Network Jam

Hi,

There was an issue happened a couple times in our network that caused all
the systems inaccessible to the internet. For example, a computer crashed
but it's network card (for unknown reason) was still sending out packets
(bad packets, maybe a broadcast storm??) Everything works fine (Server,
router, etc), but the switch port where the pc connected was blinking like
crazy), when that network cable was unplugged from the switch, then all
ports activity looks normal. It wasn't virus or anything, but it happened
for a couple of our computers. When that happened, all the computers
connected to the same switch can't connect to each other nor the internet.
Is this because of a cheap network card or is there a way to prevent this
sort of thing happen? All of our network switches are regular unmanaged
switch. I don't have any managed switch, but does a managed switch prevent
this sort of problem for the entire network when a bad nic card somehow
misbehave? If yes, can anyone suggest a particular switch and what needs to
be configured?

--
Thanks,
Alan

First step would be to fire up a packet sniffer when this happens to find out
what these packets really are. Wireshark works well.

"Alan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> There was an issue happened a couple times in our network that caused all the
> systems inaccessible to the internet. For example, a computer crashed but it's
> network card (for unknown reason) was still sending out packets (bad packets,
> maybe a broadcast storm??) Everything works fine (Server, router, etc), but
> the switch port where the pc connected was blinking like crazy), when that
> network cable was unplugged from the switch, then all ports activity looks
> normal. It wasn't virus or anything, but it happened for a couple of our
> computers. When that happened, all the computers connected to the same switch
> can't connect to each other nor the internet. Is this because of a cheap
> network card or is there a way to prevent this sort of thing happen? All of
> our network switches are regular unmanaged switch. I don't have any managed
> switch, but does a managed switch prevent this sort of problem for the entire
> network when a bad nic card somehow misbehave? If yes, can anyone suggest a
> particular switch and what needs to be configured?
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Alan
>

if the network is experiencing a broadcast storm due to a jabbering nic, a
packet sniffer wouldn't tell you anything because it couldn't get anything
back due to the network saturation. It would only be adding more overhead to
the network.

Yes a managed switch has broadcast control which addresses a jabbering nic
like you describe. I am a fan of HP managed switches if you are looking for
a suggestion.