[yeewiz]

My home LAN of 3 PC's and one print server works just fine. However I have one slightly annoying problem with one PC.

My LAN consists of Netgear 4 port WGT624 router. Router also connects cable modem for internet access and all PCs can access the Internet. NO wireless is used.

One port on the router is patched to the cable to one room. In that room, a patch cable connects the wall RJ-45 to a NetGear FS108 Fast Ethernet switch. One PC is connected to this switch. Power to both the PC and the FS108 is controlled by a power strip and is turned off when not in use.

I have found, through trial and error, that when using dynamic DHCP address for this PC, I have to power up the FS108 for at least 20 minutes before I turn on the PC, in order to get an address and be connected to the LAN. If I use dedicated IP address for this PC, I only have to power up the FS108 for at about 5 minutes before I turn on the PC, in order to get my reserved address. Other PC's in other rooms do not have this problem. Oh yes, all PC's use Win ME.

My questions are:

1) other than leaving the FS108 powered on all the time, is there something else I can do to have immediate LAN access when powering up?

2) is the FS108 defective?

Thanks for your help!

Bob

[Advertisements]

yes you need to leave the switch on. when the switch is turned off the cache is cleared and it needs to "relearn" which MAC addresses are on which ports. since DHCP really operates at the MAC layer....by associating IP addresses to MAC addresses.

Besides which, in general you should always leave your computer equipment on, except for regular reboots and bad weather situations.

[brianmil0923]

yes you need to leave the switch on. when the switch is turned off the cache is cleared and it needs to "relearn" which MAC addresses are on which ports. since DHCP really operates at the MAC layer....by associating IP addresses to MAC addresses.

Besides which, in general you should always leave your computer equipment on, except for regular reboots and bad weather situations.

[yeewiz]

Thanks for the switch lesson. Appreciate the help.

[brianmil0923]

anytime