Network Connectivity dropped.. when my linux server idle or something

[bayeon]

I have 2 linux webserver running Apache and one regular windows PC sitting on the same switch running static IP address.
Something happened and I lost connection to either one or both of the linux server, the activities on the system seems ok, no Denial of Service attack, no ping to death trace. When lost connectivity to the linux server, I cannot ping the linux server from any external IP address.

If I reboot the linux server, connectivity will resume, and users can access the linux webserver, but that will never stay long, external connection to the server will go down again after 5-10 minutes, and it will stay down until...... I reboot the machine... or when I do a ping to the linux webserver from that windows PC on the same switch, OR I do a ping from the Linux server itself to an outside IP address, or www. if I stopped pinging, the connectivity will go down after a few minutes.

So the only to make my server stay connected, so my users can connect to it, is by doing a constant ping from my linux webserver to my router. or Pinging my webserver from the windows PC that is on the same switch.

The system have been up and running for the pass 6-8 months with no such problems.

I need some help. Please.

 

[smah]

The first thing that comes to mind is: have you done a bios update before this started? - maybe an updated bios enabled a power saving feature by default.

 

[bayeon]

I have not done any bios upgrade. And my server do not go into hibernation or sleep mode, I think the only think it does is the monitor turn itself off.

 

[manarth]

when you say you "lose network connectivity" what connection drops?
e.g. you can no longer PING the server, you can no longer access the server's website(s), etc.

"When lost connectivity to the linux server, I cannot ping the linux server from any external IP address."

Does this mean you can ping the server in the LAN, but not from a PC on the internet?


btw, I'm guessing this is your network setup:

ISP --- Modem --- Router --- Switch --- PCs

Is there any DHCP enabled? are the static IPs you refer to public or private (LAN)?

If you still need help, post back with some more info, and we may be able to track the prob further...good luck!


<marc> i wonder what will happen if i press this...[ul][li]please give feedback on what works / what doesn't[/li][li]need some help? how to get a better answer: faq581-3339[/li][/ul]

 

[bayeon]

Thanks for replying guys.

When I lose network connection, I cannot ping the linux server or access the website, from any other network. BUT, if ping or access the website from a PC on the same network/switch, then everything starts working again. Meaning, I can access the website or ping the webserver from anywhere, but it but will loose both function after a few minutes.

Unless I do a constant ping from the webserver to an external IP address, or I do a constant ping from a PC on the same network to that webserver, then the webserver will stay connected.

To answer your question:
Does this mean you can ping the server in the LAN, but not from a PC on the internet?
Yes and no, if I do it in such a way, ping the server in the LAN, after that I can ping the server from a PC on the internet, somehow the ping within the LAN triggers the connection again.
But after the connection went down, if I ping from a PC on the internet it will not work, but it will if I ping it from the LAN where the server resides.

No DHCP setup. But we did put a DHCP firewall in 2 days ago. The static IP address are public.

 

[bayeon]

But I took out the netscreen-5XT with DHCP server the same day, I put it in for test.

 

[manarth]

Could you clarify, is this your setup?

ISP --> modem --> switch --> PCs OR
ISP --> modem --> router --> switch --> PCs

And both your WAN addresses and LAN addresses are static?
Is the router providing full IP passthrough, or NAT?

It sounds like after a period of inactivity, your modem / router / switch is blocking external access. A ping from inside wakes the misbehaving device up again. It doesn't sound like a config prob on the PCs themselves.
Have you tried upgrading the devices' firmware?

One more thought: have you checked any &quot;dialup connection settings&quot; (as appropriate for your model modem)...check to see if there's a &quot;disconnect if idle for xx minutes&quot; option.

Good luck.

<marc> i wonder what will happen if i press this...[ul][li]please give feedback on what works / what doesn't[/li][li]need some help? how to get a better answer: faq581-3339[/li][/ul]

 

[bayeon]

The problem seems to disappear, well I should say I do not know what I change to make it work again, I swap out the switch, the cables, etc. But thanks for the info guys!

 

[lalitsharma2311]

Hi !

I think there is problem with your server IP & subnet ( if No DHCP )kindly check it and if possible try to change IP of ur linux server machine.
I think problem will be resolved.

Regards,