Windows 7 - network green light yellow light

I have been using DSL and all the computers have been working.  As is
stands I have an active DSL that works every time I try with all my
computers.

I am switching to Charter.  Charter is not working in every situation.
I bought a new netgear router. I have connected it to the Charter
modem.

I have a computer sitting right beside the modems.  I have a factory
made cable plugged into it.  (I have tried 2 factory cables)

A strange thing happens.   When I plug the computer into the DSL the
DSL light is green but the computer network light is yellow, but it
connects to the Internet anyway.

When plug the cable into the Netgear, the netgear light is green and
the computer light is green.  It still works.

I also have a CAT 5 cable that goes into the basement with a switch
with 2 computers plugged into it that works with the DSL.  When I plug
the cable into the netgear it does not work.

If a factory cable is giving different ready lights and still works, I
am guessing that the ready lights are not reliable way to tell
anything.

Although the connection that goes to the switch in the basement is
orange instead of green, the computers are working now.

After calling tech support again, I went into the basement and reset
the switch.  Even though the ip addresses get assigned automatically,
switching from one piece of hardware to another requires a reset.

Option 1: The DSL modem, the cable modem, and the computer's
motherboard were all made by different companies, and no attempt was
made to standardize colors.

Option 2: The colors are trying to tell you that you have a 10 Meg
connection or a 100 Meg connection or a Gig connection.

Either way, check the relevant documentation to see what the different
colors mean.


I would guess the opposite. They are trying to tell you something.


Switches do not know about IP addresses. IP's are at Layer 3 while
switches operate at Layer 2. Switches only know about MAC addresses.

Yep, some newer 10/100/1000 NICs use green for 1000 connection and
orange or amber for a 100 or a 10 connection.  Most but not all 10/100
NICs used green for 100 and orange for 10.  There is a LNK light, and
also an ACT light for activity.... it is (usually) yellow light would
indicate network activity, steady for traffic, flashing for heavy
traffic.  There were other variations, by manufacturer.
--
Glen Ventura
MS MVP  Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
CompTIA A+

Yes.  After much frustration and trial and error I read more of the
instructions and a green light is a faster connection.  Well it is
supposed to be.   It still did not make since to get a green light on
one end of a factory cable and get an orange light on the other, but
the color is the speed.

Thanks

Thanks

Assuming it is all about link speed, it could easily be that one piece
of equipment is rated 10/100 Mbps, so 100 would be green (faster),
while the other end could be rated 10/100/1000, in which case green
could indicate 1000 Mbps. Connecting a cable between those two pieces
of equipment could give you a green light at one end and an orange
light at the other. Their respective documentation should explain it.

I said assuming it is all about link speed because on some of my gear
it is also partly about duplex, (I think, have not rechecked), but in
that case both ends should indicate the same.

Thanks, Glen. I just said some of the same things before reading your
post. Thanks for the additional info.