Loss of network connection on Sky Q and mini box when both connected via Ethernet

[hammerd]

I have one Sqy Q box and one Sky-mini box.  Both are connected via Ethernet cables to my router.  Wifi is disabled on both boxes.  The ethernet cabling from both boxes to the router is via multiple ethernet (unmanaged I think) switches and (in the case of the Sky Q main box) via cables embedded in walls, as the network in my house is complicated.   I do have a Sky booster that was connected via ethernet, but that is switched off, as I assume it is not needed since I am using Ethernet to the Sky Q box and Sky mini.  The Sky Q box, Sky Booster were replaced a few months ago due to an unrelated  picture/recording freezing problem.  I don't think the Sky mini box was replaced. 

The Network connection on the main Sky Q box is stable when the Sky Q mini is not switched on. As soon as I start using the mini box, the network connection becomes very unstable and after varying lenths of time, it will drop on the Sky Q main box and/or the Sky mini box.   I use Virgin Broadband.  I have read online content about this type of problem and there is reference to possible IP clashes etc, but that is beyond my networking capability.

Can anyone shed any light on how to set up a stable connection to these two boxes please?

[oldfella]

Hi @hammerd 

Are you sure they are simple unmanaged Ethernet switches you are using @hammerd ?

Sky Q does not play nicely with managed switches.
Also are sure the Ethernet cables etc are fully wired (8 Wires)?

[hammerd]

Hi @oldfella  - many thanks for your reply. How do I tell if the switches are managed or unmanaged?  I certainly don't "manage" them in any way - they are powered, so I plug them in to the mains and insert ethernet cables into the relevant ports.  One of the switches is a Netgear FS108, which I think is unmanaged. 

Regarding your question about cabling, I don't know whether the ethernet cables are fully wired.  The cabling to the Sky Q box is the most complicated (via walls, two ethernet switches, mixed cable colours etc) and that connection is stable when the mini box is not switched on.  The cabling to the Sky Q mini is quite old - just a very long (more than 20m) single Ethernet cable - it has "4PR" written on it, which I think means it is 4 twisted pairs - so 8 in total; it does not say Cat5 or similar on it.

[oldfella]

Ok @hammerd 

I can advise the best sequence to connecting the boxes but if the connection is failing with full Ethernet there is likely to be an issue somewhere with the cabling.

The timing of switching off the WiFi is important.

Start with main Q box and first carry out a Network reset with the Ethernet connected.
Network Reset found in Q box Home - Settings - Setup - Network.
Highlight Status and then select Reset on the right hand side. Select connect wired to non Sky Router.  Do not carry out any WPS and just wait for the box to connect. It may take a couple of minutes. If it does not connect there is an issue with the Ethernet connection.
As soon as it connects go into the Q box hidden menu and turn off WiFi.

To enter hidden menu press Home and navigate down to Settings but do not select Settings.
With Settings highlighted press 0 0 1 Select.
Go to Network to turn off both bands of WiFi. Confirm before exit.

Repeat the network reset on any minis in the Mini Home menu with the Ethernet connected. Again do not do any WPS and just wait for it to connect.
Once it is connected go into the mini hidden menu (same procedure as above) and turn off both bands of WiFi. Confirm before exit.

[hammerd]

Thanks.  I think this is the exact procedure that I used when I set up the ethernet connected boxes, but I guess there is no harm in trying again. 

I am worried that I am having a similar problem to that described here 2 sky devices using Same IP address causing issues | Sky Community by @StaceyY123, but don't know how to fix it, as I don't have the Ubiquiti devices mentioned there or the networking knowledge to find out if I have the same IP address problem. Any help on diagnosing would be much appreciated.