APX Here's a head-scratcher...

[wa8pyr]

Got a micro-desktop computer which I use for programming at work. It used to be on the domain but got replaced with a new one; it was easier to keep the old box for programming rather than try to reinstall all of the programs on the new one (plus I have admin rights on the old one but not the new one).

So, now I have two micro-desktop computers with a KVM switch to go back and forth; one is on the work network and domain, and the programming box is on a totally separate network connection (Spectrum internet) with no domain.

However.... when the programming box got removed from the domain, APX radios stopped working with APX CPS. Connect the radio and the computer makes it's happy little "ba-dink" USB noise, but that's it. Try read or write from CPS and it's no go. It's only when I disconnect the network cable and turn on WiFi that the radio will connect to the computer.

Our network guys and I have puzzled over it for awhile and can't figure out what's wrong. Since radios connect when the wired network is disconnected and wifi turned on it seems to be something to do with DHCP or DNS, but we're at a loss.

Anybody got a suggestion?

 

[littona]

Just curious if there is any other software on that computer that could be interfering. Our security guys thought they could implement USB port blocking via Crowdstrike and not affect anyone. The intent was to block USB storage devices, but it also killed radio programming.

 

[vagrant]

It sounds like an IP/subnet issue. That issue may be influenced by a firewall, VPN or the like. I experienced that when my 7k would not connect and I forgot I left the VPN running.

 

[wa8pyr]

Just curious if there is any other software on that computer that could be interfering. Our security guys thought they could implement USB port blocking via Crowdstrike and not affect anyone. The intent was to block USB storage devices, but it also killed radio programming.

Nope. Prior to this (when it was still on the work network) it worked like a charm; the problem only started when they removed it from the domain. The work IT guys pretty much leave the programming box to me.

I just checked the interface settings against those on my laptop (also not on the domain) and they're identical.

In theory it should be working.

It sounds like an IP/subnet issue. That issue may be influenced by a firewall, VPN or the like. I experienced that when my 7k would not connect and I forgot I left the VPN running.

No VPN on this box so that's not the issue. I don't think there's a separate firewall on this network other than what's in the basic router, but you may be on to something; I just tried to connect my laptop (also not on the domain) to the same wired network, and the same thing happens.

 

[tweiss3]

Check firewall settings? Shouldn't the radio show up as another network connection? Does it? Is it a private or a public network (network & sharing center)?

 

[wa8pyr]

Check firewall settings? Shouldn't the radio show up as another network connection? Does it? Is it a private or a public network (network & sharing center)?

When I disconnect the wired network, yes; the radios do connect as another network connection. This network connection is basically the same thing you would have in your home and in fact, is the same company and type of connection I have at home a few miles away (but I don't have this problem at home).

And I should clarify that everything starts working fine when I disconnect the wired network, whether WiFi is running or not.

 

[belvdr]

Would you willing to post an ipconfig from:

1. Wired network only, no radio
2. Disable wired and connect your radio

 

[GTR8000]

I've experienced the reverse, where a remote PC (using TeamViewer or Splashtop) will disconnect from the LAN when an APX is connected. I fixed it by tinkering around with the IPv4 Interface Metric values, rather than leaving it set to Automatic. It's been years, don't quite recall what I did, but in my case I probably made the LAN connection 1 so it had priority.

 

[eorange]

Security policies can differ depending on whether you're wifi or network connected.

 

[wa8pyr]

Would you willing to post an ipconfig from:

1. Wired network only, no radio
2. Disable wired and connect your radio

Without radio:
Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19045.3448]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Tom>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Ethernet 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::9396:71d8:39c9:3b56%20
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.23
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.1

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi 2:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : routerlogin.net

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 11:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 12:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

With radio:
C:\Users\Tom>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Ethernet 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::9396:71d8:39c9:3b56%20
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.23
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.1

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi 2:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : routerlogin.net

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 11:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 12:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Ethernet adapter Ethernet 5:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c5ba:b524:e4dc:51ac%46
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.1

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Network disconnected, with radio:

C:\Users\Tom>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Ethernet 2:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi 2:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : routerlogin.net

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 11:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 12:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Ethernet adapter Ethernet 5:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c5ba:b524:e4dc:51ac%46
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.1

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

 

[belvdr]

Without radio:
Ethernet adapter Ethernet 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::9396:71d8:39c9:3b56%20
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.23
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.1

With radio:
Ethernet adapter Ethernet 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::9396:71d8:39c9:3b56%20
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.23
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.1

Ethernet adapter Ethernet 5:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c5ba:b524:e4dc:51ac%46
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.1

Network disconnected, with radio:
Ethernet adapter Ethernet 5:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c5ba:b524:e4dc:51ac%46
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.1

You have an IP conflict between the adapters. Unnecessary lines removed from quote. Essentially, you're using 192.168.128.0/24 for the radio network and your wired network. In the quote "Ethernet 2" is your wired NIC and "Ethernet 5" is your radio network.

 

[mikewazowski]

A route print statement would probably show the conflict as well.

 

[wa8pyr]

You have an IP conflict between the adapters. Unnecessary lines removed from quote. Essentially, you're using 192.168.128.0/24 for the radio network and your wired network. In the quote "Ethernet 2" is your wired NIC and "Ethernet 5" is your radio network.

Odd. It all works fine at home with a similar setup. More to the point, it worked fine before the computer was removed from the domain. Could it be something in the router end?

I'll have to try manually changing the Network 5 IP address tomorrow just to see what happens.

 

[belvdr]

Odd. It all works fine at home with a similar setup. More to the point, it worked fine before the computer was removed from the domain. Could it be something in the router end?

I'll have to try manually changing the Network 5 IP address tomorrow just to see what happens.

If you want to send similar ipconfigs when you’re at home I can verify and suggest a different setup for the radio network.

Was there any security software removed or is there any network access control software on the computer?

 

[merlin]

Years back I worked a machine shop. My workstation ran CAD/CAM software. Locally installed.
After an upgrade, I got the computer. Now the CAM software gripes "no key found" and won't start.
The "KEY" was a dongle plugged into the server, then networked to the workstations.
Sounds like you are in a similar situation. Some security issue on the server you no longer have access to.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Years back I worked a machine shop. My workstation ran CAD/CAM software. Locally installed.
After an upgrade, I got the computer. Now the CAM software gripes "no key found" and won't start.
The "KEY" was a dongle plugged into the server, then networked to the workstations.
Sounds like you are in a similar situation. Some security issue on the server you no longer have access to.

There was a company that made a product called SAFEKEY that was basically a printer port card withe a memory. You plugged your Rainbow Technology "dongle" into it, ran a small program and a memory chip stored the security code. Then you could remove and lock up the dongle safely away.

 

[belvdr]

Years back I worked a machine shop. My workstation ran CAD/CAM software. Locally installed.
After an upgrade, I got the computer. Now the CAM software gripes "no key found" and won't start.
The "KEY" was a dongle plugged into the server, then networked to the workstations.
Sounds like you are in a similar situation. Some security issue on the server you no longer have access to.

My hunch is security software, since the IP is in question and the software works when on a different network or no network at all. Many companies deploy network access control. When a system is unauthenticated to the network, it sits in a very restricted subnet that can only access a very small set of resources used to authenticate. Once you're authenticated, your system moves to a less restrictive subnet, thus your IP changes.

While an older technology, it works fairly well. These days, this is being replaced by zero trust network access, and your IP scheme needs no changing.

 

[BinaryMode]

Check if it's the difference between a private or public network. By default, a disconnected Ethernet adapter with no Internet access is a public network...

 

[belvdr]

@wa8pyr How did this turn out?

 

[wa8pyr]

@wa8pyr How did this turn out?

It's on hold at the moment; I've got a dozen other things that have popped up at work right now. I'll get back on it as soon as I can.