Broken ethernet on sbRIO-9636

[Nimgaard]

Hello 

So i have a sbRIO-9636 and i have been working on it for some time. Have had no real problems with it but the other day when i started it up it simply wasnt on the network. After checking hardware (cables and switch) i noticed that the ethernet connector LEDs are on (green) as soon as the sbRIO is turned on even if there is no ethernet cable connected. If i plug in an ethernet cable the activity LED starts flashing continously. On the switch side there is no sign of it. The status LED of the port is off and there is no trace of the sbRIO MAC address. I have tried setting it in safe mode but the same behaviour just keeps repeating itself. 

Needless to say, it doesnt show up in MAX and it cant be pinged.

I am about to get hold of a cable to try and connect to the serial port and see if i can get some info out of the Console Out function but i thought id check if anyone here have seen this behaviour from a sbRIO and perhaps managed to solve it. Sad to say i dont have much hope for the unit but might be worth a shot.

Thanks,

Nimgaard

[tannerite]

Nimgaard,

This likely means either the Ethernet Transceiver (PHY) is damaged or the ESD protection has been damaged. This can usually be caused if chassis ground is not connected to Earth ground through a low-impedance path to shunt ESD events. One other thought is that if you connect chassis ground to the negative terminal of the power supply, and then wire the input power in backwards (which will energize chassis ground), this will cause the ESD protection on the Ethernet port to fail. We have reverse-voltage protection for our power supply, but this is bypassed if you energize chassis ground.

It may be good to check and see what is going on in the Console, but I imagine it will simply obtain a link-local address as the driver can still communicate with the PHY on the IO side, but cannot communicate on an Ethernet network due to ESD damage or blown ESD protection. I hope this helps.

[Nimgaard]

Thank you for the quick reply. I suspect that something like that is the case. It must have taken a hit somehow just when i turned it off after my last (succesful) work session with it. 

Is there anything i can do to repair it, or is it easier to just buy a new one?

Thanks,

Nimgaard

[tannerite · Accepted solution]

Nimgaard,

There is nothing that National Instruments can recommend to repair this unit. I would recommend calling our support and explaining what happened. They will let you know if the unit is still under warranty and can get you in touch with one of our RMA coordinators who can help you process this. This option may be less expensive than buying a new unit.

[Nimgaard]

Ok. I will get in touch with the local NI branch and see what can be done. Thanks again for the answers and advice.

/ Nimgaard

[bugra00]

Same issue with sbrio9636, ethernet port LEDs were on all times, even though no cable is connected. Reset did not work, and somehow both ethernet LEDs turned off now, no sign of ethernet connection either direct or through router. I measured 3V between chassis ground and power supply ground, wondering if that is the issue or not? Any suggestions before sending the unit to repair?