yellow light on hub problem

[tompoe1]

What are the steps to take to troubleshoot a possible loop in 2 computer network?

[jkint]

what exactly is this loop you're talking about? what problems are you having? when did they start? did you make any configuration changes about that same time? IP addresses on the machines? do either of them work?

-jon

[tompoe1]

I'm running SuSE7.1
using 3comhomeconnect hub
when I plug in cable from nic to hub, it's a constant yellow light. When I ping:
tompoe@aether:~ > ping 127.0.0.1
PING 127.0.0.1 (127.0.0.1): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 127.0.0.1: icmp_seq=0 ttl=255 time=0.207 ms
64 bytes from 127.0.0.1: icmp_seq=1 ttl=255 time=0.114 ms
64 bytes from 127.0.0.1: icmp_seq=2 ttl=255 time=0.122 ms
--- 127.0.0.1 ping statistics ---
3 packets transmitted, 3 packets received, 0% packet loss
round-trip min/avg/max = 0.114/0.147/0.207 ms
tompoe@aether:~ > ping 192.168.1.2
PING 192.168.1.2 (192.168.1.2): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 192.168.1.2: icmp_seq=0 ttl=255 time=0.203 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.2: icmp_seq=1 ttl=255 time=0.123 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.2: icmp_seq=2 ttl=255 time=0.121 ms
--- 192.168.1.2 ping statistics ---
3 packets transmitted, 3 packets received, 0% packet loss
round-trip min/avg/max = 0.121/0.149/0.203 ms
tompoe@aether:~ >

Tom

[thread_killer]

First step.....and I know this may sound stupid, but I've seen it too many times not to ask.

Are you plugging into the hub with a straight through or a cross over cable?

[jkint]

I'm guessing that you're unable to ping 192.168.1.1?

verify that you're using a patch(straight through) cable from PC to hub, and/or you're not connected to the hub's uplink port.

also, make sure that the second computer has the correct network settings. IE: IP 192.168.1.1 netmask 255.255.255.0

[tompoe1]

I'm using cat5 and I checked against known good cable.

I am thinking I need to follow packets to the hub, but don't know what or how to do that. I ran a search on the web, but didn't see anything that went beyond going back to step 1 and starting over.

The other box set up with RH8.0, has connection with green light, and doesn't seem to be in trouble.

Tom

[jkint]

ok... SuSE 7.1 has IP address of 192.168.1.2/24
Redhat 8.0 box has IP address of 192.168.1.1/24

right? have you tried changing ports on the hub?

if you sit down at the RH box, can you ping 192.168.1.2?

[tompoe1]

jkint: I set default gateway to 192.168.1.221, and cannot ping it:
tompoe@aether:~ > ping 192.168.1.221
PING 192.168.1.221 (192.168.1.221): 56 data bytes
--- 192.168.1.221 ping statistics ---
4 packets transmitted, 0 packets received, 100% packet loss
tompoe@aether:~ > ping 192.168.1.1
PING 192.168.1.1 (192.168.1.1): 56 data bytes
--- 192.168.1.1 ping statistics ---
4 packets transmitted, 0 packets received, 100% packet loss
tompoe@aether:~ >

Tom

[jkint]

where did you get a default gateway value of 192.168.1.221? generally, the default gateway is the first usable node address in the subnet. (in this case 192.168.1.1)

what is the IP address on your RH box? are you hooked up to a router that's NAT'ing your internet connection? or is this just a local network?

if you're at the redhat box, can you ping 192.168.1.2?

[tompoe1]

Hi, Jkint: setup:
SuSE 192.168.1.2
RH8 192.168.1.3

they can ping each other. 192.168.1.1 might be reserved for DNS? although I'm not using that. I'm using dialup ISP with DHCP to resolve names. The network shouldn't need to be connected to the internet, so I haven't set up a DNS server under 192.168.1.1.

When I had windows on the RH8.0 box, and used samba for filesharing, both ports were green. I'm not sure what I've done since I removed the windows box, and a few months later, am now hooking back up with RH8.0. I'm sure it was something weird at my end, but can't figure out where to look.
thanks,
Tom

[jkint]

if the boxes are able to ping eachother, you're systems are working fine.

forgive me for not thinking of this earlier.. it's a tad late. With windows, your 10/100 ethernet cards will usually auto negotiate speed and duplex mode with the switch/hub. I've had problems with a few linux distros and cards not correctly auto-negotiating speed and duplex mode for the NIC. that's probably why you're seeing the yellow light. something's running in 10mbps mode instead of 100

BTW, DNS can run on any box on any IP address you want it to. it's not required to be x.x.x.1

[tompoe1]

Hi, jkint: I came across that topic about negotiating and it didn't connect, but makes a lot of sense, with your input. Thanks!

Now, I know where I want to look. I truly appreciate your help.
Tom

[jkint]

np. glad to help
:D