28115 - Loopback Failure, Perpetual Reboot...

[silas]

I just got a BayNetworks 28115 for my house. I rigged up my own serial cable, got the management system up, updated the firmware from version 1.3 something to 2.1.1.3 (Latest). The switch seemed to work ok for awhile, but after hitting the power switch recently, when I turn it on now it goes through it's system tests: Everything passes until it hits the 10Mbit loopback test. This test apparently fails for ports 1-14. I physically set ports 1-14 to 100MBit/Half from the console. Ports 15 and 16 are set to 10Mbit/Half, and I don't get any errors on these two ports. Here's what I get on the serial console:

BayStack 28115 Fast Ethernet Switch
Power-up Diagnostics Version 2.1.1.3
Created: Nov 9 1998 04:06:31

System CPU test: PASSED
System memory test (2M): PASSED
Timer test: PASSED
Console port test: ..PASSED
Real-time clock test: PASSED
Watchdog timer test: PASSED
NVRAM test: (64K): PASSED
ABC test: PASSED
BANSHEE test: PASSED
EPIC test: PASSED
DMA test: PASSED
10MBPS Loopback test: Restart loopback on port 1
Restart loopback on port 1
Restart loopback on port 1
Restart loopback on port 1

Loopback Failed for 64 byte pkt, node: 1 error: PACKET VERIFICATIONRestart loopback on port 2
Restart loopback on port 2
Restart loopback on port 2
Restart loopback on port 2

...

Loopback Failed for 64 byte pkt, node: 13 error: PACKET VERIFICATIONRestart loopback on port 14
Restart loopback on port 14
Restart loopback on port 14
Restart loopback on port 14

Loopback Failed for
BayStack 28115 Fast Ethernet Switch
Power-up Diagnostics Version 2.1.1.3
Created: Nov 9 1998 04:06:31

--------

At the end there, it seems to get cut off and then it goes back to the "start" of it's diagnostics. It will do this cycle indefinitely.

Basically, at this point I have a large boat anchor. I can't find in the documentation how to get some form of I/O to the switch in this situation. I'm looking to get at the management console, but that's wishful thinking. I'm guessing I'm going to need to restore to factory defaults, somehow resetting the EEPROM and NVRAM. I noticed a jumper on the inside of the switch when I was cleaning it after I got it. I'm guessing that will restore it to factory defaults, but I'm hesitant to enable the jumber without verifying this.

Can anyone offer some advice? I'm getting worried that I'm stuck with a oversized paperweight.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[silas]

Update to my situation:

I took off the case, popped a jumper onto the motherboard and turned on the power, after crossing my fingers. It came up with what seemed to be a diagnostics screen on the serial port. I couldn't really modify anything from here, but after taking off the jumber, the switch was able to boot into the management software. However, I'm still getting the loopback failures on all 16 ports. When I go to configure the speeds, I get this:


BayStack 28115 Fast Ethernet Switch
System Up Time: 0D:0H:3M:54S IP Address: 192.168.1.5
MAC Address: 000081281824 Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Switch Software Version: 2.1.1.3 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0


Switch Port Speed and Duplex Mode
Port Speed (Mb/s) Duplex Mode Port Speed (Mb/s) Duplex Mode
1 [Failure] 9 [Failure]
2 [Failure] 10 [Failure]
3 [Failure] 11 [Failure]
4 [Failure] 12 [Failure]
5 [Failure] 13 [Failure]
6 [Failure] 14 [Failure]
7 [Failure] 15 [Failure]
8 [Failure] 16 [Failure]

As you can see, I can't modify any of the settings.

At this point I have a working console, so I'm going to try downgrading to 2.0.4.1 and see if that helps. Any suggestions would be appriciated. Thanks.

 

[thenetwraith]

I don't think your problem is in the ports themselves, but, a more central component.

These switches have a little known debug mode which may help a bit.

If I remember correctly the sequence to get into the debug mode is <crtl d> followed by <b> and <g>.

You might consider defaulting the switch to factory settings before debugging.

Since these switches have the individual ports on slot cards you may wish to remove the cards, blow out the slots with canned air and clean the edges of the cards with a PENCIL eraser. Just clear the oxide until the metal appears bright again. The cards may be inserted back in thier original locations or may be swapped for debugging purposes. *** Please note that the two on the side with the SCSI-II type ports are different and not interchangeable with the other 16.... ***

I may have repair parts for this switch if you can determine what is wrong....

Reply-to: netwraith@pcrd.net
thenetwraith (There is a picture here, but, you just can't see it!)

 

[SmartAss]

I have a similar switch, and have a loopback fail 9. I was wondering how can I get into the console? do I need any special cables or software?