Home network cutting off internet connection

[Frank]

I setup a small home network consisting of three PCs. All three are
running Windows XP Home edition w/sp2. The setup up is - PC1 is
connected to the internet via cable modem & USB port. PC1 is then
connected to a Netgear Gigabit workgroup switch via an onboard Gigabit
LAN connection. PC1 is the only PC connected directly to the net. The
other two PCs are connected to the switch, one the same way, the other
with a Netgear Gigabit PCI LAN card. The problem I'm having is with
PC2 & 3s internet connection 'dropping off'. I used Microsoft's
network connection wizard to set the network up. Here's an example of
what occurs - when I startup PC2, (PC1 already running and connected
to the net), under 'Network Connections' it shows the LAN as being
connected ('Local Area Connection', 'Connected', 'Marvell Yukon
88E8001/8003/80101'), and it shows the Internet as being connected,
('Internet Gateway', 'Connected', 'Internet Connection on PC 1').
Connecting to the internet from PC2 at this point is no problem, but
after about an hour the connection to the internet drops off. The
'Internet Gateway' icon under 'Network Connections' is no longer
there. I can still access PC1's drives and files, just not the
internet. I have to disable PC2s LAN connection and re-connect in
order to get the 'Internet Gateway' icon to re-appear and get back on
the net. This happens to PC3 as well. PC1 remains connected to the net
throughout the whole thing with no problems. What could be causing
this? It's very annoying to set up a download, only to come back and
find that the connection's been cut off before even half of the
download is finished, then having to start it all over again. Any
assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated. Thanks much

Frank

 

[Kurt]

The first guess is that PC1 is going into standby, hibernate or power
management is shutting off the NICs or something. Many people here have
issues with Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) because of it's lack of
firewall capabilities. I think pretty much everyone would agree that
exposing PC1 directly to the Internet is somewhat less than "best
practices". Let me be the forst to suggest making a trip to the nearest
Wal-Mart and picking up a broadband router. Plug the router's WAN port into
the cable modem and it's LAN port into your gigabit switch along with all
the PC NICs. Then there will be no dependency on the state of PC1 for the
other's to reach the Intenet, you'll still have a gig network between PCs
and life will be good.

....kurt

 

[Frank]

The first guess is that PC1 is going into standby, hibernate or power
management is shutting off the NICs or something. Many people here have
issues with Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) because of it's lack of
firewall capabilities. I think pretty much everyone would agree that
exposing PC1 directly to the Internet is somewhat less than "best
practices". Let me be the forst to suggest making a trip to the nearest
Wal-Mart and picking up a broadband router. Plug the router's WAN port into
the cable modem and it's LAN port into your gigabit switch along with all
the PC NICs. Then there will be no dependency on the state of PC1 for the
other's to reach the Intenet, you'll still have a gig network between PCs
and life will be good.

...kurt

First, Thanks for the quick reply. Next, cool, I'll check out the
router deal..... Thanks again

Frank