Ok, this may take a bit to understand, but I will do my best to explain...
I have been having issues tonight with connecting from one Tivo to the other via my home network. I have had this exact configuration for over 2 months now without an issue, until suddenly tonight I have had problems.
Part A) My overall problem is that, with all three Tivo DVRs connected through my Linksys Router (BEFSR41) and Linksys 5-port Switch (EZXS55W) to communicate with each other, and get to the Internet via my Motorola Surfboard Cable Modem. They each have wired Linksys USB Ethernet Adapters (USB100M 10/100Mbps USB Network Adapter), and are pulling IP addresses via DHCP from my router without an issue. I can connect to the Tivo service from each device, and they can see each other by name (except for one issue, which I will get into later in Part B) in the Now Playing List from each respective Tivo, they just cannot browse each other. All three are set up to allow transfers through Tivo Online, and each are running the latest version of the Tivo software (7.1b-01-2-240). I can ping each of them from my PC (also hardwired on my network) with a persistent ping for several minutes, and get 100% success in my responses, and with a quick turn-around (average of 1 ms for 180+ packets). I can also successfully transfer shows from each Tivo to my PC via the Tivo Desktop software (version 2.0) without an issue, and I can browse the contents of the Tivo with the same software and see up-to-the-minute changes, such as new recordings, from the Tivo Desktop software on my PC. I have restarted each Tivo, and I even completely rebooted one of them (removed power cord and network adapter for 15 seconds, and reconnected it) at the request of the Tivo tech, and I still had no luck getting it to work. Again, they still have the other Tivo devices show up in Now Playing, and they still obtain an IP, but suddenly they cannot browse the other Tivo devices at all. I receive an error when attempting to browse the other Tivo DVRs from any one of the three:
The [DVRNAME] DVR could not be reached due to an unexpected problem.
Reason: 0xffff
If you continue to see this message, visit [LINK REMOVED] or go to TiVo Central and select "Messages & Setup" > "Troubleshooting" > "Transfer Troubleshooting" for further assistance.
Press LEFT to return to the Now Playing List.
I went through everything here, as well as two different techs (who were discussing this with their Tier II support techs, as well), and I did everything they asked, and more... They said it was an issue with Linksys Routers dropping packets, and suggested I replace the router with another brand, or contact Linksys about the problem. I kindly explained that I was not dropping packets at all, as I can ping each, and that eliminates that, but they insisted that I at least try to replace the router, as they believe it to be dropped packets... I told them that I had no issues transferring shows to my PC, though, so that, coupled with the fact that I had no dropped packets with my ping tests, should narrow it down to the Tivo DVRs themselves... I also explained to them that I had this exact same setup (from routers/switches/internet, to network adapters, to wiring, etc) for over 2 months, and this same router connected to a couple of Tivo DVRs for much longer, and have NEVER had a problem with any of them communicating in any way, until tonight... He said try a new router, and then if that didn't work, take it back, and call them again....
Part B) This is another thing that happened tonight... When I first noticed this issue with the Living Room DVR (didn't know it was all three at the time), I started to troubleshoot by checking my settings, my connections, and even restarting the DVR--troubleshooting that any tech would do... I then called Support, and while I was talking to the guy, I noticed that my DVR had lost it's name (it was called Living Room DVR, and showed that way in my System Information under DVR Name for the last few months since I set this all up at my new house... I suddenly noticed that the name was now showing as <Name this DVR on tivo_com>. I went to Tivo_com, and checked, and everything was set up correctly there, showing all the names as they should be, and have been.... The tech asked me to do several troubleshooting steps, in order, including renaming the DVR, turning off "Allow Transfers", and saving the config, then re-enabling the transfers and saving again. He then had me unplug my DVR (as stated earlier), and reconnect it after 15 seconds. He said force the connection to the Tivo service, and wait two hours, and my problem would be fixed (this was the first time I called, and before I knew about all the issues I was having with every DVR). I did that, but called back after about an hour and a half, as I noticed the issues described in Part A with all the DVRs. As I type this, it has been well-over two hours, and nothing has changed on the Living Room DVR (now called "none" in the Now Playing List of the other DVRs in my house). I also noticed that my Bedroom DVR is now showing the same thing (<Name this DVR on tivo_com> rather than the name Bedroom DVR, as it used to up until about an hour or so ago)... Still, all devices are showing correctly in my Manage my Tivo account on Tivo_com, and all three are showing up whether by correct name or not) in my Tivo Desktop software... This doesn't seem to be a packet issue, and nothing has changed on my side (not firewall, not software, not hardware, not firmware on my router, not settings on my router, Tivo, network devices) at all....
Any ideas?
EDIT:
Last note... I have rebooted every device I have, from Tivo DVRs to my cable modem, to my router and switch (more than once, I might add), and still nothing...
EDIT:
Ok...another note... I contacted Linksys, and the tech said they were not aware of any issues with their devices and Tivo DVRs, and she had me to a total and complete reset of the router (which I did) which was beyond simply rebooting it... This set the router back to factory default settings, and that still made no difference... The DVRs are losing their names, and seem to be unassociated from what the Tivo site has them listed as, so I believe that is the issue, not internal network problems... I just can't seem to get the Tivo techs to see this....