Qirky, random local network access.

[Tod Merley]

On Fri, Oct 3, 2008 at 6:01 AM, Linuxguy123 <linuxguy123 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On Fri, 2008-10-03 at 08:41 -0400, Linuxguy123 wrote:
>> Good morning.
>>
>> I've been experiencing a quirky, random network access issue in Linux
>> only with both F8 and F9.
>>
>> The network looks like this
>>
>> - Linksys WRT54gs wireless router, connects to the Internet via a cable
>> modem
>> - Dell 1720N networked printer, plugs into a router port
>> - Linksys print server, connects an HP all in one to the wireless router
>> - Windows laptop, connects to the wireless router via wifi
>> - Linux laptop, connects to the wireless router via wifi
>>
>> Most days this setup works well.  No problems.
>>
>> However, every once ina while I get a "Printer may not be connected"
>> error when I try to print to either printer.
>>
>> If I then open a browser on the Linux machine and enter the IP for the
>> router, I cannot log into it. (http://192.168.1.1) It gives me the login
>> screen and I put in the right username and password, but it rejects me.
>>
>> If I open a browser on the Linux machine and enter the IP for the laser
>> printer, it tells me it isn't available.  (http://192.168.1.100)
>>
>> It doesn't matter if the browser is Konqueror or Firefox, neither one
>> works.
>>
>> However, if I do this on the Windows machine, both of these actions work
>> and I can also print.
>>
>> At the same time, I can also access the Internet and such just fine.
>
> The other tidbit of information to this problem is that I just restarted
> my computer and then the print job completed and I was able to log into
> the wireless router and display the printer properties page.
>
> It seems like Linux loses the ability to connect directly to the local
> network.
>
> Thanks
>
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Hi linuxguy123!

When it is messing up, from a terminal run #/sbin/ifconfig, and then
#/sbin/iwconfig.  Pay attention to the IP settings in the ifconfig
output, and the link quality and specifics of the iwconfig message.

I have two suspicions.  1. The RF path or quality of the wifi modem
(or both) make the actual RF connection unreliable - or - 2. As with
one of the machines I work with the MAC address for the wifi somehow
got the actual MAC of the ethernet connection.   If it is #1 change
and improve the RF path (move them closer, see if a differant channel
works better, use an extender).  If #2 pull out the pcmcia card (or
turn off the wifi) from the Linux laptop, and then turn it on again -
which consistantly clears it for me.

Regardless, have fun!

Tod