Need help: lightning damage?

[c3k]

Folks,

A few days ago, a massive storm came through. My neighbor had an electrical discharge shoot from an unused outlet. My house lost power and had some damage. More in a bit...

My network runs as follows:

FIOS BOX -> Ooma Internet Phone -> Router (Asus RT-AC66U) -> Switch (D-link DGS-1024D) -> Devices.

The lightning storm burned out the FIOS box's 12v "wall wart". We had that replaced and everything seemed good. Except for my printer. It's an Ethernet connected HP L7680. The router had it assigned (via the DHCP menu) to a fixed TCP/IP address. Now, it's invisible and I cannot access it.

My router gateway is 192.168.0.1
My subnet is 255.255.255.0
I have manually assigned the printer (via its on-screen menu) to 192.168.0.011 (with the same gateway and subnet as listed, above).

The Ethernet port on the printer is green (connected) and flashing yellow (network activity).

Yet, the router does NOT list it as being connected.

Is my router fried? I don't think so... I can access the router via the 192.168.0.1 URL, and all the menus seem normal. The rest of my devices (several computers, a linked Bluray player, internet TV, etc.) all work. The one hangup seems to be the printer. Yet, it seems "okay" based on the blinking lights. If I connect it directly to a computer via a USB cable, the printer is fine. (That requires a computer to "share" the printer. I want a network printer, not a shared printer.)

Manually entering the MAC address into the router still does not let the router "see" the printer.

What device is not working, the router or the printer?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[coxhaus]

I have seen weird stuff happen with lightening. I had only a few ports burn out on a switch before. Is it possible the printer needs to be setup with the router's DHCP for the router recognize it? Maybe you should set a reservation in DHCP by MAC for the printer so it will receive a DHCP IP address of 192.168.0.11. Has the router already assigned an IP address of 192.168.0.11 to something else? Check the MAC address in the router list against the printer MAC on the printer. You should be able to ping the printer on the net as long as there is not a duplicate IP address on your network.

 

[System Error Message]

Another case of didnt use a surge protector. As usual computer equipment needs it as it not only protects against lightning but the common problems that appear in the electricity supplied to homes and sudden interrupts.

You might want to try reinstalling your router's firmware.

 

[c3k]

I have seen weird stuff happen with lightening. I had only a few ports burn out on a switch before. Is it possible the printer needs to be setup with the router's DHCP for the router recognize it? Maybe you should set a reservation in DHCP by MAC for the printer so it will receive a DHCP IP address of 192.168.0.11. Has the router already assigned an IP address of 192.168.0.11 to something else? Check the MAC address in the router list against the printer MAC on the printer. You should be able to ping the printer on the net as long as there is not a duplicate IP address on your network.

The router MAC address is not visible to the router...even when directly plugged into it (and showing green and flashing yellow Ethernet lights and the Router showing flashing lights for the port to the printer).

The router otherwise seems to work.

I cannot ping the printer, since the router doesn't see it.

 

[c3k]

Another case of didnt use a surge protector. As usual computer equipment needs it as it not only protects against lightning but the common problems that appear in the electricity supplied to homes and sudden interrupts.

You might want to try reinstalling your router's firmware.

SEM; well, you'd be wrong. But thanks for the surge protector comment anyway.

 

[KenZ71]

If the surge comes in via the Internet line (cable / dsl) your SOL. True you can put a filter on the feed line but that kills the signal quality.

 

[System Error Message]

Some surge protectors also have inputs for DSL lines.

 

[TonyH]

Another case of didnt use a surge protector. As usual computer equipment needs it as it not only protects against lightning but the common problems that appear in the electricity supplied to homes and sudden interrupts.

You might want to try reinstalling your router's firmware.

Tried different Ethernet cable and port on the router?
Can printer run self test? Prints test page alright?
Tried to ping the printer? What is printer status saying, connected or not?

 

[Cloud200]

If the surge comes in via the Internet line (cable / dsl) your SOL. True you can put a filter on the feed line but that kills the signal quality.

There are surge protectors for ethernet.
Install as such;
Cable line-----Cable modem-----Surge protector-----Router

Worst case scenario the cable modem and surge protector are fried instead of the rest of your network.
A few options that exist on the market;
https://www.ubnt.com/accessories/ethernet-surge-protector/
http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=pnet1gb
http://www.l-com.com/content/Data_Line_Protector_Comparison.html

 

[c3k]

Tried different Ethernet cable and port on the router?
Can printer run self test? Prints test page alright?
Tried to ping the printer? What is printer status saying, connected or not?

Can't ping the printer. When hooked up via Ethernet (with a manual network setting and fixed IP address), the router doesn't see it. Router doesn't see it irregardless of how I configure it or how I list it in the router. Invisible to my router and anything on my LAN.

The printer seems fully functional when hooked up via USB cable.

The rest of my network seems okay.

The printer Ethernet port seems to be working. Blinking lights, lol.

I want to make sure my manual network settings will get it recognized by the router.

Router's LAN address is 192.168.0.1 The DHCP table is 192.168.02 through 192.168.254 Subnet is 255.255.255.0

I've manually set the printer to: Gateway 192.168.0.1 (The router's address)
Subnet on printer is set to 255.255.255.0
IP address set to 192.168.0.011 (I've reserved 192.168.0.2-10 for network devices like WAP, etc.)

The only question I have is whether the printer 's gateway should be set to match the router's IP address.

Thanks,
Ken

PS: the only network wire coming INTO the house is a fiber optic line. Kinda hard to push electricity through a glass fiber. Everything is on surge protector.

Edited to add: I'm leaning towards a bad printer NIC. I have no idea if it can be fixed if it's bad. I want to make sure my network can see it if it's alive. The lights are what keep me wondering. Green for plugged in and pulsing/changing yellow light for activity. No error codes at all.

 

[sfx2000]

Another case of didnt use a surge protector. As usual computer equipment needs it as it not only protects against lightning but the common problems that appear in the electricity supplied to homes and sudden interrupts.

I've seen lighting do really odd stuff - and few years back had a direct hit, and not only did it blow the surge protector, it blew out everything behind it... and pretty much wrecked all my low voltage wiring in the house..

Lucky for me that between homeowner's insurance and a guarantee from the surge protector vendor, I was made whole...

One thing to OP - test your cables as well as your network interfaces on your equipment - can get a good cable tester for less than 5 bucks on the Amazon... you might still have damaged equipment, even though it appears to work correctly most of the time, or some features don't work - if you have insurance, put in a claim..

 

[coxhaus]

Can't ping the printer. When hooked up via Ethernet (with a manual network setting and fixed IP address), the router doesn't see it. Router doesn't see it irregardless of how I configure it or how I list it in the router. Invisible to my router and anything on my LAN.


Router's LAN address is 192.168.0.1 The DHCP table is 192.168.02 through 192.168.254 Subnet is 255.255.255.0

I've manually set the printer to: Gateway 192.168.0.1 (The router's address)
Subnet on printer is set to 255.255.255.0
IP address set to 192.168.0.011 (I've reserved 192.168.0.2-10 for network devices like WAP, etc.)

If you reserved the first 10 IP addresses for network devices then I would say 192.168.0.11 is already assigned by your router DHCP to another client. I would say you have a duplicate IP address. You cannot guarantee which client is going to get the first IP address assigned by your router. You have to set a reservation by MAC to control who gets what IP address. Try assigning a higher IP address like 192.168.0.250 on the printer.

 

[System Error Message]

I've seen lighting do really odd stuff - and few years back had a direct hit, and not only did it blow the surge protector, it blew out everything behind it... and pretty much wrecked all my low voltage wiring in the house..

Lucky for me that between homeowner's insurance and a guarantee from the surge protector vendor, I was made whole...

One thing to OP - test your cables as well as your network interfaces on your equipment - can get a good cable tester for less than 5 bucks on the Amazon... you might still have damaged equipment, even though it appears to work correctly most of the time, or some features don't work - if you have insurance, put in a claim..

many surge protectors now have claims up to a certain value if your equipment gets destroyed.

 

[sfx2000]

many surge protectors now have claims up to a certain value if your equipment gets destroyed.

indeed they do... I didn't mention any by name, as it's really up to them..

 

[stevech]

Lucky for me that between homeowner's insurance and a guarantee from the surge protector vendor, I was made whole....

Insurance company told me that homeowner's policy needed an add-on rider policy to cover damage to computer gear. If you work at home, they gouge you for even more. Without the rider, at least this company says "no coverage".

years back, we were in a home served by a pole (not underground). On a hillside. A strike hit the pole. Energy went down the TV coax and melted copper PCB traces in the box to which it connected. Stopped there - TV undamaged. But today, my home's wiring is not so simple. But in today's home, my utilities are underground.

 

[CaptainSTX]

But in today's home, my utilities are underground.

FYI Lightning can travel on underground utilities. Lightning does flow from earth to clouds.

That is why you still need grounding blocks where UG cables enter a building.

 

[coxhaus]

I have an 8 foot copper rod in the ground by my breaker box that the breaker box is grounded to. But I think if the lightening strike is close enough there is not much which will save you.

 

[Cloud200]

I have an 8 foot copper rod in the ground by my breaker box that the breaker box is grounded to. But I think if the lightening strike is close enough there is not much which will save you.

You could install a lightning rod as well to a dedicated ground.

 

[sfx2000]

Insurance company told me that homeowner's policy needed an add-on rider policy to cover damage to computer gear. If you work at home, they gouge you for even more. Without the rider, at least this company says "no coverage"

Very good point - depending on the policy, you might need a rider - talk to the agent.

Work from Home falls into two camps, BTW, one being a telecommuter from some company, and the other is self-employed (such as a consultant/contractor) - and again, make sure you're covered one way or another - in my case as a telecommuter/remote, company covers their gear and my network (not my personal gear) - when I was an independent consultant, I had specific equipment covered as part of my company's policy... different parts of the country have different risks, for me it's primarily fire and theft...

Having good power conditioning (UPS and Surge) is important period - whether hobbyist, telecommuter, or consultant - not just the main power, but also the low voltage items like ethernet/coax/phone.

If one is in a lightning prone area, good grounds and lightning rods are a worthwhile investment, and watch the demarcs (what is yours vs. the operators) and ensure that good protection is there as well..

Going back to OP's post - good chance that something on his low voltage side was blown - e.g. it powers up, but it's not seen on the network, and that could be anything from the NIC failing on the device to a blown CAT5 cable to a bad port on the switch or router... so if normal troubleshooting/debug isn't successful at solving the issue, it's probably broken..

 

[coxhaus]

You could install a lightning rod as well to a dedicated ground.

My 8 foot cooper rod is my dedicated ground for my house as it is at my main breaker box where the power comes into my house. My understanding is you are only suppose to have one main ground as 2 can cause problems.