New modem causing VE Pro dropouts

[JZilla]

Hi folks. I've just recently replaced my DSL modem due to some problems I was having with the older one, and have encountered some unexpected results. I'm running a 2006 Mac Pro master computer with an 8-core 3.0 GHz CPU and 16 gigs of RAM, and a i7 PC with 32 GB of RAM. They're connected by a D-Link DGS-1005D Ethernet switch that is then plugged into the new modem to access the outside world. I'm using DP8, and mostly Kontakt within VE Pro 5.

I'm about to start a new film project, so have been building my new template, splitting the load across my Mac master and my PC slave. When I actually go to play anything, even single notes, I'm getting dropouts of a couple of seconds on a fairly regular basis, maybe every 10 seconds or so. The CPU meter in Digital Performer is spiking and flashing the red LED overload for the spikes as well. This is at a RAM buffer of 512, switiching to 1024 doesn't make a difference. The only thing that's new in the setup is the modem, so for kicks I tried unplugging the Ethernet switch from it so see if that made a difference, and lo and behold, everything works fine. Plug it back in, and it's back to the dropouts.

So it seems to be that the modem is somehow interfering with the data transfer across the switch. I'd like to keep the Mac connected to the internet if possible, which it should be, since I wasn't having this problem up until the new modem came into play. Any suggestions?

Jeff

[bayswater]

If the two Macs are networked (e.g. in some direct way that does not go through the router), only one has to have an internet connection. On that Mac, enable internet sharing, and the second Mac can use the internet connection of the first Mac.

[Killahurts]

Jeff, it may not help, but must be asked.. are you using a dedicated, high quality gigabit switch (for just the computer)? And, CAT6 or better cables?

[JZilla]

Hey folks, thanks for the replies. I've switched over to using the second ethernet port on the Mac to connect to the PC, and that seems to be better so far. And I am using a fairly decent quality gigabit switch (I seem to remember I bought it on the recommendation of another forum member who seemed to know what he was talking about), and they are CAT6 cables.

Now to figure out why the CPU load in DP is so high with VE...on to the next problem.