1.100 / 255.255.255.0

(if you are certain the SBS is locked at .170)

That should then allow you to connect via IP (gateway etc is not needed)

[DaveReid]

I see the same sequence with my SBS-3.  With my SBS-1eR (same PC, same cable), I don't get beyond the "Network cable unplugged".

That pretty well confirms I've got a duff Ethernet port on the eR.

But both my SBS-1eR and SBS-3 perform similarly even though their Ethernet ports are working normally when connected to my local network.

Does the PC's Ethernet adapter need configuring differently when using a crossover cable?

No, no reconfiguration required.

For example my SBS-3 works equally well when connected direct to the PC (with a crossover cable) or plugged into my router (with a straight-through cable).