Home Network - Signal Only Works One Way?

Porker on 30/12/2020 - 16:41

Hi,

Just need some clarification on networking if anyone can assist.

My house has internal and individual ethernet to 5 ports throughout the house. All those 5 ports connect to a main board that has 5 Ethernet connection ports at that location.

Original setup was to place at the main board the NBN modem and router, then connect from the 5 port board as many (up to 5) connections to the router back as required from the devices around the house.

I found that the main board, being upstairs, gets super hot so wanted to relocate the router/modem to my garage where exists one of the five Ethernet ports.

However, when I connect the modem/router to the single port in the garage, it's corresponding port on the main panel does not get a signal. I figure only one of the five ports will work, but the corresponding one doesnt, nor does any other.

It's as if the setup only works in one direction.

Can anyone enlighten me on why this might be? Or what I need to get to overcome if there is some thing I can buy?

The garage has proper phone connection and the router/modem works from there. I just can't get a signal via Ethernet from that port to the upstairs one.

Thanks

Computing

Comments

  • apsilon on 30/12/2020 - 16:53

    You don't say what type of NBN but when you moved the modem downstairs, how are you connecting the NBN to it? I can guess but want to clarify first. I know it's almost meme status here but a diagram really would help in this case.

    • Porker on 30/12/2020 - 17:35

      Thanks for reply - it's fibre to curb, so the internal NBN connection is via phone jack/port.

      There is a phone port upstairs and also in the garage.

      I'll work on a diagram.

      • apsilon on 30/12/2020 - 18:12

        Just because it looks like a phone point doesn't mean it is. NBN won't have installed 2 points so my current guess is the one in the garage is an old point no longer connected to anything. Does the modem show it has a connection when it's in the garage?

        • Porker on 30/12/2020 - 18:37

          When I setup the modem/router in the garage with the phone port there, the internet works as it should over WiFi with proper 50/20 speed as per the plan I have.

          • apsilon on 30/12/2020 - 18:53

            @Porker: You're sure it's wifi and not falling over to 4G etc? Just checking as I've seen that several times before. OK, so I assume then with the router in the garage that you're using a switch at the upstairs location? Does it show a link to the router?

  • websterp on 30/12/2020 - 17:01

    Get a cheap Ethernet cable tester from eBay/Bunnings/Jaycar and check all 5 connections. This would help you troubleshoot why you don't have connectivity between the two network ports in the garage and upstairs.
    You also need a network switch at the "mainboard" location to interconnect all 5 ports so connected devices can communicate with the router and with each other.

    • Porker on 30/12/2020 - 17:40

      Thanks for reply.

      All five connections work when the modem/router is at the 5-port end. All the connected individual devices at the single port ends get proper wired connections.

      It's just odd that it doesn't work the other way for any of the five individual ports (having tested it again) to their corresponding one in the 5-port end.

      I'm assuming it's just cable behind the panels at both the single and 5-port end and now something else.

  • ode1online on 30/12/2020 - 18:58
    +1

    Are you using a LAN port or Wan port. you want to use a LAN port on the modem/router

    It shouldn't matter what end of the cable you are on!

    If the modem/router was setup as it originally was (working)
    Are you able to plug a laptop into the PORT in the garage and see if it connects to the modem router ?

    If it does then in theory you should be able to put the modem/router on the other end and a 5 port or more switch in its place upstairs

  • avoidfullprice on 30/12/2020 - 20:48

    I had some issues using Shielded cables that came with my old routers, where there was no connectivity if I plug it on a particular port. It was resolved using normal UTP ethernet cable. May or may not be related.

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