Skybox f5 suspected network/DHCP problem

[fd3typer2]

Hi all. I was wondering if anyone can help with an issue SWIM is getting with some f5s. SWIM has been setting up boxes for friends (around 15 so far) and has encountered this problem on only 4 boxes.

He's comfortable with updating firmware, channels, soft cam bits, but occasionally this happens:

At home:
Box DEFINITELY has good signal
Hardwired into home router, internet connection is verified at this time using my laptop.
Softcam servers are up (Can be checked directly on the providers server + It can be verified all ok, as he has another f5 and dm800 with different line, from same provider)
Latest AJ Channel list is uploaded.
On initial setup, the DHCH is always set to off. I change this to ON, reboot, and test out the box.
All channels work OK (FTA + encrypted)

Box is ready to be delivered right?


Friend takes box to his home:
Sat Signal OK (Was previously using an original Sky STB + FTA channels all work OK)
Ethernet connected into router.
Internet is working. Can surf on a laptop or phone through same router.
All encrypted channels DON'T WORK. (As if there is no internet connection)
The same box can be taken back to his place and all is good.

At the friend's place after many tries of different things, sometimes the box may start to work, sometimes not.

Things that were also tried:

1.
Boot up box,
switch to wifi,
reboot,
switch to ethernet
reboot
Still doesn't work

2.
Boot up box
turn dhcp off
reboot
turn dhcp on
reboot
still not working

3.
boot up box WITH ethernet cable in
no good

4.
boot up box without ethernet cable in
connect ethernet cable while on
still not working.

I have a theory that the DHCP ip setting from the original setup location is getting stuck, and at the new location the other router doesn't like it. Just guess really.

Does anyone have any ideas or is this a known problem? SWIM is getting tired of talking people through the reboot/settings nonsense and would prefer that the box just plugged and played.

Thanks

[Hadron]

You can see if the F5 is connected to the network by checking the router's "attached devices" (or similarly named) menu page.

Also, see what IP address has been assigned to the F5, in the box's Network setup menu, then ping that address from a pc/laptop on the same network.

Has he tried swapping a box that doesn't work at a particular location with another one?

[mahrkpat]

What is the security setting of the router that you are having trouble with?
Try switching it to wpa only if it has a different setting also try changing the router channel to something less than 6 if it is set to auto or higher number.

[fd3typer2]

Hi,

Unfortunately the router was not checked to see attached device. Mainly because most of the time the person is a non tecchie and is being talked through by phone.

The offending box has physically been brought back to the original setup location working location and always works. A new box, setup identically, is sent to the non working location and somehow it works. The behaviour as you can see 'seems' erratic, but it could well be a buggy firmware or 'need to know the right order to do things' situation.

Mahrkpat, all installs are hardwired ethernet so security and channels won't come into play.

[genam]

possibly a router firewall is blocking things
also it could be a bad ethernet cable.....i've tried plain and crossover cables with mine and its been fine...if anything its faster with the crossover cable

[fd3typer2]

Possible fix..?

possibly a router firewall is blocking things
also it could be a bad ethernet cable.....i've tried plain and crossover cables with mine and its been fine...if anything its faster with the crossover cable

Yes this was considered, but a different box at the same location works., even with same cable. It could well be a firewall issue, which makes sense, but doesn't explpain why a different box in the same location will work. The inability to consistently reproduce the fault is making it hard to fix.


He thinks he's found a system for stopping this happening:

Boot fresh box
Update channel list and newcamd.list (Of ccam.cfg if preferred)
Change DHCP to ON and APPLY
Exit out of menus to channels
Verfify FTA and scrambled channels are working.
Switch DHCP OFF and APPLY
Change IP address of box to something else completely different (outside routers assigning range, i.e. 192.169.0.1)
APPLY change
Exit out of menu, check scrambled channels don't work.
Power off box
Disconnect ethernet cable
Boot up box
Change DHCP to ON and APPLY
Power off box. DO NOT REBOOT.
Deliver box to friend at new location.



He has done on 5 boxes and will update here on the results.

Cheers

[iggypop2]

Any news? I have similar problem with my mate's F5 it works here no problem, but as soon as we plug it in in his place, lines stay offline and only FTA channels work.