Network connection drops when laptop inactive

[gawker]

I've a IBM laptop that I use at work to connect via PCXware telnet sessions to various servers. When my PC is unattended for a time (for example lunchtime), my telnet sessions are no longer viable. The windows are still open, but when I try to do anything in one of the windows, the window is unresponsive and the PCXware telnet window closes.

I thought it might be related to power management, but I've got "never" specified for the various options when running under "plug" power.

Any ideas what might be the problem?

Thank you.



Gawker

 

[gawker]

Should also have noted that the laptop is Windows 2000 and am connected at work to the LAN. This is a replacment PC with similar configuration to my older one (now junk) that never had this problem.

Thanks!

 

[bcastner]

One of the big problems with telnetting over the Internet is simply the problem of time outs. While adjusting certain registry entries may help, such as changing the DefaultTTL, SessionKeepAlive or MaxConnectRetries, the problem usually lies elsewhere.

In general telnet sessions do not time out. What is more common is that the network connection is severed either at the host or somewhere in between causing Windows to shut down the open socket (connection). Local routers, bridges, switches and Internet Service Provider routers or firewalls may be a culprit here. VPN switches and many dynamic DHCP or WINS servers may kill off what they determine are stale connections.

One item to check on your PC is the power management utilities. In many cases if your PC goes in to a power saver mode, the ethernet card will also shut down, which of course, can cause a dropped connection. Turn off any power saver features.

Talk with your ISP and see if they can offer any hints. In general, telnet is a connection-oriented protocol which requires the session remain active, whereas something like http or ftp are not.

Source:

http://www.anzio.com/support/whitepapers/tuning.htm

It is possible your new machine is at a higher service pack level than the old machine:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q138365