Ping, but nothing else

[Carlitto]

I normally configure my network like this:

LAN (PC and Dreambox 600 via twisted cable)
Dreambox: ip 192.168.0.12
PC: ip 192.168.0.10
Netmask: 255.255.255.0
No DHCP

WLAN (PC and DSL modem/router via wireless)
PC: 192.168.2.2
Router: 192.168.2.1
Netmask: 255.255.255.0
No DHCP

Yes, this means that normally the Dreambox is not connected to the Internet. When I need to download something from the Dreambox, I momentarily change the network configuration, download and then set all back to normal.
I normally use Gemini, now with latest version 4.60.

Now, the problem. )(-red
Once every few days (or weeks), the dreambox stops responding to ftp, web and telnet requests (all at the same time). The ping *works*. Reboot and shutdown won't help. Changing network configuration (e.g. ip) won't help. Factory reset won't help.
I checked the daemons, and they seem to be running.
The only way I have found, at this point, is to flash a new image (even if it is the same image I already have). This works every time: the problem disappears. Up to the next time.
I really don't know what to do anymore.

Please help. :-worship

 

[Carlitto]

A correction: at this moment, not even the ping is working.
But according to windows, the LAN connection is present.

 

[mhku]

I'm not sure why you configure it on a different IP range. Twisted cable? Is that CAT5?

If your router is 192.168.2.1 why not set your Dreambox on the same range 192.168.2.12? I'm not going to google subnets etc. but that would seem the obvious setting and connect your router to the Dreambox with a CAT5 cable. If you want to remove it from the Internet just pull the network cable out- far easier than changing the communication setup page each time.

I also don't understand this setting you mention:

PC: ip 192.168.0.10

 

[Topper]

PC: ip 192.168.0.10

I agree mhku, according to the information given the o/p has two network connections on his PC using different IP's that would surprise me unless he has added a 2nd network card but I fail to understand any logical reason why he would do that unless he was using it as a sort of PC bridge linking two networks which I know can be done as I once did it myself back in the days of separate networking cards.

 

[Carlitto]

Initially I had tried having everything on the same subnet.
I had DB on 192.168.2.12, PC on 192.168.2.10, router on 192.168.2.1.
But if I do that, the internet connection of the PC becomes very unstable.
Someone recommended me to use 2 separate subnets, and I did.

Now, 192.168.0.10 is the fixed IP that I configured on the PC for the LAN with the Dreambox, why is it strange?

I don't know what CAT5 means, but I really think it is a software issue, since installing any image temporarily solves the issue.

 

[Carlitto]

given the o/p has two network connections on his PC using different IP's that would surprise me unless he has added a 2nd network card

I have a (onboard) LAN card where I put the twisted cable to DB, and I have a WLAN that connects the PC with the router. Clearly, with this configuration the Dreambox cannot connect to Internet, but that's ok. But I want that the PC can connect e.g. to the ftp server on the Dreambox.

 

[Topper]

But I want that the PC can connect e.g. to the ftp server on the Dreambox.

Yes we know and what we are saying is that you have to use the same series of IP addresses

192.168.0.12 DB
192.168.0.10 LAN
192.168.0.14 Wlan

when you do not want the DB to disconnect fromthe internet you disconnect the cable to the DB, that way you do not have to re-configure every time

 

[Carlitto]

I understand what you say, a single subnet. Someone else told me that if I have 2 LAN cards (or one LAN and one WLAN, in my case) it is better to have two subnets. In fact, setting everything on one subnet was disturbing PC's Internet connection.

But this is not my problem.
Let's make it simpler. I remove the WLAN, and I keep only a LAN, PC and Dreambox connected via a twisted cable.
For some days, I can connect to Dreambox via ftp, web, telnet. Then, at one point, all this stops working. Windows says that the machine is connected, and in fact I can install a new image. After that, all works again, until the next time...
Can you imagine a reason?

 

[compufunk]

When you say you can install a new image while you have this problem, how do you go about installing the image?

I would try looking into what is causing your dreambox to interfere with your internet connection in the first place, because this may be related to the problem you are experiencing with your LAN connection to the dreambox.

The LAN side where your dreambox is connected to the PC could be being jammed up by the dreambox. If this happened while it was directly connected to the router, you would probably experience connection problems. So, it may well be the same problem.

The only time I have heard of a dreambox causing problems on the LAN is when a card sharing CAM is causing problems. This is obviously not the case here because your dreambox is offline.

Basically, if you are not running CS, then your dreambox's LAN connection should be idle except for when you download plugins, EPG data etc.

There are lots of potential causes. Just because a fresh image install temporarily cures the problem, this doesn't rule out a hardware fault. It could be a hardware fault that only comes about under certain circumstances. I've seen this often with PC's.

Have you tried different images?

A few things to try while the problem is happening:
1: Disable the WLAN connection on the PC and reboot it. Then test your connection to the dreambox. This would help if there were any problems with network mapping on the PC. (I doubt it)

2: Still with the WLAN connection disabled. Enable DHCP on the Dreambox and the PC, connect both machines to the router (wired). Test to see if the Dreambox can connect to its plugin download server + test if you can connect to the dreambox from your PC.

Otherwise, download a network sniffer and get it sniffing on the Ethernet (LAN) card on your PC to see whats going on.

If you test these things, please report back with all settings for PC and Dreambox. (IP address, Gateway Address, DNS (Name Server) address at each step.

I have a hunch that when you test step 2, and if the problem is still persisting, you will find that the whole LAN including your router/internet connection will struggle to cope.

C

PS: CAT-5 is one type of twisted paired cabling.

Edit:
I didn't realize I had typed so much till I posted it. Time flies with a glass of wine

 

[Topper]

For some days, I can connect to Dreambox via ftp, web, telnet. Then, at one point, all this stops working. Windows says that the machine is connected, and in fact I can install a new image. After that, all works again, until the next time...
Can you imagine a reason?

You appear to be confusing IP address with subnet, the subnet begins 255.255.255.0
or 255.255.0.0, you keep the same ip range but change the subnet if I remember correctly, so
IP address subnet
192.168.0.12 DB 255.255.0.0
192.168.0.10 LAN 255.255.255.0
192.168.0.14 Wlan 255.255.255.0 or similar is what you should have

 

[Carlitto]

When you say you can install a new image while you have this problem, how do you go about installing the image?

I use DreamUp, connect null-modem cable, shutdown DB, unplug DB, replug DB, wait, then click on "Flash" button in DreamUp and select the image.

Have you tried different images?

I have tried several images, but with many of them I encounter a huge problem: after a while (minutes or hours) that I installed the image, I get a cryptic error message and the Dreambox shuts down. I planned to solve this problem later, I will post a separate message.

1: Disable the WLAN connection on the PC and reboot it. Then test your connection to the dreambox. This would help if there were any problems with network mapping on the PC. (I doubt it)

I tried these things, I spent several hours making experiments. Disable WLAN, insert the null modem, remove the null modem, shut down PC and Dreambox, I was never able to put the connection to work as I want it. Except with a new image.

2: Still with the WLAN connection disabled. Enable DHCP on the Dreambox and the PC, connect both machines to the router (wired). Test to see if the Dreambox can connect to its plugin download server + test if you can connect to the dreambox from your PC.

I cannot do exactly this test, because my modem/router only has one LAN slot. But there is another configuration that I can use even when the connection is not working.
I connect the PC via WLAN with the modem/router, and the Dreambox to the modem/router via a straight cable. I make this when I want the Dreambox to connect to the Internet and download CAMs or addon. Clearly, I set the ip address of all the items to 192.168.2.x. In this case, I don't encounter any problem, and I can access ftp, web, telnet. But I don't like this configuration, both because access from PC to Dreambox is much slower, because this involves having the LAN cable going through a door, because children regularly slam it and damage the cable, because wife risks falling etc. :-)

 

[mhku]

The PC has ICSinternet connection sharing) setup on it and the Dreambox is connected to the PC using a crossover cable?

Can you post the cryptic message? When the error occurs have you checked the log files (Event Viewer) on the PC? Do you have a firewall?

Can you connect it directly to your router? If yes, when it appears not to work can you try connecting it and do an addon download? Have you tried rebooting the PC at this time as well?

 

[Carlitto]

The PC has ICSinternet connection sharing) setup on it and the Dreambox is connected to the PC using a crossover cable?

Can you post the cryptic message? When the error occurs have you checked the log files (Event Viewer) on the PC? Do you have a firewall?

I would not consider this issue right now. I cannot reproduce right now, because I have a Gemini which does not cause any problem. But yes, this will be my next question if I can ever sort out this one.

Can you connect it directly to your router? If yes, when it appears not to work can you try connecting it and do an addon download? Have you tried rebooting the PC at this time as well?

Yes, if I connect the Dreambox directly to the router all works. Dreambox can connect to Gemini server and download cams and other addons. Connecting the PC to the router I can telnet/ftp/web to the Dreambox. And this works even when the Dreambox decides not to work when connected directly. But I don't like this configuration, I would like to have the Dreambox connected to the PC both because of speed and because I don't want a cable going from Dreambox to router.

******************************************************

Now, I think we have put too many variables in my original description.
Let me restate my problem, discarding some sources of confusion.
I can remove the WLAN, the router, the Internet.
I have a Dreambox and a PC, connected by a twisted cable. For some days or weeks, the PC can connect to Dreambox via ftp/web/telnet. At a certain point, the Dreambox decides not to accept these connections anymore. Still, Windows should the "connected" icon.
When this happens, nothing helps: shutdown of the PC and Dreambox, "repair" of the LAN connection on the PC/ The only thing that can restore the situation is reinstalling the image on the Dreambox: this always works (until the next time).

Thanks to all for the huge amount of help you are giving

 

[compufunk]

Windows says that the machine is connected, and in fact I can install a new image. After that, all works again, until the next time...

Just to clear one thing up for you. You say you are flashing with a Null modem cable, you are not using your network connection in this case so this has no bearing on your problem. I assume you remove the null modem cable once flashing is complete?

Given all you have said above, I still think that the two problems you have (Dreambox slows internet connection + cant connect to dreambox) are related, be they hardware or software problems.

Have you tried installing a network packet sniffer to see whats going on?

 

[mhku]

How much space is left in /var ?

blue panel > addons > setup

Not sure if it's available for the DM600 but have you tried enabling the option "Enable network fix" in Expert Setup.

I can't remember where the option to view it is but have you compare the running processes when it works to when it doesn't work? You can telnet in and do a ps -ef but there is also an option on the Dreambox to show running processes.

Might be worth enabling Sys/ Kernel Log in Extra/ Settings to see if any useful messages are generated, if this option exists for the 600.

 

[Carlitto]

Just to clear one thing up for you. You say you are flashing with a Null modem cable, you are not using your network connection in this case so this has no bearing on your problem. I assume you remove the null modem cable once flashing is complete?
Have you tried installing a network packet sniffer to see whats going on?

When flashing I connect both cables. Data travels through LAN: in fact, it is very fast. If the data went through the null modem, it would take ages.
When finished, sometimes I disconnect the null modem, sometimes I leave it on, does this make difference?
I never used a packet sniffer, I don't think I have enough knowledge to use it.

 

[Carlitto]

How much space is left in /var ?

blue panel > addons > setup

Free: 12M Used: 57%

Not sure if it's available for the DM600 but have you tried enabling the option "Enable network fix" in Expert Setup.

I can't remember where the option to view it is but have you compare the running processes when it works to when it doesn't work? You can telnet in and do a ps -ef but there is also an option on the Dreambox to show running processes.

Might be worth enabling Sys/ Kernel Log in Extra/ Settings to see if any useful messages are generated, if this option exists for the 600.

There is a checkbox called "Enable network" in communication setup, is that the one you refer to?

I run ps-ef. Output is below. As soon as connection stops working, I will try to do it with the menu of the Dreambox.

PID Uid VmSize Stat Command
1 root 616 S init [2]
2 root SWN [ksoftirqd/0]
3 root SW< [events/0]
4 root SW< [khelper]
5 root SW< [kthread]
13 root SW< [kblockd/0]
42 root SW [pdflush]
43 root SW [pdflush]
45 root SW< [aio/0]
44 root SW [kswapd0]
46 root SW [cifsoplockd]
47 root SW [cifsdnotifyd]
117 root SW [kseriod]
146 root SW [mtdblockd]
157 root SWN [jffs2_gcd_mtd3]
175 root SW [kjournald]
196 root SW< [fe_thread]
573 root 728 S /usr/sbin/dropbear -r /etc/dropbear/dropbear_rsa_host
582 root 676 S /usr/sbin/inetd
848 root 676 S /bin/sh /usr/bin/enigma.sh
949 root 532 S /usr/bin/gdaemon
961 root 15692 S /usr/bin/enigma
962 root 15692 S N /usr/bin/enigma
963 root 15692 S /usr/bin/enigma
964 root 15692 S N /usr/bin/enigma
969 root 15692 S /usr/bin/enigma
995 root 15692 S N /usr/bin/enigma
1120 root 15692 S N /usr/bin/enigma
1125 root 552 S telnetd
1126 root 916 S -sh
1132 root 808 R ps -ef
root@dm600pvr:~>

 

[Carlitto]

BTW, going round the menues I found out that I have no swap file enabled. May this be a reason for problems?
Do you normally create swapfiles on the hard disk, and if yes, how big?

 

[compufunk]

When flashing I connect both cables. Data travels through LAN: in fact, it is very fast. If the data went through the null modem, it would take ages.
When finished, sometimes I disconnect the null modem, sometimes I leave it on, does this make difference?
I never used a packet sniffer, I don't think I have enough knowledge to use it.

Yes the network connection is used in this case, but the point is that the image on flash is erased using the null modem cable, meaning you already have a clean / reset connection by the time it begins to load the image via the network cable.

Ethersnoop is simple to use, you'll find it here.
_http://www.arechisoft.com/

1: Tell it which network interface to listen
2: click the play button to start sniffing.
View attachment 20429

If there is any activity on that interface it will begin to log it. Basically, there should be little or no activity when you are not using FTP, Telnet etc on the dreambox.

You could save the log and post it here if you like, there wont be any sensitive info there.

BTW, going round the menues I found out that I have no swap file enabled. May this be a reason for problems?
Do you normally create swapfiles on the hard disk, and if yes, how big?

This is optional and unrelated, I've never run anything on the DM600 that would have required a swap file to be enabled,