High Speed Internet (DSL) and Dial-Up

[#1]

I get an ARP broadcast once each second and a ping every 10 seconds, from the Westell 6100

This seems to have started when the new Westell menus were installed.

I unplugged computers & the phone line from the router and its lights still flicker--the packets are generated in the Westell.

Examining the traffic with Ethereal shows: (where 'it' is 192.168.1.1)

It is broadcasting one ARP request a second, cycling through the ports from 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.255 (takes about 4 minutes to go around).

It also pings the (two) attached computers (one Windows2000, one WindowsXP) every 10 or 15 seconds.

It also sends something out on the phone line once per second (the 'internet' light flashes) but I have no way of telling what is sent (or received) there.

I telephoned Verizon technical service and got no explanation.

The extra traffic doesn't seem to interfere, though service is variable enough that there is really no way to tell.

Googling found that some cable modems do this (the term is 'ARP storm')

Does anyone know why it is happening? Or how to make it stop? Or does is serve some purpose?

[#2]

I have the same exact thing going on with my Westell 327w. It did not happen until new firmware(4.4.3.0) was "pushed" to it. No notification was given that this was done. Verizon says that it is not their policy to upgrade without telling, Westell won't even talk to me("we provide no end user support"). I certainly would know if "I" had done it! Anyway, all efforts to resolve have been fruitless - probably about 2 hours of phone time with numerous locations, all together. However, we have determined that both my modem and PC are capable of performing a reset, numerous times(what a joke!). It is for sure a "new" firmware feature. Verizon certainly does not write the firmware and I have not been able to locate anyone that seems to know how to impact the people that do. Simply a switch via the gateway interface, to make it an option, would be nice.

Personally, I feel that this compromises my security a bit. If my elink led is flashing when I am doing nothing, I do want to know what is causing it. If it constantly flashes I have lost that layer of added protection. I had been running the previous firmware version for over 3 years with no complaints. Now "somebody" has chosen to fix something that was not broken(without my approval) and I am no longer happy. Does seem like a silly way to keep the customer satisfied.

All really want is to be reflashed to the previous version of firmware. Everyone keeps saying "it cannot be done", NONSENSE! Their only solution is to send me a different modem with different firmware. Somehow I'm thinking it's gonna be a 6100 like yours and you know what that means. Anyway, if you manage to get any resolution, please do let me know.

[#3]

Sure enough - new 6100F - ARP,ARP,ARP,ARP,ARP... shear troubleshooting genius!