long-time reader first-time poster.
I managed a network of 70 odd PCs connected to 3x different network switches (3 buildings all next door to each other).
Looks like this:
BUILDING 1 SWITCH -> BUILDING 2 SWITCH -> BUILDING 3 SWITCH
BUILDING 3 is where the router and main server are.
So, yes, a PC in building one has to go through building 2's switch to get to the server or internet gateway in building 3.
Now, weirdness, we have a device in building 2 (a PABX) that can be accessed and pinged from building's 1 & 2 no worries. In building 3, however, it will respond to 1x ping request and then nothing. Destination host unreachable the whole way.
Everything else seems find and this is the only device we cannot access (or know that we cannot access) in the whole network.
My suspicion is that we could have a device IP conflict on the switch in building 3 - so traffic in building 1 and 2 is fine as it finds the correct device before it makes it to building 3. I am going to spend a little time unplugging and replugging cables in building 3 and testing that way, but other than an IP conflict I'll admit I'm a little lost as to what else could cause this? MAC conflict perhaps?
Just wondering if anyone out there has experienced anything like this? Ideas?
Thanks! -Scott