How to remove a network interface (that can't be disabled from BIOS)

[Ciprian]

Hi.

I'm sorry if this is a noob question but I don't know how to completely disable a network interface from Truenas (FreeBSD).

I am running a Ryzen 1200 with B450 MB and I just can't disable the Realtek NIC from BIOS (this option doesn't exist in BIOS). For networking needs, I use an Intel NIC in a PCI slot so I don't need the onboard NIC.

The reason I'm asking this is the fact that my Truenas freezes (completely unresponsive) on a daily basis (no data in the logs, etc) and I'm trying to test different settings and see if I can find the culprit. One of these settings is disabling the NIC interface completely.

I had a TrueNas on an X370 MB with Ryzen 7 3700x and it worked fine. But, on that NAS I was able to disable the onboard NIC....

As a summarized question: what do I need to do for the onboard NIC interface not to load with Truenas.

Thanks.

 

[Samuel Tai]

If your Realtek NIC uses the re driver, try creating a loader tunable if_re_load=NO in System->Tunables, and then rebooting.

 

[Ciprian]

Thanks.

I did try but it doesn't work.

I added the tunable if_re_load (variable) NO (for value) and type LOADER.

Rebooted and the interface (yes, it is re0) is still showing up in the Dashboard.

 

[Samuel Tai]

OK, then try creating an Init/Shutdown Task that runs at startup with the command ifconfig destroy re0.

 

[Ciprian]

Still doesn't work :(

I also tried to run the command from Shell as root.

When I do
ifconfig destroy re0
result is:
ifconfig: interface destroy does not exist

So I tried:
ifconfig re0 destroy
the result is:
ifconfig: ioctl (SIOCDIFADDR): can't assign requested address

 

[Samuel Tai]

Running out of ideas here: what about kldunload if_re?

 

[Ciprian]

Nope :)
The result is:

can't find file if_re

PS: is it important if the re0 interface status is Down? As it is enabled but it's not connected to anything.

 

[Newfoundland.Republic]

I don't think it matters. I have an interface that I do not use (it is connected but no IPs/bridges/VLANs are attached) and I do not see any issues.

 

[Patrick M. Hausen]

Running out of ideas here: what about kldunload if_re?

As I just wrote in another thread: iXsystems like to compile the drivers statically.

 

[schwarci]

On Supermicro motherboards you have jumper to disable interface. Check if you have jumper on your motherboard for disabling interface too.

 

[Patrick M. Hausen]

Try a tunable:

Type: loader
Variable: hint.re.0.disabled
Value: 1

 

[Megalodon]

Try a tunable:

Type: loader
Variable: hint.re.0.disabled
Value: 1

Not the OP but this worked for me.