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From: tdd@convex.cl.msu.edu (Thomas D. Davis)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Confused Retix bridge?
Message-ID: <1990Oct30.210914.23429@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu>
Date: 30 Oct 90 21:09:14 GMT
Sender: news@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu
Organization: Michigan State University, East Lansing
Lines: 18

We have a number of Retix 2255M bridges on our campus ethernet (we have DEC
and Crosscomm bridges as well) that seem to have intermittent problems.  The
symptom that we've experienced which points to bridge trouble is basically
the loss of connectivity (NFS block read errors, ping failures) to machines
on the far side of the bridge.  After checking out as many variables as we
have the capability to test, we have pointed an accusing finger at these
bridges.  It "feels" like the bridge is getting its forwarding tables upset,
although I am definitely going on a hunch here.  Like everyone else, our net
traffic has increased substantially over the past months which may be a
contributing factor (shouldn't bridges keep up with a loaded network?).

Has anyone else had problems like this?  I know of no way to tell for sure
that the bridge is to blame other than to swap it out with another and see
if the problem recurs (yuck!).  How do other people debug such problems?
--
Tom Davis                 | The above statement shall be construed,
Network Software Services | interpreted, and governed by me alone.
Michigan State University | EMail: tdd@convex.cl.msu.edu