169.254.xxx.xxx

[Jim Smith]

DSL modem connected to router, PC1 with valid IP address connected to router , router also connected to switch1 via Ethernet cable. PC2 connected to switch1. Release and renew of IP address on PC2 results in invalid IP address of 169.254.165.213. Depowered routers and modem, repowered, release/renew still assigns 169.254 IP address on PC2 PC1 can access Internet.

Switch1 connects to switch2, can't get PCs connected to switch2 to access Internet

The error message on all of the misbehaving PCs is 'Cannot find server or DNS error.'

[dpds68]

Give PC2 a static address in line with that of PC1 with the same subnet and default gateway the IP of the router

[G_Dem]

Whats the make and model of the router and switches?

Edit: The reason why I ask is to find out the correct ethernet cable you require to connect from the router to the switch. It might be that you require a crossover cable.

[Jim Smith]

Originally Posted by G_Dem

Whats the make and model of the router and switches?

Router LinkSys WRT54G V6, switch1 EDIMAX 5-port Fast Ethernet Switch, switch2 unknow manufacturer 8 Port 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet Switch.

There is more info in another topic posted by me in Networking with a title something like 'Cannot connect to Internet with DSL modem.'

The only reason PC1 is connected to the router and PC2 is connected to switch1 is for trouble shooting.

There are 10-12 PCs in the lab running off switch2 and hub1. Should I manually assign static IP address for them as well?

[dpds68]

Try one first .

Are you using Cross Cable between Switches also are you getting lights on the ports ?

[dpds68]

Also bypass Switch 2 and see if you get connected.

[Jim Smith]

Originally Posted by dpds68

Try one first .

Are you using Cross Cable between Switches also are you getting lights on the ports ?

We had a working network with regard to connecting to the Internet. Last Thursday someone removed the router and switch1 and their AC/DC adapters. Someone retrieved them. All I was trying to do was restore the network to its previous configuration.

The power light on Switch1 would not light, so a new switch was bought.

N.B. A PC had not originally been connected to either the router or switch1. I connected a PC to the router to see if I could access the Internet. I could not. I connected the PC to the DSL and could not access the Internet. Verizon claimed the problem was failure of a hardware component (DNS chip or gizmo) the PC. Sometimes I could access the internet in the PC to DSL modem configuration. Once when it had, I installed the router but could not get Pcs connected to switch2 to access the Internet.

Linksys claimed the router or the PC was the problem because we were unable to install the latest firmware on the router. So, I got a new router and eventually connected a different PC. Couldn't access the Internet, PC-DSL configuration. Verizon said it was because of a different MAC address and PERHAPS did something on their end. The connection now worked, PC to DSL modem.

I moved a PC and connected it to switch1. Get the 169.254 problem. The PCs connect to the router and to switch1 were once connected to the network via switch2.

The lights on the router come up as they should. The lights on the new switch1 come up as they should but the router to switch1 light never blinks. The Link/Activity lights on switch2 do not come on NOW.

I have run an Ethernet cable along the floor from the router to switch1 a couple of times to see if that would correct the problem. It didn't.

[Archangel122184]

Your EDIMAX 5-port Fast Ethernet Switch does not autosense uplink/downlink... you will have to use a crossover cable between it and the router. You will likely have to do the same between it and your unknown switch too.

[Jim Smith]

Originally Posted by Archangel122184

Your EDIMAX 5-port Fast Ethernet Switch does not autosense uplink/downlink... you will have to use a crossover cable between it and the router. You will likely have to do the same between it and your unknown switch too.

Thanks, I did not know this. Try again tomorrow. I will not run new cables through the ceiling with runs of 90' and 240.' I have trouble walking down a hallway. Which switch would you recommend to use my existing ethernet cables?

[Jim Smith]

Originally Posted by dpds68

Give PC2 a static address in line with that of PC1 with the same subnet and default gateway the IP of the router

Appreciate the response. I do not want to assign static IP addresses. Want to use DHCP. I do not understand why I can't. My ignorance is huge. I am a volunteer at a senior citizen center. I do not have the authority to do anything. The seniors can't access the Internet. I will get access restored one way or another. Period.

[G_Dem]

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

Appreciate the response. I do not want to assign static IP addresses. Want to use DHCP. I do not understand why I can't. My ignorance is huge. I am a volunteer at a senior citizen center. I do not have the authority to do anything. The seniors can't access the Internet. I will get access restored one way or another. Period.

That wouldn't work in this case anyway Jim. Whether you use dhcp or static on your current set up will not work because you are using a straight through ethernet cable. If you dont want to replace the ethernet cable look for a switch with autosensing ports. I'll have a look when I get a chance and post some examples.

[Jim Smith]

Originally Posted by G_Dem

That wouldn't work in this case anyway Jim. Whether you use dhcp or static on your current set up will not work because you are using a straight through ethernet cable. If you dont want to replace the ethernet cable look for a switch with autosensing ports. I'll have a look when I get a chance and post some examples.

I successfully connected with a different patch cable. I am sure it is a patch cable. Ends are the same.

[dpds68]

Check to see is the ends are arranged in the the same wire colour order if one end starts with the green pair and the other with the orange pair then it's a cross cable.