Networking issue

andyfest · December 02, 2022, 11:50:27 AM

I haven't put a Mac on a network for several years now, and I don't remember it being difficult to map to a server, but I'm having an issue with one of the iMacs at the place I'm working at now. It's running 10.14.6 Mojave. No internet connectivity all of a sudden. Wireless showed a connection and ethernet showed a connection to the network. However, no internet. Tried copying a link to the NAS from one of the other iMacs but no luck - like I was Ethernet connected (green light on the Network system preference) but not on the network. Couldn't access the internet via wireless which was also a green light. Replaced DNS addresses with 8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4 to no avail. Finally pulled the Ethernet cable and was able to access internet via wireless. Doesn't really help with the network connection though as i need to be able to contact the NAS for files. Any ideas?

Joe · December 02, 2022, 12:05:58 PM

Are you using DHCP or manually entering the info for ethernet?

andyfest · December 02, 2022, 12:08:52 PM

Quote from: Joe on December 02, 2022, 12:05:58 PMAre you using DHCP or manually entering the info for ethernet?

I was using DHCP with no success Joe, then tried using manual entries for IP address, subnet mask and router. Nothing worked though Network prefs showed me connected.

Joe · December 02, 2022, 12:35:46 PM

And you are sure the IP address for the subnet and router is correct? If so have you tried rebooting the router? Also have you checked the ethernet cable to this Mac? Though if it were bad you probably won't get the green light. Also you can delete the ethernet port in your network preferences and then add it back in and try the new one.

David · December 02, 2022, 01:30:15 PM

andyfest, can you ping the server from the Mac?

andyfest · December 02, 2022, 01:55:51 PM

Quote from: Joe on December 02, 2022, 12:35:46 PMAnd you are sure the IP address for the subnet and router is correct? If so have you tried rebooting the router? Also have you checked the ethernet cable to this Mac? Though if it were bad you probably won't get the green light. Also you can delete the ethernet port in your network preferences and then add it back in and try the new one.

I used the same IP for the subnet that is on all of the network computers and used the router address I got from the other iMacs. It was different than the one on the trouble iMac, although it is routed through a desktop switch in the back office. Not sure if that would change the router address as I'm kinda flying in the dark in this area.

andyfest · December 02, 2022, 02:01:45 PM

I just hooked a Windows laptop up to the Ethernet cable back there and it found the NAS server right away, so at least I know the cable is good. Must be an issue with the IMac or the settings I guess.

Joe · December 02, 2022, 02:05:07 PM

How are you trying to connect to the NAS from the Mac?

Joe · December 02, 2022, 02:08:09 PM

Also as David suggested...try to ping the NAS from the Mac and see if it can see it.

David · December 02, 2022, 02:08:38 PM

check to make sure the IP address you are using is not already used by something else. It could be a conflict.
I use an app called Angry IP Scanner, it's free and will scan your network and show IP address, Mac address, and manufacturer. If your IP doesn't show up with the name of the Mac next to it, it may be in use by another machine.

andyfest · December 02, 2022, 03:35:43 PM

Quote from: David on December 02, 2022, 02:08:38 PMcheck to make sure the IP address you are using is not already used by something else. It could be a conflict.
I use an app called Angry IP Scanner, it's free and will scan your network and show IP address, Mac address, and manufacturer. If your IP doesn't show up with the name of the Mac next to it, it may be in use by another machine.

Thanks guys. I'll try your suggestions on Monday. I'm thinking about turning the wireless off, plugging in the Ethernet, setting the TCP/IP back to automatic and restarting the Mac. I copied the alias for the NAS from one of the other macs and I'll see if it goes thru. It didn't work before. I'll try to ping the NAS first before I try anything. I'll also download that app David - thanks.

Joe · December 02, 2022, 03:49:53 PM

It may help to create a hosts file on the Mac with the NAS listed in it. On my old work iMac running running Mojave I had a lot of trouble connecting to network computers if they were not listed in the iMac hosts file.

andyfest · December 03, 2022, 04:07:38 PM

Quote from: Joe on December 02, 2022, 03:49:53 PMIt may help to create a hosts file on the Mac with the NAS listed in it. On my old work iMac running running Mojave I had a lot of trouble connecting to network computers if they were not listed in the iMac hosts file.

This iMac could be updated to 10.15 Catalina. Do you think that would help Joe?

Joe · December 03, 2022, 07:01:01 PM

It did for me but it won't help if it is a hardware issue. If you are using any 32-bit software on Mojave it won't work on Catalina so beware of that before upgrading it.

Also you should always use hosts files on a Mac no matter what OS you are running.

andyfest · December 04, 2022, 02:16:27 PM

Quote from: Joe on December 03, 2022, 07:01:01 PMIt did for me but it won't help if it is a hardware issue. If you are using any 32-bit software on Mojave it won't work on Catalina so beware of that before upgrading it.

Also you should always use hosts files on a Mac no matter what OS you are running.

I don't think there is any "old" software on that particular box. Right now it's really only being used for some online accounting, but they are thinking of hiring another designer so it needs to be incorporated into the local network and will likely get loaded with some version of Adobe CC for Illy and PShop. As far as the host file it's editable in Terminal?

News:

Networking issue