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Weather Station Hardware => Davis Instruments Weather Stations => Topic started by: wmcatty on September 03, 2011, 09:25:56 PM

Title: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 03, 2011, 09:25:56 PM
I have a Pro2 wireless setup and am on an IP data logger.  The console is working fine and the data logger is responding to my software requests, however, when I checked with CWOP and WU, both are indicating that my last report was received over 11 hours ago.  I am thinking that it might be the Weatherlink server at Davis, but how do I verify it is on there end and not mine? Thanks
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 04, 2011, 11:15:27 AM
Without any changes or rebooting of the software/console, the data started being posted again on Weatherlink, WU and CWOP after a 14 hour delay.  What could be the reason behind this?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wxtech on September 04, 2011, 11:31:37 AM
Have you checked your last data submission on the 'uploads' page when you log in to Weather Link?
http://www.weatherlink.com/login.php (http://www.weatherlink.com/login.php)
You can check your CWOP and WU upload history from this page or make changes.  I upload about every 5 minutes to WU and less often to CWOP.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 04, 2011, 12:56:45 PM
Thanks again Al.  I updated the information on the sites you sent me. 
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 04, 2011, 07:03:28 PM
I am still having some questions.  I just check WU and CWOP and both reported no reporting for almost 4 hours.  My router, console and IP logger are functioning fine...where could the problem be?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: SlowModem on September 04, 2011, 07:13:37 PM
I am still having some questions.  I just check WU and CWOP and both reported no reporting for almost 4 hours.  My router, console and IP logger are functioning fine...where could the problem be?

Sounds to me like the problem is at Davis.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 04, 2011, 07:28:58 PM
I was thinking the same thing Greg, but I checked another WU station a few miles from me and his station is updating just fine with basically the same equipment on site.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: SlowModem on September 04, 2011, 07:40:36 PM
I was thinking the same thing Greg, but I checked another WU station a few miles from me and his station is updating just fine with basically the same equipment on site.

Perhaps he has a different internet provider or a different connection?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 04, 2011, 07:44:30 PM
I am still having some questions.  I just check WU and CWOP and both reported no reporting for almost 4 hours.  My router, console and IP logger are functioning fine...where could the problem be?

Just to confirm:  you are saying that you are frequently checking your data on WeatherLink.com, and your data is getting to WeatherLink.com but not to WU and CWOP?

[perhaps you might want to let us know your identifying information on WeatherLink.com, WU, and CWOP]
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 04, 2011, 07:56:12 PM
My station information is:

http://www.weatherlink.com/user/wmcatty/index.php?view=main&headers=1

http://www.wxqa.com/cgi-bin/search1.cgi?keyword=dw8373

http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KTXGATES4
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wxtech on September 04, 2011, 08:18:52 PM
When we were working earlier today, I couldn't find your station at Weatherlink dot com.  I see some data there in the summary page and the icon page, but can't find you on the Weatherlink map.  I have now found 'The Ranch' your station on WeatherLink dot com map.
I think that your station isn't properly set up at weatherlink dot com.  Some data got through to CWOP & WU but quit after 2 pm.
Log in and go to your account page and verify that the Device ID and Key information is correct.
My site at weatherlink dot com is working normally.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wxtech on September 04, 2011, 08:22:32 PM
Try resetting your modem/router.  
Does the LED on the WLIP data logger flicker? 
Is your console AC powered?  It must have AC power for the WLIP to operate.
Does your modem/router indicate that the ethernet connection for that device is active (a flickering led)?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 04, 2011, 08:23:45 PM
At the moment, WeatherLink.com says your station time is 14:55, but your actual station time is about 19:20

The most recent WU data is also 14:55

The implication is that (sometimes) your data isn't getting to WeatherLink.com.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 04, 2011, 08:51:54 PM
I checked my device ID at Weatherlink and it is correct.  I also checked the router and rebooted it.  All appropriate lights are blinking.  I did change the ethernet cable to another ethernet(data) port and will see how that helps.  This is the 2nd day in a row that I have not had data published for several hours for some unknown reason.  Yesterday it was not available for 10 hours and it been almost 6 hours now.  About to give up and go back to woodworking for a hobby!
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wxtech on September 04, 2011, 09:19:24 PM
The LED on my WLIP logger blinks continually every second or two.  It never pauses for more than 2 seconds.  If your LED is active, I don't understand why WeatherLink dot com isn't getting data.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 04, 2011, 09:26:03 PM
My green led blinks about every second and about every 10 seconds it flashes multiple times for a couple of seconds.  But whenever I download to my pc, the data is there without any interuption or loss of data.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 04, 2011, 09:37:53 PM
My green led blinks about every second and about every 10 seconds it flashes multiple times for a couple of seconds.  But whenever I download to my pc, the data is there without any interuption or loss of data.

Some possibilities/questions:

1.  Who is your internet carrier (ISP)? 

2.  What type is your service?  (DSL or Cable or FIOS or...)

3.  Please confirm that the version of the firmware on your WLIP is the latest version (yeah, I know you just got it, but...)

4.  Some time when it is working, please go to http://www.whatismyip.com/ and write down your IP address.  Then, after it quits working properly, do that again, and compare.  Same or different?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 04, 2011, 09:44:31 PM
I have CenturyLink DSL.  I will check the current IP address again when I see it up and running (then stops transmitting).  Thanks to all for the help today.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 07, 2011, 10:51:04 PM
Just an update...I have had 10-12 hour daily data not getting posted/uploaded to WU and CWOP for 6 days now.  I called Davis and spoke to the tech guru on the telephone and he said he would send an email to the IT dept. and let me know via email what they had to say.  I also emailed the tech dept. to reiterate my problem (X3) for the last three days, but no response thus far.  I will keep you updated accordingly.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 08, 2011, 08:32:18 AM
That's certainly strange.  Please keep us informed.

I have CenturyLink DSL.  I will check the current IP address again when I see it up and running (then stops transmitting).  Thanks to all for the help today.

What were the results of those checks?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wxtech on September 08, 2011, 08:41:17 AM
His CWOP has been updating since 0551z this morning.  His WU has 15 minute updates.  His Weatherlink.com summary/icon pages are updating this morning.  He had gaps in the data yesterday.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 08, 2011, 06:47:49 PM
I did check the IP address when data was transmitting and when it was not...same IP address.  My email to Davis last night was probably not as nice and eloquent as they are accustomed to, especially when I cc'd the CEO, but the data has not dropped today so far.  Maybe they are taking care of it, who knows.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: SLOweather on September 08, 2011, 06:51:22 PM
Do we know the IP address or URL the WLIP sends to? If so, a tracert (trace route) might be appropriate during an outage, to see if it's actually an internet problem.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 08, 2011, 07:52:43 PM
I just checked WU and the data was last received at 1807 hours.  It has been almost 50 minutes since the data was received...maybe my emails to Davis are falling on deaf ears or they just don't give a damn about responding to complains.  I do not understand this complete and total lack of communication with me.  I called my ISP and they said their servers were as "happy as clams" and there was no problem on their end.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 08, 2011, 08:11:55 PM
After 4 days of daily reporting/requesting help from Davis, I finally sent the following email and CC'd the sales office.  Maybe I will get some type of response.

This is my forth (4th) email to you about my data transmission/posting problems and I have not heard a friggin word from you all week...thanks a bunch.  I am still having the same problem that I reported to you on Monday with regards to my data not being received/uploaded to WU and CWOP from Weatherlink.com for several hours each day...but you guys are on top of it, right?  Don't bother to send me a response, as I am putting this email string together and will send it to the board of directors at Davis...maybe they can get you off center and actually respond to email sent to their Tech. Support Division---what a joke.  
 
Wayne M. Copeland
 
"Life's tough......It's even tougher if you're stupid."
-John Wayne
 
This communication, along with any attachments, is covered by federal and state law governing electronic communications and may contain confidential and legally privileged information.  If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, use or copying of this message is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this in error, please reply immediately to the sender and delete this message.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 08, 2011, 08:15:26 PM
In the CC to the Davis sales dept., I forwarded the email in the post above and added:

The following was sent to your Tech. Support division this evening.  I am forwarding it to your attention  while I try to ascertain the email address's of your board of directors.  I think they would appreciate knowing what is going on (or obviously not going on) in tech support. What a great way to treat a new customer!
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Bushman on September 08, 2011, 09:23:10 PM
a) NEVER post your phone number on the web
b)  Daivs is a private company and therefore there is no BOD
c) Thousands of Davis customers do what you are trying to do, so I say PICNIC problem
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 08, 2011, 09:29:21 PM
After alot of research, it appears that Davis is a privately held corp. in California and does not publish it's corporate minutes. I have requested the Sec. of State's information as to Davis Industries and will publish the names/address's of its board upon receipt.  Hopefully, I can contact one of these folks that will put some initiative behind their tech. support dept.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 08, 2011, 09:40:15 PM
Thanks for the advise Bushman, but as an attorney, I have found that most privately held corporations (other than an LLC) do have a Board of Directors.  When an entity files its corporate papers with the Sec. of State, they list the board members as well as the incorporators.   I  will continue to research this matter and will let you know the results of my research on this site. As far as the telephone number, it was just one of those "copy and paste" moments...I know better, but would still invite one of the Davis tech support folks to call me.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wxtech on September 08, 2011, 09:42:52 PM
Be sure to keep the two Davis Instruments companies separate.  There's a Davis Instruments in Illinois and the Davis Instruments in California.
I had several breaks in my data but it was always on my end.  My DSL modem was dropping out.  Sometimes it dropped out a hundred times a day and reset itself or I was able to reset it.  Then only the phone company could reset it.  They sent me a new free modem.  I installed it and I've had no more drop outs.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Bushman on September 08, 2011, 09:48:03 PM
Thanks for the advise Bushman, but as an attorney, I have found that most privately held corporations (other than an LLC) do have a Board of Directors.  When an entity files its corporate papers with the Sec. of State, they list the board members as well as the incorporators.   I  will continue to research this matter and will let you know the results of my research on this site. As far as the telephone number, it was just one of those "copy and paste" moments...I know better, but would still invite one of the Davis tech support folks to call me.

Well pretty much every telemarketer on earth has your number now.   :twisted:

As for the BOD, good luck with that!
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Bushman on September 08, 2011, 09:50:07 PM
I just checked your Wunderground site - it is two hrs.  behind.  And you complaint is???
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 08, 2011, 09:52:31 PM
Thanks Al.  If Davis ever responds to my emails/complaints, I will know if it is on my end.  Before I call my tele. company and request a new router, I would like to hear from Davis.  I am also aware of that their corp. offices are located in Calif., as I had to check numerous sites to verify Davis Instruments was in fact the maker of the weather instruments. Again, thanks to you and Bushman for the responses.  
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 08, 2011, 09:57:50 PM
Bushman, my complaint is that every day I encounter 10-12 hours of "No data being reported" or "this site is not reporting" on WU and CWOP.  I have called Davis and emailed them for the past 4 days, without any response.  As far as telemarketers go, I am a long standing member of the "Do not call" registry.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Bushman on September 08, 2011, 10:03:44 PM
DNC?  LMAO!  That registry ios one of the more useless things in existence.

Look - lots of folks do what you are doing so you must be the problem.  Frankly the whole WLIP  seems to be problematic for far too many folks.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 08, 2011, 10:18:54 PM
Did I write something to piss you off?  My telephone number is a PUBLIC published telephone number and I do not get soliciatation calls on it. Even if I did, why would you be offended and "LMAO"?  And how am I the problem?  I registered with this forum to get answers to questions, not berated by neophypes like you that want to castigate others that do not know answers to legitimate questions.  And as far as your comment that "the whole WLIP seems to be problematic for far too may folks," maybe you could give a lesson or two with your vast knowledge and experience and solve the problems those of us with WLIP seem to have.  If you were as helpful as that, we would not need WXforum or tech. support at Davis.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 08, 2011, 10:35:05 PM
Sorry about the "neophyte" tag...my temper was flaring when I wrote the above response.  No derogatory labeling intended.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Flag on September 08, 2011, 10:40:24 PM
wmcatty, you are over reacting here a tad, take a deep breath and step back for a minute.

My quess the problem is more on your end or your ISP etc There are thousands if WLIP's running fine with no issues. Have you worked throuth the FAQ?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 08, 2011, 10:52:40 PM
Hey Flag: I have checked with my ISP, performed the ISP checks, and monitored the Weatherlink site for a week now...as well as conducted all recommendations from others on this forum as far as equipment goes.  All indications point to Davis, which has not responded to my inquiries for 4 days now.  My data stopped flowing (or posted) to the weatherlink site 3 hours ago and my pc reports all is well...and is still receiving/reporting data as well.  I do not know where the problem is, but I suspect it is on the Weatherlink.com site, but do not know for sure since they will not correspond with me. I am getting frustrated with this and have to admit that a few steps away would not hurt my feelings.  I have done all I can do with the information and equipment I have, but do not see any light at the end of the tunnel.  I realize that it may be my shortcomings with regards to the set up that may be causing the problem, but do not know where to initiate the corrective actions until Davis tells me that it is not there problem...hence, my problem until Davis communicates.  Thanks for settling me down a bit.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Bushman on September 08, 2011, 10:57:28 PM
Sorry about the "neophyte" tag...my temper was flaring when I wrote the above response.  No derogatory labeling intended.

Gee thanks.  Spoken like a true lawyer.  "Did or did you not beat your wife??"

Good luck with your "problem".  I am sure the Davis BOD will be all over it first thing in the AM.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 08, 2011, 10:59:30 PM
As am I, Bushman.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Flag on September 08, 2011, 11:52:13 PM
Ok not sure if this has been asked or what you have configured?

Is the WLIP on DHCP or fixed IP?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: SLOweather on September 09, 2011, 12:10:06 AM
I'm going to throw out a couple of things here...

wmcatty, have you CALLED Davis tech support and talked with them about the problem?

If your station is having problems, and other WLIP stations are not, then the problem is not necessarily YOU or DAVIS. The Internet is a vast network of independent ISPs, carriers, and web hosts. The problem could be ANYWHERE between you and the Davis servers. It could be a bad switch, mis-configured router or crashing DNS server anywhere between you and the final server. It could be a dug-up fiber line. Just because other stations near you don't have problems doesn't necessarily make it a Davis problem.

If we can find the Internet address that the WLIP sends data to, then the tracert command I mentioned earlier can tell volumes...

I recommend that you turn down your ire knob, learn a few basic trouble-shooting techniques, and call Davis tech support and ask if they are having problems. I've always found their techs to be helpful on the phone.

OTOH, as an IT professional, I can say that your antagonistic email techniques that probably serve you well as an attorney will do little to engender sympathy with the people best suited to help you with your problem.

Good luck...

PS: also as an IT professional, I would be remiss if I didn't recommend rebooting EVERYTHING in your network chain. You'd be surprised 1) how often this fixes things, and 2) how often even we pros forget to try it. :)

1) power down the modem, router, switch and WLIP.

2) reboot the modem, Wait for all the lights to green up.

3) reboot the router. Wait for a minute or 2

3) reboot your switch, if your network is big enough to have one

4) reboot the WLIP.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 09, 2011, 12:14:54 AM
It is a fixed IP, connected directly to a router ethernet port (data) by ethernet cable from the WLIP directly to the router.  I have a 4 port wireless router and connected the ethernet cable to the first open port upon installation. After several hours, I noticed there was a data reporting delay for several hours...which has continued for the past week.  After 3 days, I disconnected the cable and installed it in another port (data) that was open/available...still no change in the data being posted.  I have approx. 10 hours a day of data not being transmitted/posted and nobody seems to have any suggestions other than it is Davis's problem.
Since Davis will not respond, do you have any suggestions for me?    
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 09, 2011, 12:28:55 AM
Thanks Sloweather.  I am out of town this evening and will have to unplug and reboot everything when I get home Fri. night.  I will call Davis in the morning and ask tech support if they are having server problems. I have turned down my ire and hope that it does not imply that I am normally so antagonistic, but I take offense to being labeled stupid or dumb.  I called Davis tech support on Tues. morning and the tech told me that he would have to send an email to the IT dept. and ask them if there was a problem, to which I have not heard anything.  I have also powered down all my equipment, but to no avail.  Other than Davis, what do you suggest I do?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Flag on September 09, 2011, 12:50:59 AM
This "4 port wireless routher", this then is not ADSL or similar? When you wireless, is this a WiFi type wireless or wireless broadband?

If behind all the time then starting to sound like latency issue?

Can you open the WLIP web page in IE?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 09, 2011, 12:54:04 AM
is the data on the davis web site always behind by the same amount?
i.e maybe that is a clue
(e.g is the time on the Davis console correct?)
(might be clutching at the wrong straws here)
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Flag on September 09, 2011, 12:54:59 AM
http://www.weatherlink.com/faq.php#sendsrvr

Have you checked out the FAQ section?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wxtech on September 09, 2011, 05:36:16 AM
is the data on the davis web site always behind by the same amount?
i.e maybe that is a clue
(e.g is the time on the Davis console correct?)
(might be clutching at the wrong straws here)
I've seen no delay.  When Weatherlink.com is posting his data, it is within 1 minute of the actual time.  As of 5:30 AM EST, Friday 9.9, his latest data is dated 18:20 Thursday September 8, 2011.
His sites:
http://www.weatherlink.com/user/wmcatty/index.php?view=main&headers=0 (http://www.weatherlink.com/user/wmcatty/index.php?view=main&headers=1)
http://www.weatherlink.com/user/wmcatty/index.php?view=summary&headers=0 (http://www.weatherlink.com/user/wmcatty/index.php?view=summary&headers=0)
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/wxpage.cgi?call=DW8373&last=24 (http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/wxpage.cgi?call=DW8373&last=24)
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KTXGATES4 (http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KTXGATES4)
Weatherlink dot com map.  
http://www.weatherlink.com/map.php?station=wmcatty (http://www.weatherlink.com/map.php?station=wmcatty)
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 09, 2011, 10:00:52 AM

3.  Please confirm that the version of the firmware on your WLIP is the latest version (yeah, I know you just got it, but...)


May I gently point out that you aren't very good at following directions (or reporting the results)?

It's rather difficult for us to help, because we aren't where you are, and there are lots of possible variables.  And it is certainly true that your problem is quite unusual (apparently few or no other people are experiencing it).  Why would it be "logical" for WeatherLink.Com to be rather reliably accepting data from  thousands of other users, but not accepting your data for long stretches of time, repeated over a number of days?

We understand your frustration.  But alienating forum participants who might be able to help you solve your problem might not be the best strategy.

Now:

Do the data outages seem to occur at approximately the same time, and for approximately the same duration?

During an outage period, have you tried doing a Web Download of data from WeatherLink.com?  If not, please try that when convenient.

During the outage period, are your other internet services working normally? 

What other web-based services do you have or use?  [Backup, netflix, torrent, seti, folding, etc...)
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wxtech on September 09, 2011, 11:14:47 AM
OK folks - Wayne's WLIP is working!!  =D> \:D/   Check em out.  Let's hope it continues without breaks
http://www.weatherlink.com/user/wmcatty/index.php?view=summary&headers=0 (http://www.weatherlink.com/user/wmcatty/index.php?view=summary&headers=0)
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/wxpage.cgi?call=DW8373&last=24 (http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/wxpage.cgi?call=DW8373&last=24)
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KTXGATES4 (http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KTXGATES4)
Weatherlink.com is uploading to WU & CWOP every 15 minutes.  Yea!  I wonder who/what happened.  :?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wxtech on September 09, 2011, 02:30:35 PM
And it quit again after working for 5 1/2 hours.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 09, 2011, 03:01:20 PM
And it quit again after working for 5 1/2 hours.

And yet the WeatherLinkIP stations at Cac Roc Ranch, Leaning Oak, CB Eddy TX, 6 SW Gatesville, and China Springs are still having their data accepted by WeatherLink.com.  Those are the 5 stations "surrounding" his station.

IANAL, but it seems almost unmistakable to me that the "outage" is somewhere between Wayne's console and the WeatherLink.com server.  Of course, this is only circumstantial evidence.  However, perhaps my 50+ years of computer experience qualifies me as an "expert".

So, the possibilities include the WeatherLinkIP (hardware, software, or setup); The cable to the router; The DSL router (hardware, software, or setup), the DSL filter(s); the cabling between the router and the demarc; the physical connections between the demarc and the central office; the dozens of logical connections from there to WeatherLink.com.

Easy things to check, by physical replacement - the Ethernet cable, DSL filter(s), and cabling between the router and the demarc.  Those are low probability, but I've seen flakey failures in all of those (particularly in cabling if there are cats or dogs that can brush against the hardware).
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Bushman on September 09, 2011, 03:17:42 PM
He should try a tool like this  http://www.pingplotter.com/
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 09, 2011, 04:50:04 PM
Davis tech support called me this morning and said they had never encountered a problem like this, but think it may be in the logger itself.  Their servers were not encountering any problems, so they think it may be a problem with the logger communicating with the router. They are sending me a new WLIP today and want me to call them back next week when I receive it.  Thanks again for all the help.  
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 09, 2011, 04:57:46 PM
He should try a tool like this  http://www.pingplotter.com/

Could you supply the IP address that he should ping?

Does that IP address for WeatherLink.Com normally respond to a ping?

Wouldn't a traceroute be better?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 09, 2011, 05:05:48 PM
is the room where the VP console getting very hot?
i.e does the data stopping coincide with high temperatures in that room
as I seem to recall a problem with high temperatures affecting the data logger itself
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Bushman on September 09, 2011, 05:10:23 PM
He should try a tool like this  http://www.pingplotter.com/

Could you supply the IP address that he should ping?

Does that IP address for WeatherLink.Com normally respond to a ping?

Wouldn't a traceroute be better?

209.119.63.221  Pingplotter is a bt of a misnomer - it uses a numebr of net tools incl traceroute to show the IP path graphically.  Pretty neat freeware actually.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Bushman on September 09, 2011, 05:13:55 PM
Here's an example of a traceroute to weatherlink.com  (Note - pretty crappy results most times so I wonder how good that server upgrade in Febreuaury of this yar actually was)

209.119.63.221 is from United States(US) in region North America



TraceRoute to 209.119.63.221 [d1-77-3f-dd.static.davisnet.com]

Hop   (ms)   (ms)   (ms)           IP Address   Host name

 1       51      1      0         8.9.232.73     xe-5-3-0.edge3.dallas1.level3.net 

 2       1      1      1         4.69.145.76     ae-2-70.edge2.dallas3.level3.net 

 3       0      0      0         4.71.220.14     xo-communic.edge2.dallas3.level3.net 

 4       4      4      3         207.88.14.242     207.88.14.242.ptr.us.xo.net 

 5       47      46      47         207.88.12.46     vb12.rar3.la-ca.us.xo.net 

 6       48      42      42         216.156.0.142     ae0d0.mcr2.fremont-ca.us.xo.net 

 7       65      43      43         216.156.1.69     ae1d0.mcr1.fremont-ca.us.xo.net 

 8       105      106      109         209.119.75.242      - 

 9       Timed out      Timed out      Timed out               - 

 10       Timed out      Timed out      Timed out               - 

 11       Timed out      Timed out      Timed out               - 

 12       Timed out      Timed out      Timed out               - 


Trace aborted.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 09, 2011, 06:06:06 PM



209.119.63.221  Pingplotter is a bt of a misnomer - it uses a numebr of net tools incl traceroute to show the IP path graphically.  Pretty neat freeware actually.

Just curious - is that (weatherlink.com) IP the one that is used for uploads of weather data, also?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 09, 2011, 07:20:59 PM
Thanks alot for all the comments and suggestions, but when you are talking "traceroutes and pings", you may as well be speaking in a foreign language to me.  I would understand both about the same.  Davis tech said they had reviewed and tracked my data loss and their only thoughts to a possible solution is that the WLIP is either overheating or has communications issues in its circuitry.  My wife keeps the living room area where my equipment is located at about 74 degrees most of the time(and the ceiling fans are running so fast that the blades remind me of a helicopter rotor).  The router and console are on free standing end tables approx. 8' from one another...and there are no other lamps, heat sources near by.  Other than the data loss each day to Weatherlink.com, all of the data is being retained and uploaded to VWS software as it should be (without the data loss) and the console has not missed a beat.  I sure hope the new WLIP solves the problem.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Bushman on September 09, 2011, 07:38:38 PM



209.119.63.221  Pingplotter is a bt of a misnomer - it uses a numebr of net tools incl traceroute to show the IP path graphically.  Pretty neat freeware actually.

Just curious - is that (weatherlink.com) IP the one that is used for uploads of weather data, also?

According to Davis it is.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 09, 2011, 07:51:55 PM
so you are running VWS at the same time?
maybe that is not releasing the port at times, to allow the upload to davis

i.e when the data to davis stops, as a test, exit VWS
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 09, 2011, 09:21:49 PM
No, the data problem started before I installed VWS on my new PC.  I did have Weatherlink installed initially, but the problems persisted even at times when my pc was turned off.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 09, 2011, 09:32:05 PM
ah,another piece of the puzzle you can remove then I guess
re the heat thing, does the data logger itself get hot?
as I do know of one person who had trouble with a data logger overheating, and had to get a replacement
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 09, 2011, 09:41:23 PM
No, I just checked it and the console and both are as cool as can be.  One thing that Al mentioned to me last week was that the green led light on his WLIP flashed every 2 seconds.  Mine flashes once every 3/4 of a second and after 14 consecutive flashes, it flashes about 10 times very rapidly, then goes back to the once every 3/4 second...then repeats the sequence all over again. I have also been out of town for the past 3 days and my pc at the house was turned off during that time...and data was lost for 8-12 hours each day.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wxtech on September 10, 2011, 05:39:41 AM
No, I just checked it and the console and both are as cool as can be.  One thing that Al mentioned to me last week was that the green led light on his WLIP flashed every 2 seconds.  Mine flashes once every 3/4 of a second and after 14 consecutive flashes, it flashes about 10 times very rapidly, then goes back to the once every 3/4 second...then repeats the sequence all over again. I have also been out of town for the past 3 days and my pc at the house was turned off during that time...and data was lost for 8-12 hours each day.
Morning observation:  WLIP consists of two modules on ends of a short cable.  One end is like the serial/USB logger that plugs into the console expansion port.  The other end is like a large Ethernet receptacle and has a green LED.  Between the two is a large ferrite filter.  Total length is 5 inches.
My logger and connector with LED does not get warm.  It seems to always be at room temperature.
The green LED on the Ethernet receptacle does not flicker on any noticeable pattern.  It flickers in bursts of data indication similar to the LEDS on most routers.  It's just a busy LED with noticeable pauses.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 12, 2011, 08:10:31 PM
As a last resort before the new WLIP comes from Davis this week, I called my telephone company again today and talked to their DSL tech support.  They checked out all the lines, routers, servers and finally decided to dedicate my Davis console its own ISP number through the router itself.  They rebooted the router...my wife rebooted the console...and I still have no data flowing to Weatherlink.com. for the last 10 hours.  It must be the data logger, as you folks have given me all the other possible scenarios that would effect the loss of data, which is what Davis tech support suspected after many hours of complaining/checking/verifying.  I hope to be up and running full-time by this weekend.  Glad to be a part of this forum...if not for you boys, I would have probably tossed the unit into the junk pile a couple of weeks ago!  Gracias from Central Texas where it is a cool 105 degrees right now and rain is something we have not seen in six months.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 12, 2011, 09:14:43 PM
Two hours after my tele. company designated the Davis console its own ISP, my WU site still reports that data is almost 12 hours old.  I guess it is data logger hell for the next few days.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 16, 2011, 01:20:19 PM
A quick update.  Got the new WLIP in from Davis yesterday and hooked it up according to power-down protocol.  Re powered the console and router...still no data flowing.  I changed the DID infor. on the software...still no data flowing to either Weatherlink.com or my PC now.  I checked the green LED on the logger and it was flashing as most LED's do, so I waited for a few hours and still no data being transmitted through the router.  I powered down the unit this morning and removed the new WLIP and looked at the elec. pins in the slot in the console to see if one of them was possibly bent or missing. Everything looked fine, but I had a nagging urge to get a large magnifying glass out and take a better look at the pins under magnification.  Then I saw it...a very, very tiny piece of black plastic  on the side of the lower left pin.  It was not removeable but was somewhat "bendable", so I gently pushed it out of the way of the connector, replaced the WLIP and re powered the console.  It worked, but the plastic part kept the WLIP from seating well and shims had to be used between the logger connector and the plastic cover on the back of the console to keep it from moving...but data is once again being collected and uploaded!  I called Davis and they are sending a new  replacement console out today due to the manufacturing defect.  But at least I now know where the problem is and the permanent solution without need for shims is but a few days away.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wxtech on September 16, 2011, 01:27:16 PM
I'm glad that you discovered the problem.  Davis will treat you right!
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 16, 2011, 01:30:32 PM
They already have Al.  And thanks again for all your help, both online and offline.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Sigdigit on September 16, 2011, 02:44:51 PM
I love stories with happy endings.  I also know the frustration of dealing with a tech problem that is out of your own realm of expertise.  So the logger is working correctly now with no dropouts?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 16, 2011, 03:13:39 PM
I think that might be a rare manufacturing defect, or maybe rare that is causing an intermitant problem (rather than just not work at all)
looks like I good find!
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 16, 2011, 03:37:03 PM
...  I powered down the unit this morning and removed the new WLIP and looked at the elec. pins in the slot in the console to see if one of them was possibly bent or missing. Everything looked fine, but I had a nagging urge to get a large magnifying glass out and take a better look at the pins under magnification.  Then I saw it...a very, very tiny piece of black plastic  on the side of the lower left pin.  ...

Wow!  I never met a lawyer who was a skilled technician with nagging urges....    =D>

These rare problems are fascinating, fun, and educational. 

Note that one of the clues was that "nobody" else in your vicinity was having similar problems, so your initial suspicion that the fault was with WeatherLink.Com and/or your ISP was logical but incorrect. 

I'm very glad that we could help you keep plugging away at this until you found the solution.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 16, 2011, 03:42:42 PM
I also think it was unusual that it would work intermitantly
you would think that with a pin contact problem like that it would either work or it would not
but it could be related to maybe temperature/humidity in the room, i.e sometimes the connection would work, sometimes it would not , or similar?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 16, 2011, 04:16:57 PM

IANAL, but it seems almost unmistakable to me that the "outage" is somewhere between Wayne's console and the WeatherLink.com server.  Of course, this is only circumstantial evidence.  However, perhaps my 50+ years of computer experience qualifies me as an "expert".

So, the possibilities include the WeatherLinkIP (hardware, software, or setup); The cable to the router; The DSL router (hardware, software, or setup), the DSL filter(s); the cabling between the router and the demarc; the physical connections between the demarc and the central office; the dozens of logical connections from there to WeatherLink.com.


I missed it by that much!

...but it really was  between Wayne's console and the WeatherLink.com server.

I once had a piece of hardware that was intermittent, and finally tracked it down to a wire-wrap wire with a hairline break in the conductor, inside the undamaged insulation about 2 inches from the connection.  Random equipment movement and perhaps temperature driven expansion/contraction were enough to make or break the circuit.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 16, 2011, 05:07:21 PM
You were so close Dalecoy it hurts me to have ignored your analysis, especially when I was working with all new equipment.  I hope there is not a "next time" I need help in this area, but if I do, I will start with "the obvious". I did try to ascertain the size of the black plastic piece that was keeping the data logger from seating completely on the left side of the pin set, and estimate it was about 1/32" long and the diameter of a 9mm pencil lead.  Being molded from the same black plastic and matching the surrounding plastic to a "tee", it was impossible to see without the aid of a very strong magnifying glass. But it was just high enough to keep the data logger from seating perfectly upon the pin set on the left side. After 12 days of frustration, cussing, wondering and thoughts of giving up this new hobby, I am now a happy camper.  Have a good weekend fellas and thanks again for the past posts, analysis, recommendations and general help. You all are appreciated more than you may realize. 
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 16, 2011, 05:32:55 PM

By the way Dalecoy, I am a skilled lawyer with semiskilled nagging urges...no technical issues with me.  Better at working my horses, cows, building fine-furniture pieces, rebuilding engines and tractors, and turning on the PC in the morning.  If technical devices do not work correctly, call the techs out.  For me, software and hardware difficulties are better serviced by someone that has the knowledge and experience...I do not make my claim to fame in this arena. But I certainly appreciate guys like you that know this tech stuff, as it eludes most of the members of my circle of friends.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 16, 2011, 05:46:51 PM
... but you observed that there was a slight problem with the WLIP connector seating properly in the console.

Perhaps that comes from your experience with animals, woodworking, or machinery -- but I have "known" a large number of technicians who would fail that test.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Bushman on September 16, 2011, 06:03:21 PM
What's that old joke about arguing with lawyers?  :)
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 16, 2011, 09:00:19 PM
I may have spoken too soon.  The new data logger is well seated in the console but the data stopped flowing to Weatherlink three and a half hours ago after running flawlessly for 10 hours now.  Could it be the console itself?  Maybe back to square one since you boys are having so much fun with the lawyer jokes!  Frustration continues...
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 16, 2011, 09:10:22 PM
Yes, it could be the console, and you're going to receive a new console.  That should reasonably diagnose things at the console/logger interface.

When the data is not flowing, can you still access weatherlink.com using your browser?

[I didn't tell any jokes -- and I'll bet money that you know better ones than Bushman does.]
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 16, 2011, 09:17:33 PM
Dalecoy, the data is still flowing uninterrupted to my PC via wireless modem, but when I logged into the Weatherlink site, it said my data was last received over 4 hours ago.  I do know a few lawyer jokes, but my favorite is:  How do you know when it is cold in Dallas?  When the lawyers have their hands in their own pockets. 
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 16, 2011, 09:54:50 PM
... but when I logged into the Weatherlink site, it said my data was last received over 4 hours ago.

The fact that you can log into the WeatherLink.com site, demonstrates that your location (PC, router, etc.) does have connectivity to that site.  Therefore, if the WLIP "tried" to communicate with the site, it could. 

Dalecoy, the data is still flowing uninterrupted to my PC via wireless modem,...

Just for grins, do you have an Ethernet cable that you could use (temporarily) to connect your PC to the router?  [And turn off the wireless networking on your PC]?

And, please describe exactly how you know that the data is flowing uninterrupted to your PC.  [e.g., the WeatherLink Bulletin is running continually and correctly, or ....????]

[Having lived for a couple of years in the Dallas area - actually Westlake/Trophy Club - I know how seldom it gets cold]
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 16, 2011, 10:12:01 PM
I do not have an extra ethernet cable, but my weatherlink software is getting reports every 30 minutes in the bulletin via wireless signal.  And VWS has all data displayed for the past 12 hours.  I do not understand how data can be transmitted through the router to my pc via wireless and not to Weatherlink.com.  It simply does not make any sense to me.
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Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 16, 2011, 10:21:30 PM
what can happen is that the software might not be releasing the port so that the IP data logger can upate weatherlink.com
try this test:
exit all software running that access the IP data logger (i.e weather link and VWS)
and then see if weatherlink.com gets an update
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 16, 2011, 10:27:33 PM
After exiting those programs, you might also want to "reboot" your WeatherLinkIP logger.

After exiting those programs, it's OK to use your browser to access WeatherLink.Com, to see if your data is now getting there.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 16, 2011, 10:32:52 PM
Thanks guys...I will try that now that I have closed VWS.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 16, 2011, 10:39:36 PM
 I do not understand how data can be transmitted through the router to my pc via wireless and not to Weatherlink.com.  It simply does not make any sense to me.

If your PC is "asking" for data from WeatherLink.com, but your WeatherLinkIP has quit trying to send data to WeatherLink.com, would that make more sense?

And please confirm that you are using VWS and WeatherLink software simultaneously, without also using something like VVP?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 16, 2011, 10:43:55 PM
yes, it does worry that me there are 2 programs trying to get the data from the IP data logger and the IP data logger is trying to update the davis site as well
its not designed to be a fully fledged web server, i.e the numer of simultaneous connections is really limited to 1
you would be best to use VVP, which correctly releases the port every minute so that the davis site can be updated
and any software running gets the data from VVP
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 16, 2011, 10:54:09 PM
I just powered down the console and router.  No change in data. I previously installed the Weatherlink software that Davis said to install so that it could communicate with the WLIP.  I normally do not open it.  I also have the VWS software I installed this week, but do not keep it open unless I check conditions, after which I close it. I can open either one of the programs and the data is current and will display the past 30 minute logs (Weatherlink) for several hours and VWS will display data for the past several hours as well.  I did check on WU a few minutes ago and it had my data updated at 9:00pm, but Weatherlink.com said my last data was received at 4:14pm this afternoon.  It seems to me that Weatherlink.com is the primary server and uploads to WU, so I do not know why there is such a discrepancy in times of reporting.  As far as VVP, I do not know what it is, nor have I installed any other software other than Weatherlink and VWS.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 16, 2011, 11:11:17 PM
oh, it was not clear that you only were briefly running those programs (so they could get past history data)
that does not however prove much, when it comes to the problem of data not getting to the davis site past your router....
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 16, 2011, 11:16:34 PM
Weather Display, I just powered down the router and console again, and checked with weatherlink.com...my data is now flowing.  I guess my console is in need of replacing, which Davis is going to do this week.  I now think it is in the console itself.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 17, 2011, 09:58:56 AM
Weather Display, I just powered down the router and console again, and checked with weatherlink.com...my data is now flowing.  I guess my console is in need of replacing, which Davis is going to do this week.  I now think it is in the console itself.

I'm not convinced that it is (or isn't) the console.

I suggest that you try not running WeatherLink and not running VWS, until your new console arrives.  If those are the only weather software programs you are running, and if the WeatherLink.com upload stops anyhow, that will be rather conclusive that it is not one of those programs.

Note: Just before you change out the console, run both of those programs so they can get the data from the logger.

Question: What is the exact model number of your router?  [You may have answered that before, somewhere in this long discussion, but I couldn't easily find it]  Also, is the WeatherLinkIP the only thing that is plugged into the router?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 17, 2011, 10:12:12 AM
The router is a Westell A90 and has the telephone line and WLIP plugged into it.  I will run both programs before installing the new console, but will not run them for the next few days and see how things add up.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 17, 2011, 10:29:22 AM
Thanks. 
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: xykotik on September 17, 2011, 12:42:44 PM
A lightbulb just went off in my head... :idea:

I have been following the thread (intermittently, like the problem) but the last post about the router got me thinking about a somewhat similar issue I had at home when my daughter got a new laptop.  It may not be related at all, but it's a nice thing to know, so I will share.

I had been running for several years without problems.  A couple of WinXP PCs hardwired through a switch or two, a couple of XP laptops, some Linux Tivos and my wife's Win7 laptop.  About the time my daughter got her Win7 laptop, both she and my wife started having connectivity issues.  Win7 would suddenly say that my router was an "unknown network" and disallow internet access.  Sometimes it would be my daughter's, sometimes my wife's, sometimes both.  Doing a "repair" would sometimes fix it.  I finally discovered that the problem would occur only when both of them had their laptops ON at the same time (for a time) and then one of them turned theirs off.  Then the other one would stop connecting to the internet.  "Repair" would only then work if the other laptop was still OFF.

After beating my head against it for days, I figured it out...  When ONE Win7 computer ONLY was connected to the router (wirelessly) it would setup an IPv4 connection and work fine.  If that laptop was still powered on and the OTHER Win7 laptop was powered ON, it would first look for an IPv6 (start with the newest tech, right?) which it would find peer-to-peer with the other Win7 laptop, then share it's IPv4 connection to the router and ergo the internet.  When the FIRST (connected) Win7 laptop was powered off, the SECOND one wouldn’t release the IPv6 association with the router via an internal IP, but was still connected to the router’s SSID, but reported it as "unidentified network" and blocked internet access.  Doing a “repair” (only with the other laptop OFF) would fix it, until the other computer connected to THIS laptop (IPv6) and THIS first laptop then got shut down.  Then the problem just moved to THAT laptop.

I was blaming Win7 and started rolling back updates, which didn’t help.  It finally dawned on me that my cheapie Airlink101 router was quite old and may not support IPv6.  I checked, and it didn’t.  No updates available either.  A quick trip to Fry’s for a new BelkinN+, and no problems at all with connectivity since.

Bringing the light-bulb moment back around, have there been any other hardware changes to your network?  I think you tried another router, but what about connected devices?  Disable those for testing?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 17, 2011, 12:49:19 PM
I think we were told that the only devices are the WeatherLinkIP (hardwired) and the one PC connecting wirelessly.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 17, 2011, 12:58:41 PM
oh, it was not clear that you only were briefly running those programs (so they could get past history data)

And it still may not be clear.  Let's check - because we may not be speaking the same language:

... I previously installed the Weatherlink software that Davis said to install so that it could communicate with the WLIP.  I normally do not open it.  I also have the VWS software I installed this week, but do not keep it open unless I check conditions, after which I close it. I can open either one of the programs and the data is current and will display the past 30 minute logs (Weatherlink) for several hours and VWS will display data for the past several hours as well. .....

Without actually doing it on your PC....

Please tell us exactly what you do to "close" a program, and what you do to "open it".

Also (without trying it) - you say when you open WeatherLink the data is current.  When you open it, does WeatherLink show you a message about downloading data?  Or is the data just there, all the time?

I'm not trying to be critical - just trying to make sure that we all understand precisely what you are saying.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 17, 2011, 02:00:49 PM
To open a program, I simply click on the icon on my desktop.  When I am through using the program, I "X" out on the top right corner of the page and the program closes.  When I go to my weatherlink site, sometimes the information is old as compared to my console display and the white lettering at the bottom is now in red (indicating data is not being received).  I just checked it a few minutes ago and my data had been received and posted a few minutes ago.  I then checked WU and it said my station had stopped responding and the data was last received over 3 hours ago.  I then went back to weatherlink.com and checked my uploads...for some reason, my station information/passwords for CWOP and WU had been deleted.  I reentered the information and reset the page...now both are reporting current data.  I am not at home, but cut off the desktop before I left the house about 3 hours ago.  When I go to my weatherlink page, the data and the time it was received are right there after I sign in (@ the My Weather tab).  When I open weather link, I have to wait a few seconds after I hit the download data...it is not displayed until I do that.  On VWS, the data is displayed after the program is opened and it obtains the data from the logger...usually about 10-15 seconds. That is all I know for now.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 17, 2011, 02:49:39 PM
Thank you.  That's clear now.  I wanted to be sure that I understood.

So, please keep on not clicking on the desktop icons, so we can test the "software" theory.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 17, 2011, 05:27:47 PM
... and checked with weatherlink.com...my data is now flowing.

Unless I missed an outage somewhere, that's 18 hours straight that data has been getting to WeatherLink.Com

What's the record length of time, since this problem started occurring (roughly 14 days ago)?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 17, 2011, 05:59:21 PM
About thirty hours was the longest delay.  It went out at 4:14 Friday and did not list the current data again until 8:00 AM this morning...which is about the daily norm.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 17, 2011, 06:05:23 PM
is there a pattern to the data not working/working?
(I had hinted at that before)
your last statement seems like there is a pattern?
as that might be a clue
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 17, 2011, 07:04:11 PM
About thirty hours was the longest delay.  It went out at 4:14 Friday and did not list the current data again until 8:00 AM this morning...which is about the daily norm.

Excuse me.  Please check the date/time on this posting from you:

Weather Display, I just powered down the router and console again, and checked with weatherlink.com...my data is now flowing. ...

That's from Friday.  Evening.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 17, 2011, 07:15:09 PM
There is no particular pattern with regards to when the data stops, but is probably 55-60% in the early mornings (right before and after midnight).  Last night I powered down the unit and data flowed for about 3 minutes, after which time I went to bed.  This morning, it still showed no data received since 4:14 PM on Friday,  then I rebooted the system again and it has been working all day.  Do I need to do anything with regards to WL or VWS software, other than not open them until the new console arrives?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 17, 2011, 07:17:21 PM
when you say until you rebooted the system...what are you actually rebooting?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 17, 2011, 07:28:20 PM

The console and the router.  Disconnecting power from both and waiting about 2 minutes before re-connecting.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 17, 2011, 07:35:15 PM
There is no particular pattern with regards to when the data stops, but is probably 55-60% in the early mornings (right before and after midnight).  Last night I powered down the unit and data flowed for about 3 minutes, after which time I went to bed.  This morning, it still showed no data received since 4:14 PM on Friday,  then I rebooted the system again and it has been working all day.  Do I need to do anything with regards to WL or VWS software, other than not open them until the new console arrives?


Oh.  Well, we didn't know you had rebooted the system this morning.  It's strange that you say the data was flowing OK after 10 PM last night, but now shows it wasn't getting data from 4 PM until this morning.

What exactly do you mean by " data flowed for about 3 minutes"?  How were you checking that?  I would guess that you used your browser to access WeatherLink.com, and observed the time of last update, but that's a guess.  

What exactly do you mean by " it still showed no data received since 4:14 PM on Friday,"?  In particular, what is "it".  Is "it" your archive data on WeatherLink.com, or something else?

Of course, I can't see your archived data on WeatherLink.com, so I can't examine details.  All I can say is that, every time I looked today, your WeatherLink.com showed the correct time.  

I do note that I didn't ask you to quit using WeatherLink and VWS until about 9 AM today, so perhaps (?) you used them between last night's reboot and 9 AM today.  No, you do not have to do anything with regard to WL or VWS, except to just not use them at all for the next couple of days (or until the WeatherLinkIP upload quits).  The idea is to demonstrate that the WL and VWS software are not causing a problem - which means that we would observe the WeatherLinkIP failure when WL and VWS have never been used.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 17, 2011, 07:41:52 PM
My weatherlink weather page indicated that the last data received was at 4:14 pm on Friday, but the only time I checked it was immediately after rebooting the console and verifying the data was downloaded to my weatherlink software.  I will not open the two weather programs and check it in the morning, as I have to get ready to drive about 4 hours home now. If my weatherlink.com page quits tonight, I will post the time it said it last received data.  I have checked sporadically all day at both WU and WL, and data is getting posted without any problems.  I did have the WL software running last night and early this morning, but it has been off since I left the house this morning. Again, thanks to you both for the help.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 17, 2011, 07:44:13 PM
Off Topic, but probably related

 I did check on WU a few minutes ago and it had my data updated at 9:00pm, but Weatherlink.com said my last data was received at 4:14pm this afternoon.  It seems to me that Weatherlink.com is the primary server and uploads to WU, so I do not know why there is such a discrepancy in times of reporting. 

I'm guessing that you have VWS configured to also upload your data to WU.  Having two things trying to send data to the same place is a recipe for confusion.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 17, 2011, 07:47:51 PM
No Dalecoy, I did not enable that function as I was under the impression that the WL software would do that when I registered at Weatherlink.com and set up my account to upload to WU and CWOP.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 17, 2011, 07:53:51 PM
My weatherlink weather page indicated that the last data received was at 4:14 pm on Friday, but the only time I checked it was immediately after rebooting the console and verifying the data was downloaded to my weatherlink software.  I will not open the two weather programs and check it in the morning, as I have to get ready to drive about 4 hours home now. Again, thanks to you both for the help.

OK, thanks.  

So, you didn't actually know that data was not flowing to WeatherLink.com at the 10PM last evening when you said "I just powered down the router and console again, and checked with weatherlink.com...my data is now flowing. ..."

I understand.  And perhaps you are thinking that if the data is being downloaded to your WeatherLink.com software (which you verified), then it is also being uploaded to WeatherLink.com.  That is not the case, but it's an easy thing to mistakenly conclude.

Perhaps you can understand why I'm being rather picky to ask what you exactly mean when you state something.  IANAL, but perhaps sometimes I may sound like one.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 17, 2011, 07:56:38 PM
No Dalecoy, I did not enable that function as I was under the impression that the WL software would do that when I registered at Weatherlink.com and set up my account to upload to WU and CWOP.

OK, then I have no explanation for how WeatherLink.com got data to send to WU, between 4:14 and 9:00 PM.  Sorry for the off-topic posting.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 18, 2011, 12:49:20 AM
one thing I would like to know:
in the morning, first check your data on weatherlink.com
to see if its updated or not
before you do anything else....
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 18, 2011, 07:38:27 AM
I just checked weatherlink.com and the  current weather conditions data indicated a last report at 1:39AM (5 hours ago).  WU says the same.  No software running yesterday after 9:00 AM power reboot of the router and console...in fact, I went out of town after that and the pc was shut down most of the day until I got home around midnight. Nothing else will be done on my end until I hear back from you all. 
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 18, 2011, 10:00:58 AM
I just checked weatherlink.com and the  current weather conditions data indicated a last report at 1:39AM (5 hours ago).  WU says the same.  No software running yesterday after 9:00 AM power reboot of the router and console...in fact, I went out of town after that and the pc was shut down most of the day until I got home around midnight. Nothing else will be done on my end until I hear back from you all.  

Yes, I see that the WeatherLink.com feed quit.  The main screen indicates that the last update was at 1:36 AM.  I can't think of anything else to do before the new console arrives.  As far as I'm concerned, you may feel free to reboot things, use WeatherLink and VWS software (preferably not simultaneously), etc. etc.

A few stray questions:  Was your PC running at 1:39 AM?  If so, what applications might it have been (automatically or manually) running that require a lot of data being sent or received from the internet?  

Grasping at straws:  did anything else "unusual" happen around 1:39 AM.  Like the telephone ringing, or a lightning strike, or ......
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 18, 2011, 10:25:47 AM
I checked WL when I got home and all was well.  No PC or software was running after that.  Everything powered down, as I knew that there was a storm front coming through and heard the thunder and saw lightning many miles away...nothing came too close to my place, and no other unusual events took place.  I will go through the process of rebooting the console and will let you know in a few minutes.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 18, 2011, 10:33:29 AM
I just rebooted the console and checked WL immediately...everything is flowing fine now.  I have to attend some depositions this coming week so I will not be at home to reboot the console everyday this week...and I really do not want my wife "helping" me out with this issue, so I will just monitor it daily until the replacement console arrives later in the week.  One question though:  If my data stops flowing for 4-5 days, will I have to sign up again at WU or CWOP again when I get the replacement console installed next weekend?  I have noticed that as far as WU, when my station is not responding they will display a red "this station not responding" notice on my station page and if I check under the local weather station tabs, my station is not listed.  Just curious, but do not go to any extra effort to find out if you are not sure.  Thanks again Dalecoy.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 18, 2011, 02:35:28 PM
another question if I may
when you check the weatherlink.com web site in the morning, there was nothing you had to do with your router to get internet access?
i.e there was internet access via your router (that your WL IP data logger is using)?

i.e how do we really know its not the router that is the problem
what model/make router?
i.e another test to try is to just reboot the router only, and then see if the data starts flowing again
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 18, 2011, 02:53:47 PM
The router has been checked by my ISP tech dept. and they said it was working fine.  It is a Westell A90.  There has never been a problem with internet access when I turn on my pc in the mornings.  I can open my Weatherlink.com site immediately and about 50% of the time the data is current, and 50% of the time it has posted a "last received" notice on my current conditions on the bottom of my page.  In fact, my ISP gave my router its own static address this week when he got through testing it.  I was out of town and he was on the phone with my wife at the house and had her going through all the motions to verify it was working.  The next time it goes down, I will try the router only.  Thanks
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 18, 2011, 03:27:12 PM
Your router has a static address, but have we/you ever given your WeatherLinkIP a static address?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 18, 2011, 04:05:10 PM
I simply used what the weatherlink software detected when it first connected to the WLIP, as the software said it found the WLIP and had an address attached.  I did not enter any new/additional addresses.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 18, 2011, 04:56:08 PM
Appears to have quit again.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Flag on September 18, 2011, 05:03:51 PM
I simply used what the weatherlink software detected when it first connected to the WLIP, as the software said it found the WLIP and had an address attached.  I did not enter any new/additional addresses.

It has been suggested several times to fix the (static) IP address of the WLIP relative to the router.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 18, 2011, 05:07:49 PM
I simply used what the weatherlink software detected when it first connected to the WLIP, as the software said it found the WLIP and had an address attached.  I did not enter any new/additional addresses.

It has been suggested several times to fix the (static) IP address of the WLIP relative to the router.

Do you have simple instructions for wmcatty to follow, to do this (including his Westell A90 router)?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: xykotik on September 18, 2011, 05:19:14 PM
I found a very "rough" guide to setting up that router.  HERE (http://www.dslreports.com/faq/6323).

Perhaps someone with more Linksys experience can take it further.  On my connected devices themselves, I don't set a "STATIC IP" but instead RESERVE an IP address (within the assignable range) for the device's MAC address in the DHCP section of the router setup for just about every brand of consumer-grade router I have used.  The actual method will vary by brand/model.  That way I don't ever have to mess with the device, and whenever the router sees that MAC requesting an IP, it always assigns the same one.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 18, 2011, 06:27:43 PM
I checked with weatherlink.com and the last data was recieved at 3:39 this afternoon.  At 5:15, I rebooted the router...no change.  I am giving up on this console and appreciate all your help for the past 2 weeks.  If the new console does not fix the problem, I will try to figure something else out.  I am pretty disgusted with this issue and need to get away from it or will stroke out. 
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 18, 2011, 06:51:25 PM
I checked with weatherlink.com and the last data was recieved at 3:39 this afternoon.  At 5:15, I rebooted the router...no change.  I am giving up on this console and appreciate all your help for the past 2 weeks.  If the new console does not fix the problem, I will try to figure something else out.  I am pretty disgusted with this issue and need to get away from it or will stroke out. 

Not that it matters, but I absolutely agree.  The next logical step is the console replacement.  If that doesn't fix it, I have some thoughts, but you (and we) should leave it for the moment.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: xykotik on September 18, 2011, 07:02:57 PM
Six pages of troubleshooting, and another great example of the usefulness of special-interest forums.  If after all of this, the console is the fix, great!  That doesn't mean any of this was wheel-spinning, because it will be (hopefully) googled and read by the next poor soul having this problem.  Two seemingly incompatible philosophies apply here...

Occam's Razor:  "The simplest solution is most often the correct one."
Edison's Defense:  "It's not 1000 failures, it's 1000 things that we now know won't work."
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 18, 2011, 07:17:00 PM
I do not think it was wasted time, as I have learned alot from you boys.  Although most of the technical jargon was way over my  head, the step-by-step analysis and trouble shooting was interesting at the very least.  I will re-post after I get back later this week and let you know how the new console is working.  Have a good week to everyone.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Flag on September 19, 2011, 06:21:47 AM
I simply used what the weatherlink software detected when it first connected to the WLIP, as the software said it found the WLIP and had an address attached.  I did not enter any new/additional addresses.

It has been suggested several times to fix the (static) IP address of the WLIP relative to the router.

Do you have simple instructions for wmcatty to follow, to do this (including his Westell A90 router)?

Thought this might be more in line with your 50 years of computer experience  :lol: I've only had 1 years experience ..... 49 times over so you should be able to make simple instructions just that 1 year simplier  \:D/

Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 19, 2011, 10:23:21 AM

Thought this might be more in line with your 50 years of computer experience  :lol: I've only had 1 years experience ..... 49 times over so you should be able to make simple instructions just that 1 year simplier  \:D/


Thanks.

By the way, it looks like data flow to from WeatherLink.com from The Ranch re-started just after midnight.  I wonder why?  (Wmcatty said he wasn't going to do anything else with the router, etc.)
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 19, 2011, 04:59:31 PM
...and quit again around 3:12 PM.

This is presumably with no computers running and nothing else going on at the ranch.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 19, 2011, 08:29:37 PM
You are right Dalecoy.  I flew out this morning and nothing has been turned on at the house except the console, as my wife was with her family last night and all day today.  I just got back to my motel and checked Weatherlink and WU, and both are now "on hold" awaiting data.  If it repeats the flow like it did yesterday, I should be transmitting again by midnight.  The data "outages" seem to average about 10 hours each. The new console should be here Friday or Saturday, as it was to be shipped from the Davis warehouse in California today.  As far as equipment being on, I think I turned off my pc last night around 7:00 PM and no other devices have been accessing the WiFi signal/router since that time (other than the console).  My wife is not home yet, so the only thing connected to the router right now is the console itself.  I left the house very early this morning and did not fire up the pc before I left, so the console has had the WiFi signal all to its lonesome.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Flag on September 19, 2011, 08:40:37 PM
WiFi signal? Now just to confirm this router is cabled (as I understand it) and WiFi capable? WLIP is cabled to the router?

If so the console has nothing to do with the WiFi signal or am I missing something? 
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 19, 2011, 08:40:45 PM
Thanks for the confirmation.

This is interesting because it is very unusual to have a situation (test) where truly "nothing changed".  

[You did previously tell us that there are no loose pets in the house, didn't you?}
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 19, 2011, 08:50:29 PM
I have a Westell A90 4-port router connected via telephone cable to the phone jack (DSL line).  The devices in my home all have a wireless card built into them (PC, Kindle, Ipad).  The Davis console is connected to the WLIP, which is connected to the router by ethernet cable (data port).  I do not have any small animals in the home or interference with heat sources, tv's, etc.  My pc connects wirelessly to the internet via my router...is this not WiFi?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 19, 2011, 08:58:24 PM
(Written at the same time as wmcatty.)

WiFi signal? Now just to confirm this router is cabled (as I understand it) and WiFi capable? WLIP is cabled to the router?

If so the console has nothing to do with the WiFi signal or am I missing something?  

Router is DSL and wireless-ethernet capable.  The only Ethernet cable to the router is from the WLIP.

Yes, you are missing something.  Re-read the entire thread to get the whole picture.

One possibility being investigated, is an intermittent connection between one pin in the console, and the WLIP connector.  The investigation "technique" is to change out the console.

That possibility was not extremely high on the probability list, but a tremendous lot of other things have been (apparently) eliminated.  It is, for instance, clear that - both before and after WLIP "outages" - a computer (wirelessly) connected to the router can freely and correctly access WeatherLink.com.  So, it's not "internet connectivity" nor likely to be DNS.

Yes, I'm aware of "give the WLIP a static address".  Assuming robust WLIP firmware, that should not be necessary, and should not fix the problem, and if changing out the console doesn't fix the problem, it's the next thing on my list to do anyway.  If it happens that fixes it, we have learned something and also know that there is some problem with WLIP firmware.  As you may recall, there was a previous problem with Verizon FIOS and WLIP compatibility that required a WLIP firmware update.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 19, 2011, 09:02:41 PM
I just spoke with my wife.  She has been home for about 25 minutes and just turned on my pc.  Without connecting to the internet, she opened VWS and gave me an overview of the data. It was current.   She then opened weatherlink and downloaded the data...all was there and without any gaps.  This is exactly what has been happening from Day 1...I am getting the data to my pc software without interruption, but it is not uploading consistently to weatherlink.com (as evidenced by the current lack of data posted).  
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 19, 2011, 09:38:33 PM
Thanks fellas...but Dalecoy, you are about to lose me in this tech analysis lingo.  Since this discussion has been going on for almost 3 weeks (and 6 pages of help) now, I just want to remind/update you all on what has been transpiring since I joined this select group and requested their assistance.  First, I am not a computer guru or software tech...just an old rancher spending some money to satisfy a long standing interest in the weather (much to the dismay of my bride these past 3 weeks).  I installed a Vantage Pro2 with solar sensor at my ranch about 3 weeks ago. I installed Weatherlink software and signed up at the weatherlink.com site.  I then signed up for WU and CWOP for station identification and registered both with Weatherlink.com at that time.  Immediately thereafter, I noticed my data was being posted with daily lapses of information.  I then asked for help in this forum and received countless recommendations in response.  I then called Davis and their take on this is: (1)  Bad WLIP...so they sent me a new one and nothing has changed since installing the new data logger, as the intermittant times are still apparent on WL, WU & CWOP.  I called Davis back last week after I noticed a small piece of plastic in the WLIP connector slot (in the console itself) that was prohibiting the WLIP from making a solid "seating'.  Davis is (2) sending me a new console and it should be here this week.  
At my home, I have a 4-port wireless Westell A90 router and the WLIP is connected to it via ethernet cable. The router is connected via telephone line to the DSL jack with filters.  I have called my ISP provider and they checked out the router remotely (and with my wife at my home pc talking on the phone with the tech), and reported "no problems".  I have also changed out the router, but that did not solve the data loss problem.  Connecting to the internet is not a problem for any wireless device I use, including pc's, tablets, and Kindles.  That is all I can tell you, as you all have made so many suggestions and I have tried to implement them all...but the problem continues. I just hope that the replacement console solves this delemna, as I (and my wife) are starting to think the equipment might be a pretty good option for sighting in our rifles.  Thanks again boys, you are the best at what you do.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 19, 2011, 10:05:33 PM
Sorry about the jargon - it was intended for Flag.  Just consider it to be "geek talk" (like lawyer speak) - and was mostly about the "static address for the WLIP" interjection that Flag posted yesterday.  If it becomes necessary to explore that, I'll try to make sure you understand what's being discussed - because you will be integrally involved in actually doing it. 

That was an excellent summary of what we've looked at so far.  One omission - you are using two weather programs (WL and VWS), and we explored the possibility that they were causing the problem.  With both of them not used for hours, the upload to WeatherLink.com suddenly stopped.  Ruling out the software. 

One thing to emphasize, the WLIP has been replaced.

This is an interesting problem, and we'll eventually get it sorted out.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 19, 2011, 10:19:35 PM
Thanks Dalecoy, your help is definitely appreciated.  As far as the geek talk (like lawyer speak) relates to one another, I did not know the two were synonymous. On another note, I know that having WL and VWS open at the same times causes conflicts between the two programs.  But it seems that I cannot delete WL, as VWS requires it to be installed before the initial installation of VWS.  I never have the two programs open simultaneously, but since I rarely use WL, is it advisable to delete WL from my pc?  Or will VWS fail if I do so?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Flag on September 19, 2011, 10:45:13 PM
Not up with VWS or requirements but No don't delete WL, leave it installed, just don't run it directly (as a Local Dvice ID) unless you need to make program changes etc.

To update WL database then probbaly best to download via the "Web Download" option in the setup>Communications Port 


Really gunna have to fix that WeatherLink IP address away from DHCP  :shock:
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 19, 2011, 10:47:52 PM
Thanks Dalecoy, your help is definitely appreciated.  As far as the geek talk (like lawyer speak) relates to one another, I did not know the two were synonymous. On another note, I know that having WL and VWS open at the same times causes conflicts between the two programs.  But it seems that I cannot delete WL, as VWS requires it to be installed before the initial installation of VWS.  I never have the two programs open simultaneously, but since I rarely use WL, is it advisable to delete WL from my pc?  Or will VWS fail if I do so?

Not synonymous - two mutually-not-understandable dialects.  Like Flemish and Dutch.

And no, I wouldn't get rid of WeatherLink.  
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 19, 2011, 10:54:15 PM
Really gunna have to fix that WeatherLink IP address away from DHCP  :shock:

Do you have a logical, technical reason why that should be necessary?

As you recognized, it is a PITA (technical term) to remotely tell somebody how to do that.  It may be the subsequent step, but I am a firm believer in taking one step at a time, and the next step is replacing the console. 
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Flag on September 19, 2011, 10:58:56 PM
Really gunna have to fix that WeatherLink IP address away from DHCP  :shock:

Do you have a logical, technical reason why that should be necessary?

As you recognized, it is a PITA (technical term) to remotely tell somebody how to do that.  It may be the subsequent step, but I am a firm believer in taking one step at a time, and the next step is replacing the console. 

Gave WeatherLink DHCP away years ago due to similar sounding issues, simply have never had an issue with fixed IP since. That's not a very technical reason but when all else fails, then try what's left, and what is left at this point, not much hey?

And yes the biggest worry I have trying to tell someone how to fix the WLIP IP is making sure they can un-fix it if things go wrong as they could lock themselves out completely.   
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 19, 2011, 11:01:07 PM
No problem...just trying to eliminate any possible obstacles.  I will sit at status-quo until the new console arrives.  PS:  I have read FLAG's post 5 times and still do not understand what you two are discussing.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: xykotik on September 20, 2011, 01:07:11 AM
My head is swirling... 

This is probably unrelated, but gets me thinking about a somewhat similar symptom profile.  Although we are talking here about WL-IP, not conventional WL running on a PC and uploading from there, wmcatty's post at xx:38:33 (I don't know what time zone you have set) got me thinking about the WL5.9.2 issue of timeouts causing random software lockup in the middle of a CWOP upload, then 5.9.2a-beta fixing that, then 5.9.3 dropping chunks of uploads because certain CWOP servers (randomly assigned by the DNS it seemed) took too long and it timed out (but didn't freeze).  I personally went back to 5.9.2a-beta to get past that and have been there ever since.

Like I said, probably completely unrelated, but maybe it can stimulate some snoozing neurons.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 21, 2011, 09:51:10 AM
Notes:  No data at all yesterday.  Data flow started again about 2:00 AM today (Wednesday September 21)  ...and quit at around 1:15 PM.

Started again around 1:30 PM Thursday September 22 and quit approximately 7:00 PM.

Started again around 6:45 AM Friday September 23 and seems to have quit approximately 12:30 PM
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 22, 2011, 10:47:33 PM
...  Connecting to the internet is not a problem for any wireless device I use, including pc's, tablets, and Kindles.  

I'm also guessing that your wife may have some wireless devices.  Is there any correlation between any use of any wireless devices (which would include things like iPods, perhaps games (Wii, etc.?) -- and any of the times mentioned for the WMIP starting or stopping?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 23, 2011, 05:34:07 PM
I just received and installed the new Pro2 console at 4:25 PM this afternoon.  Data had not been uploaded and posted at WU or Weatherlink for several hours prior to that time.  Immediately upon powering up the new console, I checked with WU and Weatherlink and both had current data posted that showed it had been received within the past 3 minutes.  As far as any other wireless devices in the home, I checked with my wife and she said she had used her laptop this week but had not turned on the Ipad all week, which is the only wireless device other than my desktop and Pro2.  I will keep checking and advise.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 23, 2011, 05:40:27 PM
Thanks for inquiring about other devices - I didn't think that was a "cause" (and it should not have been), but we had a good set of on/off times, so I thought I would ask.

I'm hopeful that the new console causes everything to be "as it should be".
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 23, 2011, 06:02:33 PM
I appreciate all the data monitoring this week.  I was out of town and could not do anything but monitor the outages as well.  I am praying that the new console solves the problem as well.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 23, 2011, 10:37:13 PM
5 hours and counting...everything is looking great!  Keeping my fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 23, 2011, 10:44:03 PM
We "know" it's not the software, because of the tests you did last week.  But I would feel really good if you only sparingly used WL and VWS for the next day or two.

Holding my breath ....   8-)
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 23, 2011, 10:53:56 PM
I will do that and see what happens as well.  Thanks for the suggestion.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 23, 2011, 11:34:20 PM
Looks like it quit again.

Next question: do you have the instruction book for your Westel Router?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 23, 2011, 11:53:14 PM
I did not really myself think it would be the console that would be at fault
(but stranger things have happened I guess, so worth a try)
I personally think it all points to the router blocking the data (for what ever reason)
and so I would try a different router
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 24, 2011, 10:21:59 AM
I had my doubts also, but we had already eliminated all of the simple/obvious things, and we're down to the "one change at a time" stage. 

Data flow re-started around 4:00 AM, presumably without any human intervention.

I believe that we have eliminated (by substitution, etc.) any hardware and software on the home side of the router.  The only remaining things that we can touch are the router itself, the router setup (including giving the WLIP a static IP address), and the wiring between the router and the external telephone system.  The latter is highly unlikely to be the problem.

I invite comments from the community, as to whether I've missed something.

Wmcatty, my preference would be to follow Weather Display's suggestion to replace the router.  That would mean you telling your ISP all that we have done and persuading your ISP that sending you a replacement router is what they should do. 

However, I'm willing to try telling you how to log into the router and go through the procedure of giving the WLIP a static IP address. 

It's your call.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: xykotik on September 24, 2011, 11:41:26 AM
From the help-pages I found (skimmed) earlier, I am still not clear if that router is integrated into the modem.  While it would take all other devices off-line while you test, is it possible to bypass the router and connect directly to the modem, letting your device take the DHCP assignment?  Just until it fails again (or not, after a comfortable time).
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 24, 2011, 11:50:19 AM
From the help-pages I found (skimmed) earlier, I am still not clear if that router is integrated into the modem.  While it would take all other devices off-line while you test, is it possible to bypass the router and connect directly to the modem, letting your device take the DHCP assignment?  Just until it fails again (or not, after a comfortable time).

I suspect it's a single, integrated box.  Obviously, Wmcatty can tell us.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Bushman on September 24, 2011, 12:22:22 PM
Those integrated boxes can be a PITA.  I have a Seimens box where I now only use the modem and have a decent router (Buffalo) doing the heavy lifting.  There is a reason the telcos give them for free...
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 24, 2011, 04:46:28 PM
I use a Belkin Router, connected to a Belkin modem
works great, I personally recommend Belkin
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 24, 2011, 06:54:29 PM
Good afternoon fellas.  Sorry it took me so long to to get back online, however, the drought has now forced me to sell off most of my cows and today was a multiple trip day to the salebarn.  I got up at about 3:30 AM today and checked in with my weatherpage at Weatherlink.  The data had stopped flowing upstream to the site at 10:10 PM last night.  Not knowing what else to do, I reset the router (power down, then power on).  After a few moments, the data was current on Weatherlink.  I have not had much of a chance to do much else than jack with cows today, but when I got to the house at about 3:00 PM this afternoon, my wife told me the internet was "down".  I looked at the router and the power led was constant, the ethernet led was flashing, the wireless led was constant and the internet led was not on nor flashing.  I powered down again and re powered a few moments later.  I called my telephone company tech support and gave them the same story I gave them the week before last, at which time I was told the router was working and they had assigned it an IP address.  Today, the genius at Centurylink kept me on hold for over 90% of the 1 hour and ten minutes while he was checking this, checking that, checking data download/upload speeds, etc.  The final analysis from them is that the router is working fine since data can be transmitted without interruption to my pc software...the "problem" is the servers at Davis!  And if I wanted to exchange the router, I had to bring it into one of their Centurylink stores next week.  I opted not to accept this solution, as the store is about 160 miles from my home.
Now, the router at my home is is a Westell A-90 integrated modem/router...very cheap (and poorly constructed) according to various websites.  Since it MUST be the router causing  my problems, could you all recommend what particular modem/router/wireless combo I should pick up tomorrow...and from what source, ie, WalMart, Office Depot, etc.  Please remember that computer supply stores are very limited in my 50 mile radius.  I have another Zwire router that was recently replaced at my office, however, it is a combo router/modem and probably not much better than the Westell (both free from the various phone companies).
I will do whatever it takes to fix the problem, and most of you have now zeroed in on the router itself as being the problem since both the console and data logger have been replaced by Davis within the past week.  Just tell me what to do and it will be done!  And Dalecoy, I will need to take you up on your offer to help me with setting up a static IP for the WLIP.  Your help and patience is appreciated.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 24, 2011, 07:16:18 PM
You're going to get a lot of recommendations for what's the best router, etc.  It happens that I use a Motorola DSL modem, and otherwise (router, etc.) generally use Linksys (Cisco) equipment.

If you want to try setting a static IP for the WLIP with your current A90, we can try that.  Did an instruction manual come with it?  Otherwise, I would like you to look all over the device for more numbers.  I'm guessing you'll find "versalink" and/or "7500" on it somewhere, but that's just a guess.

[Note: there are TWO ways of getting a static IP for the WLIP.  The way I prefer, at this point, is to tell the router to always assign the same IP when this WLIP asks for one]
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 24, 2011, 07:23:27 PM
  I looked at the router and the power led was constant, the ethernet led was flashing, the wireless led was constant and the internet led was not on nor flashing.  I powered down again and re powered a few moments later. 

I presume you're saying you power-cycled the A90?

That set of symptoms (internet led not on) indicates a problem with the Centurylink service.  Have you noticed this before?  If it happens again, I recommend not power-cycling the A90, and just calling tech support.  Of course, the first thing they will do is tell you to power-cycle it, but that establishes a track record.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 24, 2011, 07:24:30 PM
A90 7500 is what is printed on the bottom.  The router was installed by the telephone company when they hooked up my telephone/DSL lines in early July.  No books, manuals or instructions came with the install.  After encountering the problem today with the lack of internet connection on the router LED itself, I think I may be better served to buy a quality replacement modem/router.  Should I be looking at an integrated unit or separate components?  
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 24, 2011, 07:29:58 PM
Yes, power-cycled is what I did.  Immediately after the router rebooted itself, all was well with the internet connection and my wife was able to connect.  She said the "internet was off" for several hours and after I power-cycled the unit all was back to where it should have been within 45 seconds of that action.  This was the first time I had encountered that problem, but also the first time I have not had internet service in the past 3 months (since getting DSL service in my area).  I do not know if this is important (or will help with the analysis), but I have been using a pretty cheap extension cord from the wall socket to electrify both the router and the console...until today.  My wife went out this morning and picked up a battery backup unit with surge surpressor, which I installed after I power-cycled the router.  
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 24, 2011, 07:51:52 PM
A90 7500 is what is printed on the bottom.  After encountering the problem today with the lack of internet connection on the router LED itself, I think I may be better served to buy a quality replacement modem/router.  Should I be looking at an integrated unit or separate components?  

Let's talk about the "modem" part first.  The bottom line is that - if you do not have a modem that is approved by your ISP, then any problems are your responsibility to fix.  (i.e., "not supported")

So, as a practical matter, you will need to call CenturyLink and ask what they approve and where you might get one in your neighborhood.

If you can get just a plain modem (single port), that would be nice - but I doubt they have one.  If not, the only thing they will have is a combination modem/router.  Your choice then will be whether to get one with wireless, or without wireless. 

If you get one without wireless, then you also buy your choice of wireless routers to hook to it.  That's a bit more complicated to set up, but also means that more things are under your control.

Yeah, I know it's complicated.

Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 24, 2011, 10:14:57 PM
A90 7500 is what is printed on the bottom.  The router was installed by the telephone company when they hooked up my telephone/DSL lines in early July.  No books, manuals or instructions came with the install.  After encountering the problem today with the lack of internet connection on the router LED itself, I think I may be better served to buy a quality replacement modem/router.  Should I be looking at an integrated unit or separate components?  

I think this is the manual for your modem/router.  It's in .pdf format.  Please download it and see if it matches what the box looks like.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 24, 2011, 11:36:08 PM
No attachments were appendaged.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 24, 2011, 11:41:10 PM
Well, shucks!     :oops:

http://www.westell.com/docs/support-documents/westell_versalinka90_userguide.pdf?Status=Master
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: JACK10562 on September 25, 2011, 09:48:40 AM
Quick question: is the router Time-out enable checked, turning OFF the DSL connection itself with "inactivity"?

Lastly, assigning a static IP to the WLIP datalogger itself appears to be one of the few things yet to be tried.

It's been a while since I used WLIP myself, but if I recall, the easiest method to do this is to open a browser window and type in the the LAN IP address the router has already assigned to the WLIP. Once there, a page will display where one can assign a static address. Assign it an address outside the router's DHCP  range limits.

Another method is to assign the WLIP datalogger it's static IP address from within the router configuration pages. I am unfamiliar with your hardware, so a trip to the user manual should give needed direction.

Intermittent "connection" and data distribution issues I had experienced with WeatherlinkIP and Davis's site led me to install a serial datalogger in the console and leave my computer on 24/7 in order to update CWOP, WU, PWS and WeatherBug. It's been rock-solid ever since. Best move I ever made.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: George Richardson on September 25, 2011, 09:56:52 AM
I don't think this has been covered (long thread!). I too have Centurylink DSL. Had some problems a while back. Tech came out 3 times. Wanted to know if any phones in house did not have DSL filter on line? No. Well, can't figure it out, will run unfiltered line to modem and put a block filter on incoming line to rest of house. Did and problem cleared up. Later remembered Direct TV had installed new HDDVR Receiver and of course, hooked up the phone line with no filter. Probably was the problem.

Other than that, I think I would ask Century link for a new MODEM only (not a gateway). Then add your own router. That way, they must get a "good" signal into your home.

FWIW
George
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 25, 2011, 10:37:25 AM
I don't think this has been covered (long thread!). I too have Centurylink DSL. Had some problems a while back. Tech came out 3 times. Wanted to know if any phones in house did not have DSL filter on line? No. Well, can't figure it out, will run unfiltered line to modem and put a block filter on incoming line to rest of house. Did and problem cleared up. Later remembered Direct TV had installed new HDDVR Receiver and of course, hooked up the phone line with no filter. Probably was the problem.

Other than that, I think I would ask Century link for a new MODEM only (not a gateway). Then add your own router. That way, they must get a "good" signal into your home.

FWIW
George

George, that's an excellent question.  Wmcatty?

I have gone through the A90 manual (and consulted a couple of other folks, too), and can't find a clear and obvious way to get the router to assign the WLIP a static IP address based on MAC address - without messing up some other stuff and possibly bricking the router.

Request: I would appreciate it if someone who has actual experience setting a WLIP to a static address, would volunteer to lead Wmcatty through that procedure.

I'll (first) try to get Wmcatty through the more-complex procedure of checking a few settings and things on the router (without changing them) and determining what IP address to set the WLIP to, but I don't feel comfortable telling him how to actually do the WLIP part (I haven't ever done it myself).

All of that assumes that Wmcatty is willing, and can find the time, to try this stuff.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 25, 2011, 12:53:21 PM
I will try anything today.  After removing the modem yesterday and trying another one, I reinstalled the Westell.  Now, my weatherlink software is telling me that there is a communication port problem and cannot locate the WLIP.  And tech support at Centurylink is useless.  Right now I am heading out to buy a router and will install it and report back. 
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: JACK10562 on September 25, 2011, 01:08:52 PM
Give this a shot: Shut everything down, close WeatherLink, disconnect the Ethernet cable, unplug the weather station console and remove the batteries. Next power-cycle the gateway/modem/router to "clear" the DHCP assignment tables. Reconnect the Ethernet cable and power-up the weather station.
Hopefully now the WL software will "see" the console.

Installing a "second" router to a modem/gateway that is issuing LAN IP addresses can cause more problems than it can cure.

If you currently have strictly a pure modem (bridge) then doing so will be fine, otherwise you  may have to disable the existing gateway's DHCP server, or do the same for the new router.

Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 25, 2011, 02:15:59 PM
I will try anything today.  After removing the modem yesterday and trying another one, I reinstalled the Westell.  

Please elaborate on exactly how you "reinstalled the Westell".  

If it is possible, I'd like you to do the following.  If there is a problem/question at any point, just stop and ask for advice.  None of this changes anything on your router.

In your browser, type the router's address:  http://192.168.1.1 and press Enter.

You should see a panel to log in to the router.  Try the following for "User" and "Password".  

User: admin Password: password <<< This is probably the default.
admin admin
admin (blank)
(blank) admin

If you can't get logged in, it might not be advisable to try adding another router - unless you got one that is a combination DSL modem/router and you're intending to get rid of the A90.

Assuming you get logged in:

On the "Home" panel:

1.  Highlight the Security tab and select Security Level, and write down the security level.

2.  Highlight the Security tab and select Security Log, and see if there is anything interesting.

3.  Highlight the Advanced tab, select LAN and then the DHCP pulldown.  Write down all of the information on that panel.

4. Highlight the Advanced tab, select Diagnostics, then the System Status Tables, then LAN Devices.  Write down all of the information on that panel.  Hopefully, you will be able to tell which one is the WLIP.  Be very careful to get the "MAC Address" recorded correctly.

Now you can log out, and post information on what you saw.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 25, 2011, 08:11:16 PM
I just purchased and installed a Netgear Broadband ADSL2+ Modem and a Linksys E2500 Dual Band N-Router.  I had a great deal of difficulty getting the modem installed while speaking with Netgears tech support in India, but was finally able to get all the specs programmed and got a DSL signal.  The router was much easier to install and I have the Davis console wired to it via ethernet cable.  All data seems to be flowing to WL as it should.  The Westell is in the trash can. I understand that it is possible to program the router to designate a single port for data transmission alone.  Is this something you could walk me through Dalecoy?  Sorry not to have responded to your last post, but I just got things back up and running a few minutes ago after doing exactly what you recommended to get the new modem installed.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 25, 2011, 10:15:08 PM
I just purchased and installed a Netgear Broadband ADSL2+ Modem and a Linksys E2500 Dual Band N-Router.  I had a great deal of difficulty getting the modem installed while speaking with Netgears tech support in India, but was finally able to get all the specs programmed and got a DSL signal.  The router was much easier to install and I have the Davis console wired to it via ethernet cable.  All data seems to be flowing to WL as it should.  The Westell is in the trash can. I understand that it is possible to program the router to designate a single port for data transmission alone.  Is this something you could walk me through Dalecoy? ...

OK, but who are you, and what have you done with the guy who said:

By the way Dalecoy, I am a skilled lawyer with semiskilled nagging urges...no technical issues with me.  Better at working my horses, cows, building fine-furniture pieces, rebuilding engines and tractors, and turning on the PC in the morning.  If technical devices do not work correctly, call the techs out.  For me, software and hardware difficulties are better serviced by someone that has the knowledge and experience...I do not make my claim to fame in this arena.

I am seriously impressed.  And I think the thing to do now is to just watch for a couple of days, to verify that you have fixed your problem.  I'm fairly confident that you got it.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 25, 2011, 10:37:36 PM
I hope the problem is getting close to being over.  After 4 weeks of this, I do not think my patience could have been tested much longer.  This little problem has forced me to learn things I never had previously wanted to know about, much less implement.  The guy that previously knew nothing about the tech stuff is still around, but a little more savy and appreciative of those that have a command of the tech analysis.   Now that virtually everything wireless in my home has been replaced within the past two weeks, the problem will hopefully not rear its ugly head again.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Flag on September 26, 2011, 04:14:24 AM
I can feel a static IP coming on  :shock:
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 26, 2011, 05:04:41 AM
4am local time and its still updating
looks like a winner, whew!
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: JACK10562 on September 26, 2011, 07:21:19 AM
I can feel a static IP coming on  :shock:

For things such as this it makes absolute sense to take it off DHCP, why leave it up to a piece of hardware to negotiate IP address lease renewals for something permanently connected?

Set it and forget it, or, more realistically for quite a few of us: if it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!

@ the OP, I hope this does the trick!
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 26, 2011, 08:22:02 AM
8:10 AM now and 14 hours of data have flowed without interruption.  I am not positive, but I think that is close to a record.  Thanks to all for the words of encouragement!
On another note, yesterday was 106 degrees here in God's Country...the 88th day of 100+ temps within the last 4 months...and only 0.03 inches of rain since April.  You gotta love it.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: JACK10562 on September 26, 2011, 10:45:20 AM
Just a thought, while throwing away the old Westell might feel good, maybe not be the best idea, perhaps sometime in the future Centurylink might want it back.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 26, 2011, 10:59:07 AM
Just a thought, while throwing away the old Westell might feel good, maybe not be the best idea, perhaps sometime in the future Centurylink might want it back.

Yes.  Wmcatty, I suggest that you determine whether you initially purchased the modem/router from Centurylink, or whether you were paying a monthly rental, or what.  That is, of course, a legal question.   :grin:
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 26, 2011, 01:47:30 PM
You are both right.  I called Centurylink and although there is no lease or monthly payment for their equipment, they would like to have it back. I will dig it out of the trash and return it to them as such.  Good Call.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 26, 2011, 01:53:12 PM
You are both right.  I called Centurylink and although there is no lease or monthly payment for their equipment, they would like to have it back. I will dig it out of the trash and return it to them as such.  Good Call.

Perhaps, in kindness to some other customer, you might want to permanently write "Does not work correctly" on it.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 26, 2011, 08:45:42 PM
Over 24 hours of data.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 26, 2011, 09:34:29 PM
26 continuous hours now.  That is a record, but I will continue to monitor the data flow for a couple of more days before declaring victory.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 27, 2011, 10:30:56 PM
Over 50 hours.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 28, 2011, 06:08:31 PM
Three full days of data have now flowed without the usual 8-12 hours of daily interruption.  A great big thanks to all of you that have made this possible through your constant monitoring, analysis, comments and recommendations.  Now it is time to close this particular posting and hope that it helps the next guy with similar difficulties. I have to admit that I was forced to learn things that I never, ever, expected to delve into and implement on my own...primarily due to a fear of the unknown I think.  But you boys make it seem so damned simple I had to give it a try, and I am glad I did.  Best wishes from Central Texas, where it is only 101 degrees at the end of Sept...just 3 days before deer hunting season starts!    :grin:
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: SlowModem on September 28, 2011, 06:47:32 PM
Three full days of data have now flowed without the usual 8-12 hours of daily interruption.  A great big thanks to all of you that have made this possible through your constant monitoring, analysis, comments and recommendations.  Now it is time to close this particular posting and hope that it helps the next guy with similar difficulties. I have to admit that I was forced to learn things that I never, ever, expected to delve into and implement on my own...primarily due to a fear of the unknown I think.  But you boys make it seem so damned simple I had to give it a try, and I am glad I did.  Best wishes from Central Texas, where it is only 101 degrees at the end of Sept...just 3 days before deer hunting season starts!    :grin:

Your problem might only affect one out of a hundred or one out of a thousand.  But, it seems to me that anyone thinking about getting the IP logger should read this thread before deciding.   :-k

Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 28, 2011, 08:53:25 PM
Greg:  Let us both hope that another forum member does not have to go through 27 days of pure hell as far as data is concerned...but if anyone has a similar problem, then this is the place to be and the problem resolved.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: SlowModem on September 28, 2011, 10:59:08 PM
Greg:  Let us both hope that another forum member does not have to go through 27 days of pure hell as far as data is concerned...but if anyone has a similar problem, then this is the place to be and the problem resolved.

I whole heartedly agree.  I hope you're data streram continues uninterrupted.  :)
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 28, 2011, 11:20:46 PM
Thanks so much for all the help.  My wife has been at home the past two weeks by her lonesome for the most part and it is nice to be able to get home and monitor the information without having heart palpitations.  My ranch hands have been on heightened-alert for bandios and cattle rustlers while I have been traveling the past couple of weeks and are getting the needed rest they deserve as well.  I am looking forward to seeing the fruits of my labor actually getting uploaded without any daily interruptions and looking forward to seeing my daily data posted as well.  Wishing you and the others well from Central Texas,
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: JACK10562 on September 28, 2011, 11:35:08 PM
Bottom line, it was crappy telco supplied DSL hardware, and nothing to do with Davis,  after all.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on September 29, 2011, 12:27:10 AM
When all is said and done, you are as right as rain.  I am besides myself that it took 3 1/2 weeks and a complete hardware change-out to get to the bottom of it...even though that CenturyLink had checked out (remotely) my router and said "all was fine" with it. 
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Weather Display on September 29, 2011, 04:30:51 AM
Kudos to Davis for coming to the party and swapping out the data logger then the console, when it was the router that was the problem, in the end
(was a matter of elimination though, but maybe a lesson to others that it might be the router to look at first)
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 29, 2011, 10:10:26 AM
Kudos to Davis for coming to the party and swapping out the data logger then the console, when it was the router that was the problem, in the end
(was a matter of elimination though, but maybe a lesson to others that it might be the router to look at first)

The router was one of the first suspects.  However, it was working fine for all other devices in the house (all of them being wireless), and CenturyLink checked it out at least twice, and it's unusual for just the "wired" part of a router to have this sort of problem.

Note also that I did suggest that wmcatty try hooking his PC up with a wired cable rather than wireless, but he didn't have a cable to try that with.  So, that diagnosis wasn't done. 

And we really don't know whether it was something in router hardware, something inherently "wrong" with this particular Westell router's firmware, or something strange with the router options/setup that could have been corrected.  [Not that it would be worth exploring those aspects - I'm just pointing out what we don't know]

The key to solving this problem was to take it step by step, and not just throw solutions at it, nor jump to conclusions.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: JACK10562 on September 29, 2011, 12:50:56 PM
I blame The ISP / DSL provider, they dropped the ball by misdiagnosing the connection issue. I would think when you called they should have been able to look at their logs and say: "oh, your modem lost sync for so many minutes/hours on such and such date..."  rather than just say" it looks ok" ...Of course it was OK, that is right after you rebooted it, it was ok...
 ](*,)
 #-o
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on September 29, 2011, 01:59:33 PM
Perhaps you should review the information in this thread.  Several times, it was said that other devices in the house could easily connect to the ethernet, while the WLIP connection was "down".  It was also stated that the correct lights (internet, etc.) were lit.  All of that would seem to indicate that the modem had not lost sync.

"Lost sync" (lost internet connection) is exactly the reason that I asked about connectivity of other devices while the WLIP was out.  

I'm not saying there was nothing indicative that the ISP could have seen.  Nor am I attempting to excuse the ISP.  But perhaps it was not that obvious.

I do fault the ISP for not offering (at about the 3rd call) to send a replacement modem for exchange.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on October 16, 2011, 01:37:40 PM
Still doing OK?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on October 16, 2011, 03:07:13 PM
Everything is running like a Swiss watch, Dalecoy. 
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: wmcatty on October 19, 2011, 07:56:31 PM
Now that everything is running well and without any problems since the hardware change-out, I want to ask you all if you think I should designate a specific router port for the data?  I have always subscribed to the theorem that "if it aint't broke, don't fix it", but the earlier/past comments in this thread have suggested at times that a designated data port might possibly have been a solution to my data transmission difficulties.  Now knowing that it was the Centurylink router and not the console, data logger or software, (as evidenced by the uninterrupted flow of data being posted since the installation of the modem and router), would it be advisable to designate a specific port on the router now for this purpose?  I have had absolutely zero problems since the installation of the new hardware and no conflicts with VWS, etc. All my data is currently displayed timely and uploaded to WU and CWOP without any problems. I do not know if a designated port will improve anything at all, but suspect it might actually cause some type of problem in the future since all is well at this time...or I am being naive? 

You boys have solved my last problem so I just wanted to run it by you all to get some consensus on what you think about this...as well as get some idea on how to accomplish this task if it be "required".  What do you think would be the best route to take?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: xykotik on October 19, 2011, 09:39:44 PM
Does the WLIP support incoming connections for any type of web service?  If not, IMHO you don't need to do a thing.  Many ports are designated or "well known" for specific types of connections, like http=80, ftp=21, and such.  If you had a webserver of some sort, then you might want to route xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:9999 (isp assigned IP:random-port) to 192.168.xxx.xxx:80 to hit it from outside.  (It's a cheap security trick to change the inbound port of security cameras with built-in webservers to something other than the default of 80 or whatever, to make it harder to find by chance)  Otherwise, I personally don't know what benefit it would bring.

I WOULD however reserve an IP address (whatever it has now), assigned to the MAC address of the WLIP in your router's DHCP table. That was it is always assigned the same IP address whenever it registers.  That just makes it easier to keep track of, after power resets of your network when you want to access it from behind your router (LAN).
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: dalecoy on October 19, 2011, 10:23:54 PM
Now that everything is running well and without any problems since the hardware change-out, I want to ask you all if you think I should ... (do something.

I have always subscribed to the theorem that "if it aint't broke, don't fix it", but the earlier/past comments in this thread have suggested (things...

Unless you have a good, technical reason for changing something, follow that theorem. 

Technically, there "should not" be any need for anything more than the setup you now have.  So, if it continues to work, why try to "improve" it?
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Randall Kayfes on October 20, 2011, 12:09:34 AM
Just as a side note there is now in the wild a DNS Trojan that is wreaking havoc with computers and thier connected routers...
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: xykotik on October 20, 2011, 01:24:19 AM
Just as a side note there is now in the wild a DNS Trojan that is wreaking havoc with computers and thier connected routers...

Do you have any more details than that?  DNS hijacks are nothing new, but you mentioned routers as targets.

Side note and/or for reference.  THIS ONE (http://blogs.technet.com/b/mmpc/archive/2011/08/10/can-we-believe-our-eyes.aspx) got me bad a couple of years ago.  If I tried to log into ebay, it would redirect me to a spoof ebay phishing site, complete with missspellled words and bad engrish, but with the REAL EBAY.COM domain name!  Same thing with paypal.com and other choice sites.  You could get to google.com (also spoofed), but if you searched for "virus scan" or "malware tools" or such, it would return bogus search results that would always go to an apparently notorious warez site that made my "safe-surf" util scream and/or block.  You would get 404s or redirects for anything like mcaffee.com or symantec.com or anywhere that might lead you to a fix.  I couldn't scrub it out and ended up replacing the drive after pulling my files from it.  Since it is rare for me to concede to a virus (this was the first defeat on one of my own systems), I kept the drive in case I learned more about it.  Yep, this was how they did it (http://blogs.technet.com/b/mmpc/archive/2011/08/10/can-we-believe-our-eyes.aspx).  (Bright side, now I have a spare 500GB PATA for my TiVos!)
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: Randall Kayfes on October 20, 2011, 12:23:39 PM
What we are seeing is alot of routers needing to be reset to their factory defaults and then reset to customer settings to get the DNS settings straightened out.  We are just starting to investigate what is actually happening to change them other than variants of the DNSChanger trojan are also present on the client machines.
Title: Re: Davis Pro2 data reporting question
Post by: xykotik on October 21, 2011, 11:57:39 AM
What we are seeing is alot of routers needing to be reset to their factory defaults and then reset to customer settings to get the DNS settings straightened out.  We are just starting to investigate what is actually happening to change them other than variants of the DNSChanger trojan are also present on the client machines.

Are these enterprise level routers or consumer?  I was wondering how they would be able to insert or run code on the router.  I suppose if it is just a matter of hitting various un-firewalled and/or factory-default routers and trying "admin-admin" until they get into one and change a DNS, that's one way I suppose.  Sounds like this is more than that.