okay guys I'm pretty sure that I have this one figured out but I just want to get a second opinion. I have Verizon FIOS 25/25mbit internet with a Westell 9100EM gateway. Every so often when I am downloading something (just letting it go with no bandwidth limitations) my network adapter seems to just lock up on me, but I can still get internet access from any of the other connected systems. And if I disconnect the network cable from either the switch or back of the computer and re connect it everything goes back to normal.

Originally this started happening when I re-installed steam and didn't set my internet speed properly and would get kicked off the servers, with the above problem. Which is why I think I am flooding the NAT table, however looking into the system and security logs I can't seem to find anything that points to this happening.

I little more info:

I use a single cable from the gateway to my 24 port gigabit switch which then goes to my wireless AP, printer, and other systems.

Now everything that is WIRED on my network has a static IP assigned to it

i.e.

Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Main Computer: 192.168.1.2
Wireless AP: 192.168.1.3

and so forth so they correlate to the ports on the switch and I only need to configure port forwarding once.

Everything that is WIRELESS is assigned via DHCP since I don't have many port forwarding needs on my wireless systems

anyone now how I can prove this theory, or am I overlooking something?

obviously networking isn't my strong suit, I know how to run cable and connect equipment but know nothing about the technical stuff

mmm Me thinks that IF ya don't let it go flat out but bring it back to say 90% may stop it from Bottle necking the net. Whats your DHCP range?

on both the router and my wireless AP its

Gateway: 192.168.1.1

starting IP 192.168.1.2
subnet: 255.255.255.0

so technically I have no limit on the IP ranges, but again I mostly assign ips for wired connection (have only 7-8) and let my wireless clients battle it out (only have 3-4)

may i ask what your maximum half-open connections, maximum total connections, maximum outgoing/inbound connections are in your torrent?

your max upload speed will easily affect other computer's connection, but typically a disconnect or "flood" will happen if these connection settings are far too high

well that's the thing maz, I had all the settings set to unlimited. I since changed them to:

max upload: 2432 kB/s

Max Download: Unlimited

Global Max Connections: 850

Max Peers per Torrent: 125

Upload slots per Torrent: 30

which are the settings utorrent suggested after running its built in speed test

850 is still a lot, i would suggest something more modest (no offense to you but micro-torrent is full of garbage with their automatic settings)

personally i run a 30mbps connection and do fine with 125 max global, 50 per torrent and 30 upload slots never had a down router, slow speeds or anything

if you are running 20 or more torrents, i'd still suggest running this and setup a good queueing system to make them download say 4 at a time and seed maybe 6 though i'm not sure what options utorrent has for such things

Well lets see I have 5.5Mbt down and ~ 800Kbt up not much but does a "goodish" job. mmm
Now I set my Utorrent to max up @ 30KBts, down Max, connections 200, connected peers per torrent 100, upload slots 4, active torrents 20, ratio = " your setting", seed time after meeting ratio 5 Min, now I have been tweaking this for a long time so I can down load as fast as I can in my OFF PEAK period then it can upload at leisure " not included in my quota " also have to allow my family access to the Net, anyway hope this helps "I found if I increased my upload to much the download was really affected, was not worried once downloaded could watch or use the "Data" till it completed the job. Awww if I had more torrents than the Max set the others are queued till one is finished then they would download ETC.

i have the same router. however i dont have that big of a switch. i use a 4 port cisco switch with an uplink from the WAN.
perhaps your switch is the issue. you are not using 24 ports are you? get yourself a smaller switch. youd be amazed what
stupid circuitry can do to your network. if you have a buddy with spare switches ask him to borrow one and test.

you dont need a 24 port if you only use 1 or 2. i have my fios router and uplink from my ethernet port to the switch.....
and run all my comps from the switch and i have no problems. your fios kicks my ass though lol.
i have 30/5. trail and error man. try different hardware. do not single out until you find perfection.

The Main reason I have for the 24 port version, is because I also have some IP Cameras I'm still installing, that and 24 was the smallest I could get in a smart Switch, so I can Vlan any client machines I'm working on. However I switched over to the same settings as you maz and I haven't had any problems.

having more "circuitry" does not cause problems in 24 port SWITCHES. however if you had a hub, then you would have this issue, since a hub will mirror traffic on all ports, whereas a smart switch (such as yours) only sends traffic to the port required and possible a single mirrored port if there is a setting for it and it's on

glad to hear it's working for you :)