GigE freezing with 2 HDHR streams

[MacDaddy]

I have a network layout as shown in the attached graphic. The GigE switch linking the 2 HDHRs, UnRaid and Sage boxes is a D-Link DGS-2205. It appears to hang on occasion when under (reasonably) heavy load.

The specific example I have is last night I was watching one TV show (currently recording over HDHR #1, in progess, delayed viewing). Another show was recording on HDHR #2. Both shows were in HD. Caught up to show #1 in real time and decided to stop and play some online videos while it spooled up some more (real GAF improving function). Went to Google video and watched a few videos. Part way through the third video, the HD200 appears to hang.

Diagnostics I tried: connected over wireless via laptop and logged in to Router. It shows the Sage box still connected with valid IP. Pinged IP with no response. Tried to telnet to UnRaid tower (headless unit, no local access) and was not able to connect. Went directly to Sage server and tried to ping out to router - no success. Still showed valid IP, DNS and gateway entries on ehternet card. HDHRs #1 and #2 still had active power and link lights. Pulled power to GigE switch and restored. Unable to get Sage server to acquire IP without going through reboot. Once rebooted, all was back to good.

Questions and help: Should I be running the 100Mb HDHRs through the GigE switch? Are two HD steams and online streaming enought to overload a GigE switch (would guesstimate 45Mb/s - 20Mb for each HD stream plus 5Mb for online stream)? Should I move the HDHRs over to their own dedicated NIC? Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions to improve reliability here.

[PLUCKYHD]

I think the overload may be running a 100mb switch behind the router different from the sagetv server on the gb switch less than ideal. (still should work)

It is hard to overload a 1gb connection but also gb connections are pickier about their switches/cableing. If the ends are crimped perfectly on a cat 5e cable it is hard to substain gb connections.

That said just to avoid the overload on the network I always run my hdhomeruns dedicated nic cards on the cpu. Personall preference more than anything I don't like all that extra traffice on my entire network.

[Taddeusz]

I notice it says you're running SageTV 6.2. This is a known problem with the older versions of SageTV and newer HDHR drivers. Upgrade your SageTV and HDHR drivers to the latest versions. You'll probably need to do a channel scan again in both the HDHR setup and in SageTV. Be sure to follow the directions to the letter.

[MacDaddy]

Originally Posted by PLUCKYHD

I think the overload may be running a 100mb switch behind the router different from the sagetv server on the gb switch less than ideal. (still should work)

I'm trapped with using pre-existing Cat 5 (not e) wiring on the run to the 100Mb switch. It tests out for GigE, but crosstalk is severe. Safer to run 100MB. Can't see my HD200 or game PC needing GigE.

Originally Posted by PLUCKYHD

It is hard to overload a 1gb connection but also gb connections are pickier about their switches/cableing. If the ends are crimped perfectly on a cat 5e cable it is hard to substain gb connections.

Agreed. The 100Mb leg off the BRouter uses the crimped Cat5 described before. The rest are Cat5e and Cat6 premanufactured patch cables. Funny that I can still see the network from the slow side when things freeze. Seems the 100Mb is not tripping the BRouter.

Originally Posted by PLUCKYHD

That said just to avoid the overload on the network I always run my hdhomeruns dedicated nic cards on the cpu. Personall preference more than anything I don't like all that extra traffice on my entire network.

Agreed. Very good point about echoing traffic across all the switches. I have an old 10/100 NIC in the parts box that I can put in. Can I use an old hub for the HDHRs to connect through to the second NIC? Do they self-assign IP or need DHCP service?

[MacDaddy]

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

I notice it says you're running SageTV 6.2. This is a known problem with the older versions of SageTV and newer HDHR drivers. Upgrade your SageTV and HDHR drivers to the latest versions. You'll probably need to do a channel scan again in both the HDHR setup and in SageTV. Be sure to follow the directions to the letter.

Mea Culpa. Haven't updated my signature in a while. I'll do that now.

[PLUCKYHD]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy

Agreed. Very good point about echoing traffic across all the switches. I have an old 10/100 NIC in the parts box that I can put in. Can I use an old hub for the HDHRs to connect through to the second NIC? Do they self-assign IP or need DHCP service?

they do assign they IP when directly connected by I have 3 NICs so I have never tried hooking them to a switch and then to the cp should work I think...