Help finding source of glitch - openvix 153, V4 solo2 mini multiple boxes

Ok, I'm not a complete newbie with networking / vu solo2, I have setup dreambox's, two solo2 minis, two solo2 mini SE. I've worked with PC's for some 20+ years, I work designing / testing / debugging a WebServer / Android / iOS client - I'm not a programmer but definitely not an idiot with technology.

I've been a member here for some time but never asked a question as I've found most things but my vu solo2 mini (non-SE) box and my vu solo2 mini SE (both clone boxes) are having frequent issues with freezes. I've spoken to my provider who says there are no issues their end, but I want to investigate the cause....

I have virgin media superhub, set up in modem only mode, connected to a tp-link router. My solo2mini is plugged into the tp-link via ethernet. I then have a wireless bridge setup to a second tp-link router in bridge mode elsewhere in the house. Second box is attached to that.

Both boxes are running Openvix Appolo 153 (clonesafe) for V4 flashed boxes. Both are running mgcamd 1.38 (downloaded through vix plugins). The same N: line (which can be used for four lines) is installed in both boxes.

I have in usr/keys both mg_cfg and newcamd.list.

mg_cfg:

newcamd.list has CWS_KEEPALIVE = 300

I am set up using DHCP but can set up static IP's for these boxes if needed. I can watch channels ok but they freeze, sometimes after 30 seconds, sometimes after a couple of minutes. Therefore, I am trying to track the cause of the freeze...

I'm not trying to stream from these devices (at this stage), just to connect to a server.

During freezing I've tried monitoring network responses to the box using ping, with no issues found. The box UI is responsive. I have wireshark installed and have been monitoring my box ip 192.168.1.103 - there don't appear to be any issues. The only issues I see are when I FTP to the box, wireshark is correctly picking up disconnects and highlighting those as errors. What I am not comfortable with is exploring wireshark logs though....

Can anyone help me on where I should go to identify where in the chain there could be a slow response (if indeed there is one)?

I've tried all of this with only one box connected too (no other vu solo2 box on the network) but still the issue is the same. The issue is definitely in requesting / receiving / decoding the softcam - I have no freezing issues on FTA channels. Also tried OScam, again without success.

Any pointers would be appreciated, I'm usually pretty good in finding things myself - I've installed / setup / ugraded 4 solo2 boxes without needing to ask so far but now I am stumped!

Also, I can PM wireshark logs if needed but I can't tie freezes to any specific even there....

Thanks!

It could be your server.they will always say its not them..
is the box over heating..i found anything over 35c can cause glitching and freezing
What are your ECM times?

Thanks for your reply.

Actually, I think it may have been a networking issue and I think I have found out what...

Checked in my router and set one box to disable DHCP. Set up a static IP and MAC binding in my router. I restarted the network on the solo2 and that seems to have fixed the issue.... It was then I noticed that the two boxes had the same MAC address in my router which could have been causing a conflict if DHCP was enabled on both. Also, although I had removed the Airplay plugin, I could still see reference to it on the network, so I have reinstalled it and set to disabled.

Going to go in and change the MAC address of one of the boxes to prevent any future conflict but I think that was it. I've been frustrated with this for days, sometimes, it's the basics that catch you out....

Happy for now,
:Cheers:

EDIT: I think this was caused by installing the same image on both boxes but not 100% sure, if I ever flash another image or perform the next clone firmware upgrade I will double check the mac addresses.

I was going to say Lonrison clones were known to all have same MAC address which would cause your router to go berserk trying to allocate two IPs to the same MAC.

TBH, I only knew that because my sunray solo2 made, as a selling point, stating different MACs thus allowing use of two boxes on one network. This was therefore a problem for Lonrison boxes and Sunray were saying their boxes were better because of different MACs.

You can change the MAC address can't you on one box?

I've attached my mg_cfg file I use without a problem.

Yes, it is there in the Network settings. To be honest with you, just disabling DHCP on the one box seems to have fixed the issue there.

The other box is in standby and I have been a bit lazy, I haven't changed the address on that box yet. No glitches at all since.

I am going to change the address on the second box just to be sure. Not going to do it on the one I am currently viewing as I have set up the mac binding for it already ;-)

I may even leave DHCP on for the second box.

try cws_keepalive = 60

So the issue is confirmed as fixed, I disabled DHCP, changed the MAC address of one box (doing this alone may have fixed the issue).

Any advantage to changing the value, if everything is working ok?

Also, I kind of started a guide for setting this up / explaining general network basics - the very basics, I don't know that much.

It is kind of expanding into more, with some general advice on Lornisun specific issues. Any volunteers want a PM - I assume I can add attachments via PM, of a "work in progress guide" to get some opinions before I continue?

It's in word format, but I'm stopping for now....