Why would the network for my Windows VDS stop working?

Virtual Dedicated Servers / Virtual Private Servers
Post Reply
User avatar
Edge100x
Founder
Founder
Posts: 12945
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC40BgXanDqOYoVCYFDSTfHA
Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 11:04 pm
Location: Seattle
Contact:

Why would the network for my Windows VDS stop working?

Post by Edge100x »

We have seen this happen before due to a driver setting problem and due to an old version of the GPLPV drivers. First, try fixing it with a driver adjustment:
  1. Reboot your VDS through the "Server control" tab and make sure that it's responding normally through the network (the next steps won't work if it's currently unresponsive)
  2. Open up the "VNC console" from your control panel and log in
  3. Left-click on the network adapter icon in the system tray
  4. Click "Open network and sharing center"
  5. Click "Xen Network adapter" under "View your active networks"
  6. Click "Properties"
  7. Click "Configure"
  8. Click "Advanced"
  9. Change the value for "Allow received packets larger than MTU" to "Disabled (Limit to MSS)"
  10. Change the value for "Check checksum on RX packets" to "Disabled"
  11. Change the value for "Large Send Offload" to "Disabled"
If this does not work, you can try updating the Xen driver.
  1. Back up all of your important files. If you don't want to back them up remotely, consider adding SSD space and putting the files on the SSD, since it can be kept across an OS reinstall. Do not skip this step.
  2. While logged in and the adapter is still working (after a fresh reboot it usually will work at least briefly), download the latest driver from http://www.ejbdigital.com.au/129/.
  3. Install the driver from the VNC console (not through remote desktop). Windows may present a warning about an unknown signed driver, which you can ignore.
We recommend trying this option only second, and backing up your files first, because often changing the Xen driver can make the server not boot properly, a situation that is complicated or impossible to recover from without a full reinstallation.

(On the server side, the Xen error that shows up when the network adapter stops working is "Too many frags" -- it also relates to a recent security change that the Xen developers made.)
Post Reply