Network Collisions

[Ted1]

I am experiencing significant collisions on a 100BaseT network when just one Wintel computer on the lan is recieving packets from a NT Server (4.0). As more computers are switched on more collisions occur. The nic on the server is set to auto the same as the workststion. I have connected the server to the 100baseT hub, workstation on the same hub, when only these two machine are on and communicating - still the same problem. I have set the server nic to 100 half duplex likewise the workstation every other device on the network turned of (bar the active equipment) - still the same problem. The server card is not chattering nor is the card on the workstation. I have swapped hubs (twice), still no resolution.

 

[CTR]

Remember to follow the OSI model for your LAN troubleshooting:

Layer 1. Check your cabling. Check it again. Bad cables can cause the symptoms you described.

Layer 2. Since you are using a hub make sure every NIC is set to either auto-negotiate duplex or half-duplex. I know you've done this but do it again.

Layer 3. Run a netmon or something to check out what kind of malformed packets are running around on your LAN.

I'm sure you will find the problem.

 

[Damaged]

Umm...hub. Half duplex. Collisions in the ethernet domain are normal in that physcial setup.

Want to eliminate them? Switched hub - full duplex.

 

[CTR]

True, collisions happen when you are using a hub. But collisions are not a normal occurrence when there are only a few hosts connected to the hub. And he noted "significant collisions."

 

[striker99]

what brand of hub are you using? I've seen some with 'issues'.

 

[CTR]

Also how do you know you are getting collisions?

 

[Damaged]

I'm not sure what the qualitative term "significant" really means here. Can you quantify the collision data please. Why? What you may see as significant may, in fact, be normal.

 

[Ted1]

Thanks for help, all!