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Two R7000 connected via a CAT6 cable but showing AMBER lights on 4 LAN ports.
I am a bit of a network guy for a lot of years now but this really stumped me. I have a FIOS gateway router (basement) as my main and two Netgear R7000 (family room & upstairs hall), all connected...
Assuming that there's still interest...
> I have a FIOS gateway router (basement) as my main [...]
Has it a maker and model number?
> [...] and two Netgear R7000 (family room & upstairs hall), [...]
Firmware version(s)? Configured as routers, or as wireless access
points, or what?> [...] all connected via CAT6 cable. [...]
If a device has different types of Ethernet ports, then "connected to
device" is not enough detail. What, exactly, is connected to what,
exactly?> [...] the upstairs hall R7000 router where all 4 LAN port lights are
> showing AMBER [...]
And what's connected to them?> What the heck is going on?!!!
Sounds like bad cable(s), but many things are possible.
For a quick cable test, connect each end to a LAN Ethernet port on an
R7000, and observe the relevant port-status LED indicators. For a good
cable, both port-status LEDs should indicate a maximum-speed connection.
(And they should agree.) On an R7000, that would mean white port-status
LEDs.When you have identified a good cable, try using it to connect a
couple of R7000 units together (however you want to do that). Start
with a less complex configuration, and build slowly.Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look
for Documentation. Get the User Manual. Read. Look for the LED
descriptions and "Troubleshoot".
> [...] The Amber light means [...]What it says in the User Manual.
> [...] Do you have devices that are transmitting at 100Mbs (say older
> computers or laptops) or all they all transmitting at a gig (1000 Mbs).
> [...]Presumably, when connecting two R7000 routers, all the ports involved
are gigabit-capable. Whether the cables are is a different question.
> [...] one part I neglected to do is to try a different cable. [...]
Trust no one, I always say.
> [...] In my defence, [...]
Not a good one.
> [...] I now tested all the IN-WALL cables that I ran [...]
If you're running bulk cable, then I'd guess that you're attaching
some kind of connectors at the ends. I'd worry much more about the
connector attachment than I would about the cable, unless the cable
itself is not rated appropriately.
A basic test would be continuity on all eight conductors. Four
conductors (the _right_ four) would be enough for sub-gigabit speeds,
but you need all eight for gigabit. Any cable run gives you sixteen
chances for a fault.
Hundred-year-old math puzzle books include topics like how to test
multiple-conductor cables with the least running forth and back between
the ends. Cable test equipment which is fancier than a test lamp also
exists.
> P.S. DO NOT BUY the [...]
Or choose your installer carefully.
I have tested the cables with the connectors at the ends with my network cable tester and replaced them with new ones and they all tested ok but just not CAT6 level.