Strange problem with Netgear Switch (Model: FS116)

I am having a little difficulty figuring out what is wrong with this switch at my work place.

Basically, what is happening is that the switch would be working perfectly fine during the day time. But the next morning when we come in, the internet is cut off. At this moment, the switch is making a strange buzzing noise that it usually does not make.

The weird part is, when I unplug the power, and plug it back in, the noise goes away and everything starts working again.

Now here is the weirdest part, it consistently happens every morning. Its like something is happening in the middle of the night thats causing this issue. We don't know what is causing it or when it is happening. We just know that the internet will be gone and there will be a buzzing noise every morning that we come in.

We have concluded that there are some gremlins running around the office at night so we might just set up a camera to record the events over night.

On a more serious note, does anyone know what might be causing this problem? It only started happening within the past week or so and the switch is only about 6 months old. We also did not change anything in the network.

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Spike

The buzzing is in all propability a failing component. It happens in electronics-the buzzing is usually a capacitor. Time for a new switch.

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I should say that the reason it starts to buzz is because of heat buildup.

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But why would it happen only over night, when it is least used?

It never happens during the day, under the heaviest loads when we are there.

I have considered that it might be failing electronic components, but with the above explanation, it just doesn't make very much sense.


In any case, the switch is still under manufacturers warranty but we would have to go without a switch while its being sent in....and we can't have that.

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Spike

The switch cares absolutely nothing about the load you throw at it. The processors are running even when its unloaded. Due to the casing, heat will build up slowly. I'm guessing that for the first 12 hours or so it doesn't get hot enough to start freaking out, but later it does.
If you bought it from Best Buy or the like you can just walk in and usually do the switch if you still have the receipt.
If you want to do further testing through it on a UPS for a couple of nights and see if the behavior resolves itself. I'm telling you you're going to end up with a new switch though.

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I agree with Fenis, it takes time for the heat build up. It sounds like the capacitators are going.

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Learn about the man behind the screen @ Ogden2k.net

Thanks for the input guys. We got the switch at CompUSA and their exchange policy is only valid for 30 days. I'll run more experiments with it before giving my boss a diagnosis.

Does anyone have any suggestions on a better switch? By better, I mean one that won't kill itself after 6 months. I'm not very familiar with them so please toss out some suggestions.

Thanks!

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Spike

What are you looking for? Just a normal 100Mb switch? If so, I'd recommend any of the SMC unmanaged switches; I've had one for 6 years and it's still running strong.

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Learn about the man behind the screen @ Ogden2k.net

Not too sure on the specs. As I said, my knowledge on switches is very limited.

This is what we currently have:
http://www.netgear.com/Products/Swit...Specifications

I'll look into the SMC switches and forward the info to my boss. Thanks James!

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Spike

I usually pick up the Linksys switches/routers-they're just Cisco equipment now.

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