Thanks to everyone for the input. I think we have the root cause. After swapping the network cable between router and ONT it appeared to fix it. However when tidying up the cabling i noticed it to drop again. Seems the "internet" port on the nighhawk is a bit flaky / slightly damaged. As you can put a bit of pressure on the cable near the port and it looses the connectivity. At the moment all is working fine and sooner or later i'll treat us to a new router. Thanks again everyone.

Good update. ONTs are usually very reliable beasts. 👍

see if the netgear can swap the wan port

In reply to a post by nazzer:

Seems the "internet" port on the nighhawk is a bit flaky / slightly damaged. As you can put a bit of pressure on the cable near the port and it looses the connectivity. At the moment all is working fine and sooner or later i'll treat us to a new router.

Maybe a bit of BluTack will hold the plug in place and maintain a good connection?

I have got a long ethernet cable that runs through the house under floorboards and in walls etc from the lounge, where the router is located, to the loft, where the main ethernet switch is. The clip snapped off of one of the RJ45 plugs years ago and BluTack has been keeping our home network running since then - it isn't practical to re-run the cable!

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