[BC] LAN weirdness

[Tom Taggart]

Very simple network--
16 port low-end Cisco switch--six computers connected to it, as well  
as small router & cable modem for internet.

The switch "locked up"--no activity indicated on the LED's on the  
front panel, network down.  Unfortunately, the way the automation is  
set-up, the on-air and voice-track machine need to talk to each other  
or the whole system freezes up.

Unplugging the switch brought it back to life, but the strange thing  
is this is not the first time this happened--but with an entirely  
different switch!

The first switch we had in this network was a "no-name" 24 port unit.   
Literally no-name--there is no logo or other id on the box--the PD got  
it from an advertiser as a great deal.  When it started doing this  
"freeze" number I bought the low-end Cisco switch.

Switch, router, and cable modem all on UPS.

Looking for solutions that don't require eye of newt, and toe of frog.  
Howlet's wings are available locally, though...