Do I have a bad network switch?

[Carnos Jax]

My home network setup is as follows:

Comcast Cable Modem
Apple AirPort Extreme (the previous generation, not the current tall one)
TRENDnet 16-Port Unmanaged Gigabit GREENnet Desktop Switch TEG-S16Dg

The switch is connected to the AirPort Extreme via one of the ethernet ports on the Extreme (the wireless is turned off on the Extreme).

To the switch are connected 8 different devices throughout the house.

This switch is about a couple of months old.

This morning, I noticed my iMac and PS3 couldn't get on the Internet.

I power cycled the switch and both devices were able to get on the Internet...but only for a minute or two (I did this several times).

There is no change in the LED patterns on the switch when it's working (as in letting my network devices connect to the Internet) and not working. So I am unable to 'diagnose' anything this way.

I swapped out an older TRENDnet 8 port switch and so far no problems.

The simple diagnosis I'm tempted to make is that the 16 port switch is 'bad'? Am I missing something here? Googling the issue doesn't seem to yield any results for the 16 port switch (it seems to be a very reliable model).

[C(-)ris]

Could be, or it could be the Extreme. I think the Extreme would be more likely as it is doing the DHCP functionality. When it stops working you need to see if you have a valid link and if you can manually set IPs and ping other devices.

[Carnos Jax]

Oh, also, when the previous setup (i.e. 16 port switch) stopped 'working', I was not able to see the Extreme via the AirPort Utility on my iMac.

So far the 8 port switch is going strong (also I'm able to see the Extreme via AP Utility now, fwiw).

[Filliam H. Muffman]

The PS3 can say if it has a working IP but not much more. Using the iMac, the Network Utility has some tabs for tools. The oldschool diagnosis method is to Ping your way up the chain to the modem. Looking at the Quick Installation Guide, there is no factory reset button and no way to log in to the device (not that there would be for a basic switch).

You could try contacting the company to see if they have any recommendations. I did not see a support forum, just a support login to register an email/product.

[colonel panic]

Can the devices on your network see each other? If they can then the problem is probably with your AE or cable service.

[Carnos Jax]

The devices can't see each other. The 8 port switch is working fine though (and the devices can see each other on it).

[Carnos Jax]

Filliam H. Muffman wrote:
Looking at the Quick Installation Guide, there is no factory reset button and no way to log in to the device (not that there would be for a basic switch).

You could try contacting the company to see if they have any recommendations. I did not see a support forum, just a support login to register an email/product.

Yeah, that guide didn't have much. No factory reset or anything. Like you said though, it's an unmanaged switch. Still don't understand why the LED's aren't indicating any problems.

[Article Accelerator]

Carnos Jax wrote: I swapped out an older TRENDnet 8 port switch and so far no problems.

That's a strong indication that your hunch is correct. Repeating the experiment will verify it.

[Paul F.]

Does very much seem like a bad switch...

[Carnos Jax]

Follow up: http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,1649224