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Network Question

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  Network Question RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> - 2014-03-08 10:17 +0000
    Re: Network Question RS Wood <rsw@therandymon.com> - 2014-03-08 10:22 +0000
      Re: Network Question RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> - 2014-03-08 11:19 +0000
    Re: Network Question Tim Watts <tw_usenet@dionic.net> - 2014-03-08 13:09 +0000
      Re: Network Question RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> - 2014-03-09 21:19 +0000
        Re: Network Question Tim Watts <tw_usenet@dionic.net> - 2014-03-09 22:43 +0000
    Re: Network Question Lewis <g.kreme@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> - 2014-03-08 20:15 +0000
      Re: Network Question RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> - 2014-03-09 21:25 +0000

#1367 — Network Question

I've just installed some cat6 cable in my house - thought I might as 
well while the plasterers were in. I used /some/ common sense, but some 
cables were routed near mains cables and I wired the wall sockets 
myself. So some margin for error ;-)

All works, and I've checked continuity with a cheap cable tester.

Transferring big files is OK - about 1GB/min. Internet works fine - 
50Mbps over ehternet, about the same with wireless enabled.

However, playing video (say, 1GB avi rips) through the Mac Mini/VLC from 
the NAS results in freezing every 10 minutes or so. Same file stored on 
the Mac Mini plays fine. I'm not sure if this is a fault with the 
network. It's wired like this:

http://flic.kr/p/kPnozh

Any clues appreciated.

-- 
Cheers, Rob

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#1368

On 2014-03-08, RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
> However, playing video (say, 1GB avi rips) through the Mac Mini/VLC
> from the NAS results in freezing every 10 minutes or so. Same file
> stored on the Mac Mini plays fine. I'm not sure if this is a fault
> with the network. It's wired like this:
>
> http://flic.kr/p/kPnozh
>
> Any clues appreciated.
>

Are you using a decent router?  I was having network problems that
eventually boiled down to a failing router, and replacing it helped
immensely.

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#1369

On 08/03/2014 10:22, RS Wood wrote:
> On 2014-03-08, RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
>> However, playing video (say, 1GB avi rips) through the Mac Mini/VLC
>> from the NAS results in freezing every 10 minutes or so. Same file
>> stored on the Mac Mini plays fine. I'm not sure if this is a fault
>> with the network. It's wired like this:
>>
>> http://flic.kr/p/kPnozh
>>
>> Any clues appreciated.
>>
>
> Are you using a decent router?  I was having network problems that
> eventually boiled down to a failing router, and replacing it helped
> immensely.
>

It's a BT Hub5. Not sure how that rates.

I've just realised I drew the diagram incorrectly:

http://flic.kr/p/kPqyrK

The Mac Mini video goes via a Gb port on the router. That's because 
there's only one Ethernet connection in that room. I could of course 
isolate the router as cause by connecting the Mini direct to the NAS . . .

If it works, though, how best to connect the BT Hub . . .

-- 
Cheers, Rob

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#1371

On 08/03/14 10:17, RJH wrote:
> I've just installed some cat6 cable in my house - thought I might as
> well while the plasterers were in. I used /some/ common sense, but some
> cables were routed near mains cables and I wired the wall sockets
> myself. So some margin for error ;-)
>
> All works, and I've checked continuity with a cheap cable tester.
>
> Transferring big files is OK - about 1GB/min. Internet works fine -
> 50Mbps over ehternet, about the same with wireless enabled.
>
> However, playing video (say, 1GB avi rips) through the Mac Mini/VLC from
> the NAS results in freezing every 10 minutes or so. Same file stored on
> the Mac Mini plays fine. I'm not sure if this is a fault with the
> network. It's wired like this:
>
> http://flic.kr/p/kPnozh
>
> Any clues appreciated.
>

Two checks you can do - applicable to linux and MacOSX but should be 
easily adaptable to other OSes.

the "ifconfig" command (any *nix, linux and MacOSX) will give you error 
information. eg:

wlan0     Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:24:d7:53:d4:e4
           inet addr:10.0.0.55  Bcast:10.0.0.255  Mask:255.255.255.0
           UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
           RX packets:12657 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
           TX packets:10923 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
           collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
           RX bytes:4818078 (4.8 MB)  TX bytes:1856110 (1.8 MB)

Look at the "errors" - should be 0 or near enough.

The other test you can do is put a computer at each end of each network 
cable in turn (disconnecting all other equipment, switches etc) so the 
computers are directly linked by just that one installed Cat6 cable plus 
the patch leads:

Then check with the computers that the link comes up at 1000 (or 1gig) 
and not "100" or "10".

2nd, give both computers IP addresses on the same (any) subnet so they 
can talk to each other and run "iperf" (installable on linux, 
equivalents probably exist on other OSes).

You may not get 1000Mbit/sec due to limitations with one or both 
computers. But you should get 500Mbit upwards. Check with data flows 
both ways.


That's how I test mine.

Bear in mind that Cat6a (not Cat6) is good to 10gigbit/sec if installed 
properly. And IME it's quite hard to bugger up small scaled gigabit 
installations to the point where it works but poorly.

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#1398

On 08/03/2014 13:09, Tim Watts wrote:
> On 08/03/14 10:17, RJH wrote:
>> I've just installed some cat6 cable in my house - thought I might as
>> well while the plasterers were in. I used /some/ common sense, but some
>> cables were routed near mains cables and I wired the wall sockets
>> myself. So some margin for error ;-)
>>
>> All works, and I've checked continuity with a cheap cable tester.
>>
>> Transferring big files is OK - about 1GB/min. Internet works fine -
>> 50Mbps over ehternet, about the same with wireless enabled.
>>
>> However, playing video (say, 1GB avi rips) through the Mac Mini/VLC from
>> the NAS results in freezing every 10 minutes or so. Same file stored on
>> the Mac Mini plays fine. I'm not sure if this is a fault with the
>> network. It's wired like this:
>>
>> http://flic.kr/p/kPnozh
>>
>> Any clues appreciated.
>>
>
> Two checks you can do - applicable to linux and MacOSX but should be
> easily adaptable to other OSes.
>
> the "ifconfig" command (any *nix, linux and MacOSX) will give you error
> information. eg:
>
> wlan0     Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:24:d7:53:d4:e4
>            inet addr:10.0.0.55  Bcast:10.0.0.255  Mask:255.255.255.0
>            UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
>            RX packets:12657 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
>            TX packets:10923 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
>            collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
>            RX bytes:4818078 (4.8 MB)  TX bytes:1856110 (1.8 MB)
>
> Look at the "errors" - should be 0 or near enough.
>

Mmmm. I don't seem to get anything for wlan, or error reports:

lo0: flags=8049<UP,LOOPBACK,RUNNING,MULTICAST> mtu 16384
	options=3<RXCSUM,TXCSUM>
	inet6 ::1 prefixlen 128
	inet 127.0.0.1 netmask 0xff000000
	inet6 fe80::1%lo0 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x1
	nd6 options=1<PERFORMNUD>
gif0: flags=8010<POINTOPOINT,MULTICAST> mtu 1280
stf0: flags=0<> mtu 1280
en0: flags=8863<UP,BROADCAST,SMART,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> mtu 1500
	options=b<RXCSUM,TXCSUM,VLAN_HWTAGGING>
	ether d4:9a:20:d0:42:65
	inet6 fe80::d69a:20ff:fed0:4265%en0 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x4
	inet 192.168.1.67 netmask 0xffffff00 broadcast 192.168.1.255
	nd6 options=1<PERFORMNUD>
	media: autoselect (1000baseT <full-duplex,flow-control>)
	status: active
en1: flags=8863<UP,BROADCAST,SMART,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> mtu 1500
	ether 04:1e:64:f1:5b:bc
	inet6 fe80::61e:64ff:fef1:5bbc%en1 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x5
	inet 192.168.1.64 netmask 0xffffff00 broadcast 192.168.1.255
	nd6 options=1<PERFORMNUD>
	media: autoselect
	status: active
fw0: flags=8863<UP,BROADCAST,SMART,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> mtu 4078
	lladdr 04:1e:64:ff:fe:fb:3d:cc
	nd6 options=1<PERFORMNUD>
	media: autoselect <full-duplex>
	status: inactive
p2p0: flags=8843<UP,BROADCAST,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> mtu 2304
	ether 06:1e:64:f1:5b:bc
	media: autoselect
	status: active
utun0: flags=8051<UP,POINTOPOINT,RUNNING,MULTICAST> mtu 1380
	inet6 fe80::9dc7:9528:ba27:9f65%utun0 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x8
	inet6 fd55:415f:d56f:d848:9dc7:9528:ba27:9f65 prefixlen 64
	nd6 options=1<PERFORMNUD>

> The other test you can do is put a computer at each end of each network
> cable in turn (disconnecting all other equipment, switches etc) so the
> computers are directly linked by just that one installed Cat6 cable plus
> the patch leads:
>
> Then check with the computers that the link comes up at 1000 (or 1gig)
> and not "100" or "10".
>
> 2nd, give both computers IP addresses on the same (any) subnet so they
> can talk to each other and run "iperf" (installable on linux,
> equivalents probably exist on other OSes).
>
> You may not get 1000Mbit/sec due to limitations with one or both
> computers. But you should get 500Mbit upwards. Check with data flows
> both ways.
>

It's quite tricky to run cables directly. I'll give it a try at some 
point though, thanks.

As things are, the Network ethernet speed is listed as 1000baseT on the 
iMac, and 100baseTX on the Mac Mini. Very roughly, the speed 
transferring files to/from the NAS is 1GB/min with the iMac, and about 
200MB/min with the Mac Mini. I've tried connecting the Mini directly to 
the NAS - much the same result.

So, the problem seems to be the Mac Mini, or the connection it makes to 
the network. And I can't figure out what that might be just yet. It's a 
modernish (2012) i5 with a Gb ethernet port.
>
> That's how I test mine.
>
> Bear in mind that Cat6a (not Cat6) is good to 10gigbit/sec if installed
> properly. And IME it's quite hard to bugger up small scaled gigabit
> installations to the point where it works but poorly.

Cat6 is fine I think - it's only really films and throwing large video 
files about.
-- 
Cheers, Rob

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#1400

On 09/03/14 21:19, RJH wrote:
>> Look at the "errors" - should be 0 or near enough.
>>
>
> Mmmm. I don't seem to get anything for wlan, or error reports:
>
> lo0: flags=8049<UP,LOOPBACK,RUNNING,MULTICAST> mtu 16384
>      options=3<RXCSUM,TXCSUM>
>      inet6 ::1 prefixlen 128
>      inet 127.0.0.1 netmask 0xff000000
>      inet6 fe80::1%lo0 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x1
>      nd6 options=1<PERFORMNUD>
> gif0: flags=8010<POINTOPOINT,MULTICAST> mtu 1280
> stf0: flags=0<> mtu 1280
> en0: flags=8863<UP,BROADCAST,SMART,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> mtu 1500
>      options=b<RXCSUM,TXCSUM,VLAN_HWTAGGING>
>      ether d4:9a:20:d0:42:65
>      inet6 fe80::d69a:20ff:fed0:4265%en0 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x4
>      inet 192.168.1.67 netmask 0xffffff00 broadcast 192.168.1.255
>      nd6 options=1<PERFORMNUD>
>      media: autoselect (1000baseT <full-duplex,flow-control>)
>      status: active
> en1: flags=8863<UP,BROADCAST,SMART,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> mtu 1500
>      ether 04:1e:64:f1:5b:bc
>      inet6 fe80::61e:64ff:fef1:5bbc%en1 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x5
>      inet 192.168.1.64 netmask 0xffffff00 broadcast 192.168.1.255
>      nd6 options=1<PERFORMNUD>
>      media: autoselect
>      status: active

Mac? It's going to be en0 or en1 IIRC. Curious there is no error field - 
perhaps a Mac person could add a comment?

>
> It's quite tricky to run cables directly. I'll give it a try at some
> point though, thanks.
>
> As things are, the Network ethernet speed is listed as 1000baseT on the
> iMac, and 100baseTX on the Mac Mini. Very roughly, the speed
> transferring files to/from the NAS is 1GB/min with the iMac, and about
> 200MB/min with the Mac Mini. I've tried connecting the Mini directly to
> the NAS - much the same result.
>
> So, the problem seems to be the Mac Mini, or the connection it makes to
> the network. And I can't figure out what that might be just yet. It's a
> modernish (2012) i5 with a Gb ethernet port.

Hmm - interesting... Sorry my Mac skills are weak.

>>
>> That's how I test mine.
>>
>> Bear in mind that Cat6a (not Cat6) is good to 10gigbit/sec if installed
>> properly. And IME it's quite hard to bugger up small scaled gigabit
>> installations to the point where it works but poorly.
>
> Cat6 is fine I think - it's only really films and throwing large video
> files about.

Yep - Cat 6 will do gigabit (as will Cat5e).

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#1380

In message <Ju-dnRsGb7nQc4fOnZ2dnUVZ8oSdnZ2d@bt.com> 
  RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
> However, playing video (say, 1GB avi rips) through the Mac Mini/VLC from 
> the NAS results in freezing every 10 minutes or so.

How old is the mini? My 2009 mini can just manage 1080p video playback
while also streaming off the network, but only just. I'm sure an older
mini would choke on occasions. Maybe even a slightly slower 2009 mini.

Have you tried Plex/XMBC instead of VLC?

(I have the 2009 server edition)

> I'm not sure if this is a fault with the network.

I wouldn't think so.

> http://flic.kr/p/kPnozh

Odd. Never seen a switch with delegated ports like that. Which color is
the mini plugged into? Is it really a switch or some sort of router
(priority implies some sort of QoS setting which would normally be on a
router)

-- 
Oh, no!  Not *ANOTHER* learning experience!

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#1399

On 08/03/2014 20:15, Lewis wrote:
> In message <Ju-dnRsGb7nQc4fOnZ2dnUVZ8oSdnZ2d@bt.com>
>    RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
>> However, playing video (say, 1GB avi rips) through the Mac Mini/VLC from
>> the NAS results in freezing every 10 minutes or so.
>
> How old is the mini? My 2009 mini can just manage 1080p video playback
> while also streaming off the network, but only just. I'm sure an older
> mini would choke on occasions. Maybe even a slightly slower 2009 mini.
>

Pretty new i5 - 2012. It replaced a CD that did struggle with HD video.

> Have you tried Plex/XMBC instead of VLC?
>

XBMC is a little better - but has more catastrophic crashes when the 
stream becomes 'choked'.

> (I have the 2009 server edition)
>
>> I'm not sure if this is a fault with the network.
>
> I wouldn't think so.
>
>> http://flic.kr/p/kPnozh
>
> Odd. Never seen a switch with delegated ports like that. Which color is
> the mini plugged into? Is it really a switch or some sort of router
> (priority implies some sort of QoS setting which would normally be on a
> router)
>

I am a bit suspicious of that bit of kit. Zytech did send me that FOC to 
replace a lesser version that had a hardware design flaw - that 
prevented smooth streaming on media. It's this:

http://origin-eu.zyxel.com/uk/en/products_services/gs_108s.shtml?t=p

and the Mini/NAS is connected to one of the high priority ports. I'll 
connect the Mini directly to the NAS later and see what happens.

Thanks for the help.


-- 
Cheers, Rob

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