Hardware

Hi, I have m0n0wall running on a old Dell with an Intel Pentium 3 CPU and 1GB RAM and CF-to-IDE adapter.  It has been working wonderfully for some time now.  I just upgraded my NIC's from a Matrox networks 10/100 and a Trendnet (realtek) 10/100/1000 NIC.  They were both running at 100Mb/s.  I now have two identical GigE "Intel Pro/1000 GT Desktop" PCI cards. PWLA8391GTBLK.  I have upgraded my switch to a Dlink DGS-2208.  I have upgraded my modem to a Motorola SB6120.  ...DOCSIS 3.0 and GigE.

Here is my issue:
When I connect the LAN side NIC to my new GigE switch, the switch and the NIC can never negotiate a speed, and the switch in essence goes into a frenzy.  I tried power cycling the switch several times with no luck.  For kicks, when I connect the LAN NIC to my old 10/100 switch, no issues at all.  Connects at 100Mb/s just fine.

The WAN NIC (which is identical) connects to the SB6120 modem at GigE speeds just fine.  For kicks, if I switch the cables around so the modem plugs into the LAN side NIC, it immediately negotiates at GigE speed, so it's not a faulty LAN side NIC.  It can do GigE to the modem, or 100Mb/s to the old switch.

FYI, I have another computer with a Broadcom GigE NIC built-in that connects to the DGS-2208 at GigE speeds just fine.

What am I missing here? Why can't I get the LAN NIC to negotiate GigE (or any speed actually) with this switch?

(Side note, I have a bunch of DGS-2205, and a few DGS-2208 running at work with no issues at all.)

Thanks in advance!!

I have 3 different computers right now that can connect to the DGS-2208 at GigE speeds.  BUT ONLY IF I CONNECT ONE OF THEM AT A TIME.

In another test, I can only have one computer connected at GigE, as long as the others connect at 100.  With this test, the switch only resets itself about once every 5-10 minutes.

I'm losing my mind here.  I think I might have a bad switch??  Anybody?

Have you tried using different ports on the switch?  Tried different network cables?  Are you using CAT5e or CAT6?

I tried using all the ports on the switch.  I used CAT6 cables first, then tried my older CAT5 cables.  No matter what I did I ended up only being able to get one machine to connect to the switch at GigE speeds at a time.  The other two would have to be forced to connect at 100, other wise the switch would go into a frenzy and constantly reboot.  Even with the one at a time setup, the switch would still randomly reboot about once every 5-10 minutes.  I think it's a faulty Dlink switch.  I have the same model DGS-2208 with the same exact hardware revision (D1) at work and it works fine.

So here is what I did:

1. I put the DGS-2208 back in the box.
2. Drove to Frys Electronics and purchased a "Frys.com 8 port Gigabit Switch" (which believe it or not cost me more than the DGS-2208)
3. Connected it up at home to all my machines at the same time.
4. Connected at Gigabit speeds with all my machines the first time with no hassles.