Internet access keeps cutting out during the day (peak periods)

[SteveB_NI]

Hoping if someone could give me some advise here...

 

Our network has up to 170 desktop computers / laptops, and around 10 ipads / phones connected at the same time. This hasn't changed since last year, when the Internet connection worked perfectly, but issues have crept in for the past fortnight.

 

At peak times (i.e. straight after break time, and lunch time) the BT Infinity router (business hub 3) light for broadband goes from blue to solid red. All devices in the school lose connection & CensorNet complains about having no hostname / DNS lookup. Once I physically switch off the router and switch it back on - the blue broadband light switches back on again & everything starts working throughout the site immediately.

 

I replaced the BT Infinity business hub 3 on Tuesday & there was no issues until this morning, but then again Wednesdays are very light use days.

 

There has been no extra equipment added, and the only thing that really has changed has been the CensorNet software upgrade but that was done mid August.

 

The connection layout is: workstations connect with Gateway set as Censornet proxy server. The censornet server then obtains Internet access from our BT Infinity router. The BT router is plugged into the network switch and the Censornet server is in another part of the school connected to the cabinet in that area of the school.

 

The only thing I'm thinking is if the censornet server and BT router are on the same switch would that make much difference?

 

Thanks in advance

[SteveB_NI]

Following on from the above I have worked out that it usually drops whenever the iMacs (all recently updated to Yosemite) are woken from sleep and users log in.

 

Is it possible for the network to be flooded / slowed down due to Apple automatic update?

[FN-GM]

Its not likely because devises are on separate switches.

 

Its most probably the router not managing with the volume of traffic, a cause could be the macs yes. You do have a lot of devices for a basic router like that, I would dump that BT router and get something else. You just get another and plug it into the white BT Openread box (below). Use a proper enterprise product not a cheap router. When you plug into that white box you will get a public IP assigned automatically. You just need to setup NAT. Make sure the NAT configuration is setup to the physical interface and not the public IP you get assigned at the time. It might change.

 

As a quick test un plug your router and plug a laptop into the white box to see if you get a public IP automatically.

 

 

You could install PFsense onto some computer hardware with a few NIC's installed. It will do your firewall and routing all on one box. If you already have a Firewall separate you might be able to use that? If not you can pickup good Cisco routers off the internet fairly cheap these days.

Edited October 5, 2015 by FN-GM

[SteveB_NI]

Thanks FN-GM - I've been thinking it may be worthwhile looking into PFsense - does that work ok in combo with BT Infinity?

 

I've also found a DrayTek Vigor 2860n ADSL/VDSL Wireless Router - is this more powerful than the supplied BT business hub 3?

[FN-GM]

does that work ok in combo with BT Infinity?

 

Yes will be fine. That Ethernet port on the white box is just a standard IPv4 connection. Just with a public IP address. All the BT router does is convert it from Public IP to Private IP (maybe with a basic firewall and WIFI).

 

I wouldn't go with the DrayTek. 1 Its for ADSL and you are on fibre. 2. It may struggle again.

 

For the size of that network you want to steer away from these consumer products.

[ReBoot]

I use a Draytek 2830 at my primary school with an Openreach modem. The 2830 can deliver up to 90mbps and it works well on our FTTC connection which achieves over 70mbps. Its been very stable and has been in service for over a year now. Bought used on eBay for around £50 - at this price I keep a spare !

 

The 2860 can deliver up to 200mpbs and has the FTTC modem built in like the BT Hub.

 

I think the Drayteks are a good bet - definitely better than a home hub and they can be configured for most scenarios you will meet in a small school. I have static routes configured on mine which work fine.