B2 Web UI does not respond

[Tony Schene]

The web UI on my B2 has suddenly stopped responding. It was working fine for weeks, then today, nothing. I am accessing it via WiFi. So far, I have verified that the IP address is correct, it is appearing on my router, and it responds to ICMP pings. Further, I have monitored traffic to it with Wireshark and can see that it actually does set up a connection on port 80 when I try to access it via HTTP, but it does not respond to the subsequent GET request. I also see that it is correctly sending ARP requests and responses. I have tried several network devices (phone, laptop, workstation), all with the same result.

So in a nutshell, the network to the B2 is operational, and the B2 does seem to work at the TCP/IP level, but the HTTP service in the B2 is unresponsive. Can you suggest a course of action to address this issue?

Thanks,

    -Tony

[Tony Schene]

Two additional pieces of information. The current software version is "Jul 10 2018 14:54:34". When I attempt to do a Web upgrade, the display indicates "Loading" forever (or at least for an hour now).

     -Tony

[Tony Schene]

One additional piece of information. I upgraded the B2 using a USB stick and the latest software version on the web site. After that, the web UI started responding, but was very sluggish. I was also able to login via ssh. But after a few hour, the UI stopped responding, and ssh does not respond, either. After the upgrade, the software version was the same as it was before. I am basically back to square one.

     -Tony

[PMB]

Hi Tony,

You sound like you are tech savvy, so would you be able to re-image the SD Card - see 'SD Card Image' on this web page?

'Jul 10 2018' is the latest version software.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[JustAnOrdinaryJoanna]

Very odd as this has happened to me this morning. All I have now is a black screen.
I've resetup the wifi twice, switched the B2 off (after saving) & back on. I haven't performed any system updates since it arrived a couple of weeks ago so can't think what's changed.
I've also tried changing the network (which provided the same address) & Scan disk. My next step will be to try an extension for the dongle, but I'll have to get one first.
The web ui sits on the next tab to this one, so I'm puzzled.

[JustAnOrdinaryJoanna]

Addition to comment-
The update was when the B2 arrived to ensure that it had the latest version.

[Tony Schene]

Yes, I can re-image the SD card. In fact, I was hoping I could do this as it would make me more confident that there is no lingering corruption. I have a problem with the provided instructions, though. They state that I should obtain the latest OS using Settings->Web Upgrade, but my prior experience is that this not work. When I tried it after the problem first emerged, it just hung forever. I thought of loading the file provided in the "Latest Software" page, but it includes only files in /var/www, and not the entire OS image. Is there some way I can obtain a complete "fresh" SD card image that does not entail using Settings->Web Upgrade? Or am I misunderstanding the instructions?

Thanks,

     -Tony

[JustAnOrdinaryJoanna]

Well, for whatever reason the web ui is working again today. Very odd...

[PMB]

Hi Tony,

If you click the link on our Techy Stuff web page it takes you to a Google download page. The title is shown as B2Nov102017 but it is actually a link to the 4th Jan 2018 SD Card image.

Download and unzip results in a file called B24thJan2018B.img which is around 1.9GB.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[PMB]

Hi Joanna,

Sounds strange. If it happens again please try to describe the sequence of events leading up to the UI not being shown.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Tony Schene]

Thank you very much, Paul. I'll do this today after work.

[Tony Schene]

Well, to make a long story short, it was the wireless Ethernet dongle.

I'll elaborate further for the benefit of anyone who has a similar problem:

• First, I flashed and inserted a new SD card. It had no effect, so I removed it and replaced it with the original.
• I then attached a physical Ethernet cable. That solved the problem - the web UI was very responsive as was an ssh connection. Unfortunately, this is not a long-term solution for me as there is no Ethernet outlet anywhere near the audio equipment where the B2 must live.
• I detached the Ethernet cable and tried the wireless again. This time it worked fine. Of course, I now have it sitting right next to the wireless router so the signal strength is perfect.
• I took it back to its permanent home near the audio equipment and the problem reoccurred. I checked the signal strength for the B2 on the router, and it's comparable to other devices in the same area - a little better, in fact.
• I then used a USB extender cable to locate the dongle about 2 feet away from the B2, and now I've got a good network connection. The web UI and ssh connections are both very responsive. This in spite of the fact that the signal strength is now a little bit worse!

I have to say that I'm a bit surprised by the behavior of this wireless dongle. It seems that it's the proximity to the B2 that causes the problem, not the signal strength. Longer term I'll probably get an access point or a Powerline Ethernet for the B2 since I no longer really trust the dongle.

Anyway, I want to thank Paul for the excellent and timely support. Even though the SD card wasn't the problem, you gave me the information that I needed to complete the process of elimination and arrive at the solution. I hope others find this information useful.

     -Tony

[PMB]

HI Tony,

Thanks for the useful feedback.

Unfortunately we have no control over individual network setups and so do our best to suggest solutions to problems.

It does appear in a few situations that the WiFi dongle is affected by the B2's metal case (as well as other equipment) and fitting it on an extension cable is a good solution.

As I have mentioned before, 'good WiFi signal level' does not also mean 'good WiFi signal quality', as you have found.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[lesliebr...@gmail.com]

Hi Tony, good to hear you found a solution to the problem. You say in your original post that everything was working fine for a couple of weeks, then the problem started. Makes me think something had to have changed. Wifi signal strength, signal quality, position of unit, or introduction of other electronics nearby that might cause a interference. If two feet difference and a slightly worse signal strength fixes the problem, the signal qaulity at the new position must be better. Which poses the question, what changed the signal quality at the original dongle position of the B2? Electronics baffle me. I had Web UI problems originally, which were sorted by getting the antenna dongle Matin and Paul recommended. It improved the signal strength enough to make the Web UI stable and fairly reliable. Still has the odd hic-up, but rights itself again. My wifi strength is only -62dBm to -65dbm so is only creeping into what is regarded as a good reliable signal, but was in the -70dBm plus region before and was unstable until I got the antenna dongle. The extension lead method may have worked. Must try it sometime as a trial. Main thing is you've got it working and if it's working don't change it.

Regards, 

Leslie.