Linksys losing connection on WAN port

[swordfish542]

Hi,
I have a Linksys BEFW11S4 V2 Wireless four-port router and notice that sometimes, the WAN Link light will flicker on and off and I will be unable to connect to the internet. The Linksys is connected to a Terayon Cable Modem. I only have one PC connected to the four port hub and have the most recent version of the Firmware from Linksys (V1.45) and have seen that the frequency of these flickerings have decreased, but have not been eliminated. I also notice that this situation occurs even if the PC is not on / connected. I also tried replacing the cable between the Linksys and the cable modem as well as using a different port - same thing.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.......SwordFish

 

[bcastner]

The link light is a fairly primitive in its demands: it just wants a decent electrical connection. Changing the cable seems like a good first step. I am assuming that you do not see any flickering on the other modem lights.

What I would do:

1. Order a new power adapter for the Linksys. It is free even if the device is out of warranty. You can do it online:

https://ssl.linksys.com/rma1.asp

You want the second option on the first page to do an RMA return of the power supply adapter. No proof of purchase required, no return of the old one needed.

2. If that does not improve things, replace the modem. Ask your ISP what are compatible modems, see if they will replace the modem, and as a final resort look to E-Bay or similar sites.

3. If that does not improve things, replace the router.

I do not think this is a firmware issue on the Linksys.

 

[nnayram]

try putting an auto-sense hub or switch in between the Terayon Cable Modem and linksys router

 

[eihtur]

swordfish,
btw, what is the exact model number of the modem that youre using? this network set up that you have, is it working before?



"imagination is more important than knowledge."

 

[swordfish542]

Hi...Thanks guys for replying...here's what I tried - I put in a request at Linksys for a new power supply and within two days (!) I got a new power supply for the Linksys router, but unfortunately, I still see the flickering in the connection on the WAN link.

As for the type of Terayon Cable Modem, I believe it is a Terayon ProSeries Cable modem (sorry there is no model numbers or anything on the device).

As for the AutoSensing switch, any suggestions on what is a good switch to look into? I thought that the WAN link should be autosensing on the Linksys?

Thanks again.......SwordFish542

 

[bcastner]

You can purchase any small 4/5 port hub, the linksys hub sells for less than US $20. The linksys router autonegotiates the speed and duplex setting on its LAN ports, on the WAN port the speed is limited to 10 mbs. Several modems have difficulties with their autonegotiation logic and fail either in speed and/or duplex settings to the linksys (and other companies) router WAN ports. The cheap switch fix lets the swith handle the autonegotiation task as an intermediary and can solve odd problems with the WAN ports of many routers in the case of many modems.

 

[bcastner]

But purchase the switch from a company with a liberal return policy. It could well not solve your problem. Please see my original thoughts on the matter.

 

[swordfish542]

Greetings...
I seemed to have finally fixed this issue. After chatting online with a representative from LinkSys, I was told to change the SSID from its default value (of linksys) to something else on both the router and on the PCs that connect to it wirelessly...and voila! No more WAN link disconnections between the router and the cable modem.

Thanks all......SwordFish542

 

[bcastner]

I am happy that helped, but for the life of me I cannot imagine how it would matter. The SSID is for communications between the router and wireless clients on the LAN side and has zero to do with the WAN connection to your modem.

However, if it is not broken now I surely would not recommend fixing it further.