SOLVED Web GUI - Works for On-Board NIC - Does not Render for PCI-X NIC

[Vincent Saelzler]

The web GUI works for the gigabit onboard NIC, but doesn't fully render when using the 100Mbit expansion card. There are three interfaces

Not Working:

• Intel Pro 100 S Dual Port: fxp0, fxp1

Working:

• Broadcom BCM5761: bge0

I have seen other threads around the rendering issue, but they all seem to focus on browser-based issues. I have tried on Firefox, Chrome, Edge, IE, and even on a separate Mac with Safari. I don't think it is browser based, because I see the same half rendered GUI on the fxp0/1 interfaces 100% of the time, and the working GUI on the bge0 interface 100% of the time.

fxp0 and fxp1

bge0

Troubleshooting steps taken:

• Did lots of random attempts on my existing v9 installation.
• Installed FreeNAS 11.1-U4 on a new USB stick.

On the 11.1 Installation:

Code:

1: Configure Network Interfaces
Reset? N
Delete? Y
[Repeat for All Interfaces]

Adjust DHCP server (separate pfSense computer) to use MAC of interface I want to test with.

Code:

1: Configure Network Interfaces
[Enable only one interface at a time with DHCP]
Reset? N
Configure for DHCP? Y
Name: "Management"
IPv6? N

 

[kdragon75]

Make sure FreeNAS is only using one interface (setup and listed in the UI) for web UI and the IP binding is correct. Clear/reset your browsers. Reboot PC. Use the IP address not hostname. If that works verify your DNS settings. If you have two FreeNAS boxes with different IPs and different TLDs but the same host name, this can cause issues too.

Trust us, it's not the card or the driver.

 

[Vincent Saelzler]

Make sure FreeNAS is only using one interface. . . Use the IP address not hostname. . . Trust us, it's not the card or the driver.

kdragon thanks for the suggestions on this. I am still facing the issue. With some of your suggestions in mind, I created a test setup that does everything I could possibly think of to isolate the problem. I am with you, and I have an extremely hard time believing it's the card or the driver. However, I am not sure what else to consider!

Prep for Test

• FreeNAS Dell: Removed All Network Cables from Switch End
• FreeNAS Dell: Kept all cables plugged in on FreeNAS Dell end
• FreeNAS Dell: Power off, remove existing USB OS Drive
• FreeNAS Dell: Unplug all SATA cables to non-OS data drives
  
• FreeNAS Dell: Do fresh install of 11.1 to Spare USB Drive
• FreeNAS Dell: Do not Reload Config File from old installation
• Ubuntu Laptop: Download Ubuntu Live USB 16.04.4 (64 bit, desktop)
• Ubuntu Laptop: Copy the ISO to USB Flash Drive

Repeat All Steps in Testing Process for Each Interface:

• Ubuntu Laptop: Power Off
• Both: Disconnect ethernet cable on laptop end [if any is connected]
• FreeNAS Dell: Delete currently configured interface [if any is configured]
• FreeNAS Dell: Configure fxp0 to use Static IP 192.168.40.5/24
• FreeNAS Dell: Reboot
• Ubuntu Laptop: Boot from live USB
• Ubuntu Laptop: Configure static IP of Ethernet NIC as 192.168.40.2/24
• Both: Connect Ethernet cable directly between FreeNAS Dell fxp0 and Ubuntu Laptop
• Ubuntu Laptop: Navigate to 192.168.40.5 (Firefox 58)

Used these IPs (Arbitrary - just FYI)

• fxp0 - 192.168.40.5/24
• fxp1 - 192.168.41.5/24
• bge0 - 192.168.50.5/24
• Ubuntu Laptop: Depending on NIC being tested; 192.168.x.2/24

I still get the same results. The fxp interfaces don't render fully, the bge0 one does. Repeatable 100% of the time.

 

[kdragon75]

I know this may sound nutty and unnecessary but try disabling the onboard LAN on the Dell via the BIOS. just a hunch.

 

[wblock]

fxp cards are really old. It's possible the driver has not been maintained, but I don't know. Not sure whether PCI-X or some BIOS settings dealing with it might affect them.

Also, is "vnet" just a name, or is some virtualization or VLAN stuff being used?

 

[Vincent Saelzler]

The BIOS suggestions were worth a shot! However, I am still getting the exact same result. I disabled the onboard NIC and played around with any settings that seemed remotely related, especially PCI-X.

fxp cards are really old. It's possible the driver has not been maintained, but I don't know.

Do you know of any well-supported 100MB/s Ethernet cards? The main reason I am interested in any of this is to test the iSCSI performance of 1G vs 100M. The (Dell T7500) computer has PCI, PCI-X, and PCIe slots.

is "vnet" just a name, or is some virtualization or VLAN stuff being used?

That's the name of my local domain. No virtualization or VLANs.

 

[sretalla]

Do you know of any well-supported 100MB/s Ethernet cards? The main reason I am interested in any of this is to test the iSCSI performance of 1G vs 100M. The (Dell T7500) computer has PCI, PCI-X, and PCIe slots.

I don't think you're going to be happy with iSCSI performance over 100 Mbit unless you aren't really using the server.

Are you sure that you have the UI configured to listen on the IP addresses assigned to your PCI-X cards?

The UI can be bound to an IP, so setting it to an IP assigned to one of your cards might prove that it's not a driver issue.

I presume you were trying it with 0.0.0.0 as the address so far.

You can find it under System | General | WebGUI IPv4 Address:

 

[wblock]

Do you know of any well-supported 100MB/s Ethernet cards? The main reason I am interested in any of this is to test the iSCSI performance of 1G vs 100M. The (Dell T7500) computer has PCI, PCI-X, and PCIe slots.

The 1G card could be set to 100baseTX media, although I'm not sure if that will truly limit the rates to 100M. Tried that with one here, and it now says media: Ethernet 100baseTX (1000baseT <full-duplex>). Connecting it to a 100M switch or hub would certainly do it, though.

 

[Vincent Saelzler]

Good call! I will just pick up a super cheap 100M switch. [edit: super cheap now in 2018! I am sure I can get a best-in-class of the day switch for practically nothing :)]

 

[Vincent Saelzler]

If bumping a solved thread isn't allowed, I apologize and let me know.

Just wanted to let those of you who helped out with suggestions know that I randomly and unexpectedly got the 100Mbit card working!

If I plug the card into the PCI slot (instead of the PCI-X slot) the web GUI renders correctly.