Networking Issue

[krazymanwalker]

The two computers that I work on during the days, have been having some issues which is that they drop our network, but won't drop the internet.  It is at random times and messes with me since we keep most of all of our parts on the Network.  When the network is down I have to restart the computer in order for it to pick it back up and connect again.  Which works for a while, but it will end up happening again later on or a different day. Has anyone ever come upon an issue like this and if so could someone please assist.  The network is ran all on Ethernet cable it isn't wifi, and we have multiple network boxes because my computer is connected to a Press Brake and Laser operating machine as well as going back to the main Network Server. Any help is better than none.

Sincerely,
Walker

[icecream-guy]

having some issues which is that they drop our network, but won't drop the internet. 

Sincerely,
Walker

can you share ?  I am not sure what you mean?
computer cannot selective drop networks, it's either all or none.

any florescent lighting nearby?  I use to work in a warehouse, which has massive intermittent network issues. The network cables were strung through the florescent lighting 

[Dieselboy]

Walker could you be a bit more descriptive about what breaks when you have the issue as this will help us work out what components are breaking on your side.

What parts are breaking?

Icecreamguy - sounds like they might be using a workgroup rather than a AD Domain or file server, and file sharing is breaking. This is a huge guess, though.

[krazymanwalker]

Alright, so I am going to attach a photo of the Networks that are linked to my desktop computer. I have 5 different networks that we run off of to keep things on the servers and really not on the computers themselves.  I have no idea what is breaking though because I have always figured if I am unable to get into a network then my internet would also be down at the same time. These Networks are shared to specific computers within the shops as well.  I just had the issue happen again, but didn't read my post yet because I was busy working on something at the moment. So, while drawing some parts up and getting ready to save them it couldn't find the location of the drive anymore so the drives all dropped. So when this happens all of the Network Drives end up with a Red X on the corner rather than it looking like it does in the attached photo. Yet I still have internet which is being sent through the rest of the cables the same way.  I would sit to see if it would reconnect automatically incase the network itself was rebooting or restarted, but in order for it to pick back up I have to restart my computer for it to relink.  Which it just did it to my main computer and then the Laser Machine's computer which is linked through the network for all the program files. If you need more information than that be really specific on what I need to send to y'all or look for because like I said I am not really a networking guy, I have general knowledge of computers and sharing computers over a network from just general use at home.  I appreciate your help.

Also, we do have florescent lights all over the place, but they have never interfered with anything in the last 11 years that I have been here for. We are using a .local Network Domain, because when the Laser computer drops the network and I have to remap it then I have to sign it into a made up X workgroup to go back in and resign it up for our .local domain if that helps. 

This is also my second time using a forum and if something doesn't get attached or I don't get notified right away, that is why, because I usually just read these, but couldn't find any information for getting this figured out. Hopefully the picture shows up because the preview doesn't show anything from what I can tell.

[deanwebb]

No worries, we're here to help.

If your Internet connection is through a wireless network, it could be why you don't lose Internet when you lose local network. If not, then it may not be connectivity to the network that you're losing, but the PCs offering the services aren't reachable because your own PC is not participating on the network in the right way.

So, when you lose the ability to see other shares on the network, does that happen for other users or just you? If just you, there may be an issue with your PC or your PC's connection. If with others, then there may be some kind of interference on the network or instability on the part of the server offering up the shares.

[krazymanwalker]

This only happens between my computer, the Laser Machine's computer, and computer that is connected to a Measuring device out here on the floor of the shop.  All of these computers are within the same area as well.  Everything is on a wired connection here.  I was thinking at first it might be some of the connections down the line or network boxes that they are plugged into, but I am unsure. Because we have one at the computer, then a little ways down behind the laser machine, then I am unsure where the next hook up is at.  It is kind of a rare case what I am experiencing I would believe. The production manager which took over the IT part which has no idea what causes this issue, thinks it may be my computer, but if so then it would be my computer,  the machine's computer which is built into the laser and then the other computer which I would think there would be some sort of solution.  It just doesn't make sense what may be causing these drops and only on these computers, for being at random times.

[deanwebb]

In small shops like this, situations like this mean following the wire. If there's a faulty patch panel, that can be an issue independent of the network gear and PCs. If there is damage to the cabling in a location due to animal activity or a hostile environment, that can also point to the intermittent issues for these devices. But someone has to follow the cables, including the ones going through the ceiling and walls.

There will be tugging of lines by one person and the other responding when he sees a cable jiggle at his end. Then labeling. LOTS of labeling. If everything is properly labeled right now, then you are dead and in heaven, please tell me more about the other side.

Chances are, this is an opportunity to get some sense and visibility about your networking environment and what's going on from end to end. I've done this and discovered switches in the crawlspace that nobody knew about. And when only a handful of devices in a wing of the office went through that switch and the others were properly patched, that switch going down explained why only 3 of the 7 people back there were having issues.

You will want to see if there is a network toner and probe in your office. If not, you will want to head down to the hardware store, here is one I recommend that is not expensive:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Tone-and-Probe-Tester-and-Tracer-Kit-VDV500-705/311456018?

That will help to trace cables by putting a signal at one end and checking where it's coming out at the patch panel.

[krazymanwalker]

I will definitely look further into that and see if they are willing to let me trace out the wires and us go through that process or have maintenance do it.  I am unsure as to what they may decide to do, but once I get to doing that I will keep you updated.  Also, I will see if they would like to purchase that device to double check the lines since we have a lot of line running from certain ends of the shop.

[deanwebb]

It's a great tool to have on hand in an office where lots of people have to pitch in to do IT work.

[krazymanwalker]

I went and relayed this information over to my Production Manager which he said that this is not only happening to my computer, that it happens to more now. So, I guess it isn't such a hard fix like I was thinking since I thought it was only happening to my computer which didn't make sense to me at first. I would like to say though I greatly appreciate everyone's help with this.  I was hoping to get it fixed, but he seemed irritated and I doubt that he is going to tell me what it is that he plans to do since he didn't say much.  I just wanted to say thank you though.

[deanwebb]

Getting the fix usually requires a few hours of gathering more information. But if it is happening to more people and is intermittent, then the hardware is starting to fail.

If it is in a hostile environment (lots of dust or noise or moisture) then you may need a hardened switch for a replacement. Otherwise, just a normal replacement may be what you need.

[krazymanwalker]

Thanks for the update. I appreciate all of the help.  I spoke with the Receptionist lady and another person that works next to her and they have had no issues with the Network drives like myself. So I am unsure whom to trust dealing with this stuff. I know around my area it is dusty and it is humid on the shop floor with the AC's not working properly at the moment.  Across from the laser area is our Welding area and, I get a bunch of dust from them grinding and all.  Sorry it took a little while to get back on here, got kinda busy.  Which I know the dust isn't good for any of the stuff I have over in my area, especially the computers. I have my computers other than the Laser controller in a Dust Free PC box that has a filter on the side which I change monthly although that thing gets really dirty maybe after a week or two from being on the box.

[deanwebb]

I'm going to guess that you need a tougher box with more frequent filter changes... also, does it get really hot in there? Computers hate it when it gets too hot. You may have environmental issues impacting gear having problems. And the reception area - if it's in a normal carpeted office environment, then that can be why they are all fine there.