SR203 random resets and lots of UNKNOWN devices

[Dingzap]

I have the Sky SR203 router as part of the SuperFast Broadband service. When I first got it I'd had lots of issues with instability and the problem where it wasn't able to cope with lots of items connecting at once (DHCP would flap and IP addresses wouldn't get assigned).

It eventually settled down after a number of firmware updates, but recently it's started to become unstable again. It drops connections at random times, sometimes several times a day, and I've noticed tonight when looking at the logs that it seems to be rebooting itself. When I check in the connected devices it mostly just shows UNKNOWN devices connected, it recognises the Sky boxes connected, but very little else.

I've seen similar posts where people have used a 3rd party router instead, I did do that a while back but it got a bit complex for the rest of the family so I've switched back to the simple set up, but now regretting it!

Is there a newer version of the SR203 which fixes these issues?

[JimM1]

@Dingzap 

After the last couple of FW updates, the SR203 has become VERY quirky at displaying connected

device names, and number off connected devices etc. But i have found that it is best to ignore

this as all the DEVICES are connected correctly, and i have split bands, booster sky, booster powerline,

ring devices etc, and also set up the IP on DHCP to fix the IP assignments as much as possible so would know when issues are happening.

Your disconnects in the logs would be your main concern, you need to post your stat's to the forum

for members to view, also are you seeing any of the LED's changing going amber etc.

The SR203 is a fairly good router, but with limits of number connected devices etc....

Post your stat's when you get time and any more details ie SKY q etc would be helpfull.

[Dingzap]

Hi, so it is definitely resetting itself randomly. It's just done it two times in a row and when I checked on the router I could see it restarting as there was a single green light and an orange light.

When I check the logs it shows that it's restarting as initially the first entry time is 0:00, then it gets online and sets the time via NTP and shows the correct time.

It's not good enough, both my wife and I work from home and we've both been kicked off calls and meetings due to the instability. I've taken as much as I can off of the router and onto an alternative device in case there was too much load on it, but it's made no difference.

I may need to look into getting an alternative router, I switched back to the Sky one to simplify the set-up and make it more stable, but it's done the exact opposite unfortunately.

[Dingzap]

Stats here.

Most recent logs, show it coming back online at 17:27 (it's now 17:42). I can't post the logs as the forum thinks they contain phone numbers or other identifiable numbers.

[JimM1]

@Dingzap From your stat's it would look like the router did a complete reset, and especially of you say in the logs that the first entry went back to time zero, Normally bad power, faulty PSU, possibly bad router.

If it was a WAN drop then you would not see the log go back to zero. Update of FW can cause a reboot but normally done early hours of the morning to cause least inconvience to user's.

Have you contacted sky to report the issue.... 

[johntheripp3r]

Hi did you get anywhere with this? I have the same router and am having very similar issues to you. 

[Chrisee]

@johntheripp3r any router thst is rebooting on its own is as explained above likely to be faulty if you call Sky they can see the history from their end and, asuming it isnt a.lose cable, will arrange to swap the unit out with a replacement  Line issues can look very similar but a reboot causes all of the LEDs on the hub to change as the unit restarts which takes a couple of minutes while a lline issue only the internet light changes from green to amber and back again.

[Dingzap]

Hi all, it's definitely rebooting and not a line issue. Just blipped again this morning, when I checked the logs it was the same again, showing midnight in 1970 initially and then updating with the right time once the WAN was re-established and it was able to sync with NTP.

Will log a call with Sky to see if I can get a replacement, but the fact that it's been fine for a while feels more like another duff firmware update.

[Dingzap]

Further update which seems to have improved stability. I use Unifi wifi to extend the range of WiFi in my house, so I've done a bit of advanced networking and created a couple of VLANs to remove some of the load from the SR203 onto a separate router (connected as double-NAT). I've moved my IoT smart-home stuff off of the SR203 onto this separate router, and have then left the Sky router wifi for the family to use for general internet access, plus the Sky Q boxes.

I've also factory-reset the SR203 and so far have had two days of stability, which is a significant improvement from where I was before. Not sure whether the reset has helped, or reducing the load has helped, or whether it's a combination of everything!

The SR203 is still showing lots of random UNKNOWN devices (which change every time you refresh the web page!), but otherwise it's ok for now. My contract is up in May, so I'm going to consider moving onto a different provider, I know most of the routers provided by BT/Sky/Virgin etc are all a bit guff, but the Sky broadband configuration really restricts options for 3rd party routers.

[Anonymous]

I've been  getting exactly the same, random reboots and log always shows time rest as 00:00.

Escalated to sky who suggest somethings in my network could be interfering and causing it to reboot. Shot in dark in my opinion!!

Last they asked was for me to disconnect my switch, I have quite a few devices connected via ethernet, banged on about MESH and j said I use an access point so they wang everything disconnected to see what happens. 

I've never heard of "jnterference" causing a device to rebooting!!! Had router replaced and still occurs. 7.03 I think firmware.......

[JimM1]

@Anonymous It is rather unfortunate that the issues continue, and with you recieving the replacement router and still having the same issue. If you can post your router stat's. There does need to be a starting point for testing as you say that your network is more advanced than just the SR203 and wifi, so would not be an unusal request to start at the simplest to get a base line. When you look at the logs and you see time zero as first entry, then you can be assured that the router has done a complete reset, Give as much detail for your setup, maybe a good idea to get this in your own post as well. Power of your router to start and back on, grab and print your logs to pdf but wait about 1hr to get some info updates, then repeat at intervals.

I would advise you to log into your sky account, goto your broadband, look at Error on your line?, click on the i to expand, and this should allow you to run a service check, will take upto 5 mins to complete.

[Chrisee]

@Anonymous if the a replacement hub is having the same issue points to some local issue. If the hub is really rebooting on its own the most probable cause is poor mains voltage or connection so exclude that first if possible use a surge protected mains adapter. 

Your hub stats should show up any major line issues see Find your Sky Broadband router statistics. You mention younhave an ethernet switch is the simple unmanaged type or.one of the more complex managed variety? Sky hubs are designed for domestic networks so can be a pain on more complex networks.

[Anonymous]

The router is running from a ups soshojld  e no issues there. I was using a tp link smart switch so ive just swapped that out to a simple one. Unfortunately you can't put the router in bridge mode so I could use the access points dhcp server

[JimM1]

@Anonymous It's a process of elimination, lets see what the change of switch does, but you also have to be 100% sure that the UPS is not blipping and causing the SR203 to reset. Should be easy for you to test it

by removing power and if you find that the router reboots then it would be that. UPS do not give a pure ac sign wave and can cause issue's, the router is such a low power device around 10W so may see the switch over and cause it to reboot. It only takes one time....

[Chrisee]

@JimM1 I agree, the UPS would be my number one suspect.