QNAP NAS causing Intermittent DSL disconnects

warrenpeace1970

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Jan 20, 2018
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I recently purchased a QNAP TS-563 NAS, using 5 WD RED 3 TB drives, and upgraded to 16GB of ram. I am using both ethernet ports with the factory cables connected directly to port 3 and 4 of my Frontier/ARRIS ADSL router. I have a CAT6 cable running to my computer desk, plugged into a 4 port NETGEAR ethernet switch that has 3 computers connected to it. My internet connection is Frontier DSL using an ARRIS NV443bg Modem/Router with current firmware, and with a 20 MB down and 1 MB up connection.

Shortly after setting up my NAS, my internet connection started constantly disconnecting/reconnecting. I didn't realize that the NAS was causing this problem initially, nor did I associate the problem/timing. This problem was happening at least 1 time per hour for at least 6 weeks. I thought initially that maybe the old phone lines in our neighborhood and the cold/wet rain and snowy weather was a factor, and I just haven't had that much time to worry about it due to my recent work schedule.

I have had issues many times in the past with Frontier, and with DSL in general, and unfortunately have no other options for internet at this time unless I want to pay 3000 dollars to have fiber ran to my house (from a block away... that's another story).....

Now, the reason all of this has me so pissed off, is because I play EVERQUEST during my limited free time, (an MMORPG), on 3 computers simultaneously, and I'm about to rip my hair out because ever 30-60 minutes I'm being disconnected, which means I have to log BACK in on all 3 accounts, and hope that whatever I was doing, (or not doing because I'm disconnected) hasn't gotten my characters all killed in the game, causing me at least 20 minutes to get myself back to state I was in when I lost my connection.

Prior to this problem existing, it was rare that I ever logged out of the game, even when I was not actively playing or at work. Sometimes my characters would be logged in for DAYS at a time without issue.


To troubleshoot the problem, I initially changed the Ethernet cable running from my modem/router to the 4-port switch on my desk to an almost new cat6, known-working cable. THEN….

1. I disconnected all but one computer and the NAS. Problem still exists.
2. Swapped to an older/known working actiontec ADSL Modem with 1 computer and the NAS. Problem still exists.
3. Disabled WI-FI with NAS still connected and 1 computer. Problem still exists.
4. Disabled UPnP in the router. Problem still exists.
5. Disabled Firewall in the router. Problem still exists.
6. Changed the Telephone Cable running from the wall Jack to the Router. Problem still exists.
7. Called my ISP (Frontier) and had them run a line check. No issues found. Problem still exists.
8. Shut down ALL computers and disabled WI-FI. Nas still connected and kept watching the lights on the router/modem. Problem still exists.

THEN... FINALLY....

I disconnected the 2 CAT5 cables from the NAS to the ADSL modem. Turned on my 3 gaming computers and enabled WI-FI which serves 5 Cell phones, 2 Amazon Fire Sticks, My DISH Satellite Receiver and 3 Joeys, as well as 2 Laptops that are frequently using wi-fi, and my fourth computer (runs a IRC program 24/7) which was plugged into the 4th port on my DSL router up until the problem started a few weeks back.

I then logged into Everquest at roughly 10 PM last night. Played for 3 hours, no disconnects.. Woke up at 8 AM this morning, and all 3 of my Everquest characters are STILL logged in which means my connection hasn't dropped now for 10 straight hours. Got on the computers and chatted with some in-game friends until 9 AM when I left for work…. Everything still connected and stable.

About 8 months ago, I installed a Similar Model QNAP Nas at work with nearly the same apps and plex media server running with a FiOS internet connection, with the NAS connected to a server rack that has (4) 24 port switches worth of stuff in the building connected, and have had NO issues. In fact, our server UP-Time is now at 30+ days, including the NAS, and a 25-Line Digital Phone system with phones at 2 remote locations AND running 11 security cameras using the Surveillance Station APP 24/7.

Other than my recent experience with a NAS at work, I am new to the world of NAS units but consider myself pretty tech savvy. (Been doing this since windows 3.11)

This problem has certainly come up for other people, and while I’m stubborn and proficient at searching out issues online, this one has truly evaded me.

If ANYBODY has had this problem before, PLEASE for the LOVE OF all mankind.... Tell me what you did to fix it.
 
Solution
The multiple network ports on your NAS are to support Port Aggregation. If your Router does not support port aggregation and/or is not configured for it that could be a problem. Too, my experience with DSL has not been good.


I was under the impression that transfer speeds were better if you used both connections simultaneously.
 


Nooooooo.
That may indeed be the issue.

It needs specific firmware and software at both ends for link bonding.
 


Okay, I'm going to go home at lunch and plug just one in, and see if it solves the issue. After doing some reading, I see that the ports can be configured to increase transfer speeds in high-traffic situations by changing a few settings and bonding the 2 ports, however... based on what I'm using my NAS for, it's likely I'll never need it. I really hope this was just a poor learning experience on my part. Thanks.

 


Right.
The QNAP can (I have one too, TS-453A), your router almost certainly not.

It does exactly zero for talking to the outside world.
 


 
The multiple network ports on your NAS are to support Port Aggregation. If your Router does not support port aggregation and/or is not configured for it that could be a problem. Too, my experience with DSL has not been good.
 
Solution