Can there be an Ethernet Switch that doesn't work with Linux???

[shimi]

On Sun, Aug 29, 2010 at 12:27 AM, Nadav Har'El <nyh at math.technion.ac.il>wrote:

> While I have quite a bit of networking experience, I have found myself
> stumped by a frustrating problem in my home network - which surprisingly
> appears Linux-specific - and I wonder if anyone ever saw such a thing.
>
> I have a typical home network. In one room, I have several computers, so I
> want to use an additional switch there. I got an EDIMAX ES-3208P 100 Mbps
> switch (90 shekels, at Bug).
>
> Now, what happens is that while my wife's Windows computer works well with
> that switch, my Linux computer does not. Sniffing the network, I see that
> my Linux computer sends out DHCP broadcasts (to get an IP address from the
> house's DHCP server) or ARP broadcasts (to contact the gateway), but while
> replies for these queries are being generated, they are not forwarded by
> the
> switch to my Linux computer!
>
> When I replace the switch with a 10-year-old hub I had lying around (good
> thing I didn't toss that museum piece), suddenly everything works!
>
> I could have concluded that that EDIMAX switch is simply broken, if it
> weren't for the fact the Windows computer works perfectly behind it! What
> could possibly be the cause for the Windows computer to connect correctly
> behind the switch, while the Linux computer doesn't? Has anyone ever seen
> such a problem?
>
>

What I am about to say is so far fetched, but having seen bizarre things on
networking, I would suggest it anyways :)

You didn't mention what was before this Edimax switch? The old Hub?

It could be that there's an Ethernet negotiation problem, in such a way that
your MAC doesn't get registered on the switch (?). Not necessarily a Linux
problem. Maybe a NIC problem, or an Ethernet cable problem. Of course that
with a Hub that would work anyways, because a Hub broadcasts to all ports,
regardless of negotiation...

So, did you try a different NIC?

-- Shimi
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