Only 100Mbps Full Duplex on Gigabit LAN

Hello,

I have a network of cat 6 (all Cable, patch panel, sockets, plugs etc... on cat 6). I have some 10 computers using D-Link Gigabit NIC and an unmanaged Gigabit D-Link Switch. The problem is that when the nics are set to auto-negotiation, windows says that the cable is unplugged but when set to 100 Mbps Full duplex, everything runs fine! Forcing the nics to run on 1000Mbps will cause windows to detect the cable as unplugged again.

All crimping, patching have been made on T568A.

I have noticed that when I lift up the patch cords (which usually lie on the floor) coming from the wall socket to the nics, it runs on gigabit (when nic set manually to giga), it looses connection again when dropped.

This could have been due to bad crimping or wires damaged inside, loose connection at wall socket or NIC etc... but the same error cannot be reproduced at 100Mbps.

any input appreciated,

thanks

What are the cable run lengths? Was the termination done professionally? Is wire twist maintained to within 1/2" of the termination? You don't really need cat6 for gigabit. If you are having issues with even 100mbps then you probably have faulty wiring. You could try replacing one of the D-Link NICs to see if the problem goes away, just because it's easier than replacing cabling, but I doubt it's the NIC, especially if you have 10 with the same issue.

Is this for a business? You can probably save yourself some trouble by having a local professional come in and put a Fluke on one of the cables. If there's somthing wrong with it, he'll be able to tell you exactly what it is.

I thought you said that you were having to manually set the link speed to get 100mbps working. Since the switch is unmanaged, there's nothing much you can check there. I'd try substituting in a NIC from another manufacturer to see what happens. Cat6 is trickier to terminate than cat5. Your only real option at this point is to try the different NIC. If that doesn't help then you have to assume it's either the cabling or the switch. I have a D-Link gigabit switch and never had any problem similar to this, so I don't think it's the switch.

remember with gb you use all 8 wires on 10/100mb you use 4. a problem with the other 4 wires would not show with 100mb. I noticed you used a instead of b thats ok but industry standard is b. try recrimping the ones with trouble.