Draytek issue?

[ChrisTech]

Has anyone come across this problem before?

A telecom company has fitted Cat 5 cable in some offices, to a patch panel in a cabinet which contains a new Draytek router. The router has only 4 LAN ports, so we fitted an unmanaged switch between the patch panel and the router, but that's when the fun started.

Any computer which has a cable going into the switch instead of directly into the router, only gets 'unidentified network' in Windows 7 and 8. An 'ipconfig' on all computers shows that they receive an IP address in the correct range and show the correct DNS server addresses - but they cannot connect to the router.

They also show a 'Public' network but there's no option to change to Work or Home.

Have tried a brand new switch too, but still the same.

Am I missing something obvious or is this a Draytek thing?

Thanks.

 

[Markverhyden]

I have a vague recollection from long ago where a router would only allow as many connections as it had ports. Did you try to log into the router and see if there is some kind of setting related to that.

 

[ChrisTech]

Thanks for your reply Mark.

The company supplying the router told me that a switch would not be a problem.........

 

[GCS]

The switch might not, however there may be a problem with the number of seats on the device.

I've never worked with draytek but I have had routers or utms that wouldn't allow a switch in excess of say 25 users unless you purchased more seats or a more capable model.

I would plugin just one pc and see if it works, if so.. plug in another and so on until you hit your limit. If it works out that way then you might be software or hardware limited by the router.

 

[Martyn]

There is some information here about configuration that may help. At least you can check the settings to see if there is a restriction

http://www.draytek.co.uk/archive/kb_vigor_session_limit.html

 

[Markverhyden]

Thanks for your reply Mark.

The company supplying the router told me that a switch would not be a problem.........

No, a switch should not be an issue. But as mentioned there may be other things in play here including router settings. Also, what switch did you try? Uplink port?

 

[Kitten Kong]

Stupid question, as my networking skills are rubbish to say the least.

But what happens, if you plug the switch into the router, then the pc's into the switch?. So that the router is the first point of call.

 

[ChrisTech]

Stupid question, as my networking skills are rubbish to say the least.

But what happens, if you plug the switch into the router, then the pc's into the switch?. So that the router is the first point of call.

That's when the problem starts. Directly into the router seems okay but as soon as a switch is introduced in between the patch panel and the router, the computers cannot connect correctly, as described earlier.

 

[Kitten Kong]

I think your misunderstanding me Chris.

What I mean is patch >> router >> switch >> pc.

 

[ChrisTech]

Sorry if I'm misunderstanding you Nige, I can try this on Monday but I'm not sure how this will take things forward, as there's 10 PC's to be connected up.

At the moment it's patch panel > switch connected to a LAN port on the router.

 

[Kitten Kong]

How many ports are on the switch?. Am I mistaking the switch for a 24 port hub?. As I call hubs switches too.

 

[freedomit]

Were a Draytek partner and can have never had any issues like this before. What model Draytek? Is the Draytek doing the DHCP? Have you tried a factory reset on the Draytek?

 

[karloz]

Are there any firmware updates available for the Draytek? Can you temporarily try a different unmanaged switch to rule out the switch? What happens when you set static IP info? Weird one that!

 

[4ycr]

How long are the cables to the patch panel? I have had one where VoIP phone could not detect the network when plugged directly into the cable but add a cheap switch and it was fine. The switch might not be good enough to go over the cable length, I would try another even a smaller one just to check.

 

[ChrisTech]

How many ports are on the switch?. Am I mistaking the switch for a 24 port hub?. As I call hubs switches too.

10 port unmanaged switch

Were a Draytek partner and can have never had any issues like this before. What model Draytek? Is the Draytek doing the DHCP? Have you tried a factory reset on the Draytek?

I've left the paperwork onsite but I believe its a Vigor 2830Vn. It was installed by the telecom company so I'm deliberately avoiding going into it as they may try to point the finger at me!

Are there any firmware updates available for the Draytek? Can you temporarily try a different unmanaged switch to rule out the switch? What happens when you set static IP info? Weird one that!

I tried a brand new switch straight out of the box, no change. Also tried different cable and ports but no luck. There's one shared printer which I gave a static address, but the workstations are getting correct IP addresses and know the correct DNS server addresses, so the router appears to be passing some information on.

How long are the cables to the patch panel? I have had one where VoIP phone could not detect the network when plugged directly into the cable but add a cheap switch and it was fine. The switch might not be good enough to go over the cable length, I would try another even a smaller one just to check.

The cable lengths are well within limits as the building is fairly small.

I can only assume that something in the router is preventing the workstations from identifying the network correctly when they are connected via the switch, which is causing them to automatically go to 'unidentified' public network. No option to select 'Home' or 'Work' networks instead.

I appreciate your help folks.

 

[Markverhyden]

Telco owned? I would call them up and open a ticket. The problem is how the router is handling the switch device. I looked at the specs of the model you mentioned and it does have a lot of functions. But, from my experience, most of those devices do not have many functions enabled when initially deployed. So I doubt they are doing any fancy MAC address stuff. It sounds to me like this router has a problem.

 

[ChrisTech]

Update - it did turn out to be the Draytek router.

Many thanks for everyone's input - it's much appreciated.

 

[MobileTechie]

Update - it did turn out to be the Draytek router.

Many thanks for everyone's input - it's much appreciated.

What as in it won't work with more than 4 PCs?! That would appear to be crazy.

 

[ChrisTech]

What as in it won't work with more than 4 PCs?! That would appear to be crazy.

No, it needed a factory reset and afterwards worked as it should. Apparently it was straight out of the box so it's surprising that a reset was needed so soon.