So, I've got two computers and a wireless access point hooked up to a five-port switch that connects to a DSL modem. The problem is, at some point or another, the modem's ethernet light will suddenly go dark and both computers will be disconnected. No amount of power-cycling fixes this. The problem can be partially alleviated by directly connecting one computer to the modem, but this leaves the other computer in the dark in terms of any sort of network connection, along with any computers that need to be connected through the wireless router, which includes a desktop used for work upstairs. I'm not sure exactly where the problem lies but I'm becoming more and more sure that it's the modem, because the five-port switch continues to recognize any computer that's powered on and connected, plus the modem and router.
In case these are needed, the brands and model numbers of the networking equipment are:
Modem, Speedstream, 060-5660-171
Five-Port Switch, Linksys, EZXS55W
Router, Linksys, BEFW11S4
Edit: Oh dear. I seem to have posted in the wrong forum again. Sorry. Please move this?

I guess that I don't understand why you are using a switch...and a router. The switch is unnecessary and just places another potential point of failure in the connection, IMO.

In my experience (limited)...modem problems revolve around my kicking the connecting wires loose and/or potential power/connection problems experienced by the broadband provider.

But...the modem can always fail or be failing, it's a manmade device with all the weaknesses of such.

I'd check the connections first...cable to modem, modem to router...and I'd connect the computers directly to the router and nix the switch.

Louis

The reason we are using a router AND a modem is that we didn't know that our ISP would specifically provide a modem which also acted as a router. So we kept the router for use as a wireless access point and wired it into the switch like a computer. I've already tested the connections and I said in the beginning post that one computer was currently connected to the modem, but this didn't really fix the problem since we often want several computers using the internet at once.

I don't know how comfortable you are with upgrading the firmware on your modem, but it may correct your connection issues. This site has the information you would need.

http://text.dslreports.com/faq/eff/7_5660

Yeah, that might help. I'm not really all that good with the networking thing, but we were going to call a technician in from our ISP. Last time they were pretty helpful too, they fixed the problem, which turned out to be corrupt files on the modem. However, I think the symptoms were different last time. I'll talk to them about that if we do decide to call. In the meantime, if anyone has any other ideas, it'd be great if you posted them. Thanks!

Edit: We found out something interesting: If you connect the modem to the computer directly after the ethernet light goes off, turn off the router, plug the computer into the 5-port switch and then reconnect the 5-port switch to the modem, the ethernet light turns back on. Also, just now, the ethernet light shut off, and as I was walking over to connect the computer to the modem it mysteriously turned back on. It almost looks like the problem is starting to resolve itself... I dunno.

FWIW: Using a router and a modem make sense to me...using a switch and a router don't.

Good luck .

Louis

Okay, I think I've troubleshot my way to the problem. The reason we had a five-port switch is that the router was one port short of our requirements. Anyways, we took the switch completely out of the loop and used the router in the same way and the system functions perfectly now. Thanks for the help anyways.

Happy computing .

Louis

Glad you got it worked out !!

erm....sory if disturbing u all....erm... can i know u connect your modem too switch then go to the router? is it? wat u mean?

erm... if like tat u mean, what i know is,why u didnt connect from modem to the router then from router go to the other PC?

here we must want to check how many port do u have? inside ur modem and the router....