SOLVED Since 11.1 upgrade, networking keeps dropping

[jcpro]

Ever since I did the 11.1 upgrade a few days ago FreeNAS keeps losing its network connection.

In addition to the:

Code:

Dec 17 15:15:06 freenas daemon[3069]:	 2017/12/17 15:15:06 [WARN] agent: Check 'service:nas-health' is now warning

... issue which others have reported (and which yes I understand that it's now fixed in an upcoming update) I now see the following in the logs when the network drops, usually happens at the 5 min mark when I restart FreeNAS:

Code:

Dec 17 15:13:33 freenas kernel: tap0: link state changed to UP
Dec 17 15:13:33 freenas kernel: tap0: link state changed to UP
Dec 17 15:13:33 freenas kernel: tap0: link state changed to DOWN
Dec 17 15:13:33 freenas kernel: tap0: link state changed to DOWN
Dec 17 15:13:33 freenas kernel: tap0: link state changed to UP
Dec 17 15:13:33 freenas kernel: tap0: link state changed to DOWN
Dec 17 15:13:33 freenas kernel: tap0: link state changed to UP

... etc etc.

I also get lots of these events:

Code:

freenas re0: watchdog timeout

What could be the cause of this? The issue is very repeatable and happens *every* time I reboot now.

Here's a photo of the screen:

 

[wblock]

The cause of these is a Realtek network card. The drivers for these do what they can, but Realtek puts out a new version of the chipset every few months. And it was not a particularly good chipset from the start. The recommended solution is to replace that card with an Intel card. If the Realtek is on the motherboard, disable it in the BIOS.

 

[jcpro]

The cause of these is a Realtek network card. The drivers for these do what they can, but Realtek puts out a new version of the chipset every few months. And it was not a particularly good chipset from the start. The recommended solution is to replace that card with an Intel card. If the Realtek is on the motherboard, disable it in the BIOS.

Wow, very interesting, I'll give it a try.

Thanks

 

[Ericloewe]

The drivers for these do what they can, but Realtek puts out a new version of the chipset every few months.

I shudder to imagine how bad the letters that never made it out into the wild are. The RTL8111L and RTL 8111G seem to be the more popular versions, but nobody's been able to explain to me what makes them different. I just assume the the L is five better than the G.

 

[jcpro]

How do you tell what iteration you have? lspci reveals only this:

Code:

RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev 06)

 

[gpsguy]

Look at the motherboard docs or check online to see if the manufacturer lists what it is.

 

[Ericloewe]

Or read the silkscreen on the IC.

 

[stillka]

Hi, I have same problem! First I changed network cables but problem is still there. It looks like problem with realtek driver, my motherboard is ASROCK Q1900-ITX
- PCIE x1 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mb/s
- Realtek RTL8111GR

in FreeNAS:

Code:

03:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev 11)
		Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Motherboard (one of many)
		Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 18
		I/O ports at e000
		Memory at d0704000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable)
		Memory at d0700000 (64-bit, prefetchable)
		Capabilities: [40] Power Management version 3
		Capabilities: [50] MSI: Enable- Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit+
		Capabilities: [70] Express Endpoint, MSI 01
		Capabilities: [b0] MSI-X: Enable+ Count=4 Masked-
		Capabilities: [d0] Vital Product Data

 

[Ericloewe]

Well, get rid of it. The only thing worse than a Realtek GbE NIC is a Realtek 10/100 NIC,

 

[stillka]

Well, get rid of it. The only thing worse than a Realtek GbE NIC is a Realtek 10/100 NIC,

its a Gigabit Ethernet Controller and it was working fine last 2 years with FreeNAS...

 

[gpsguy]

Buy an Intel Pro/1000 CT for about $30 USD. Problem solved.

The developers will tell you the same. Here's a bug ticket filed by someone with the same motherboard you have: https://redmine.ixsystems.com/issues/10456

 

[Ericloewe]

its a Gigabit Ethernet Controller and it was working fine last 2 years with FreeNAS...

It's not like I haven't been told that countless times. Repetition does not make it true that Realtek is in any way reliable or even acceptable for serious use.

 

[stillka]

I have ordered as workaround used Intel EXPI9400PTBLK Pro/1000 PT Server Adapter for 12Eur...

update: after installing the card, I have consistent 100 - 112MB/s copy performance (copying big 32GB file from hdd to NAS box)

so Intel rulezz :)