Problems with em interfaces on FreeBSD 6.1

[Daniel Ryslink]

Hello,

We have started to use the em driver only recently, after the upgrade to 
gigabit connectivity (100 MBit NICs from Intel used the fxp driver).

As for the frequency of the incidents, here is a grep of the messages:

~~~~~~~~~~~~ <slash> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aug  4 22:35:23 b2 kernel: em0: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug  5 00:09:20 b2 kernel: em1: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug  5 06:08:59 b2 kernel: em1: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug  6 12:38:16 b2 kernel: em1: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug  6 20:39:47 b2 kernel: em0: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug  7 18:37:29 b2 kernel: em1: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug  8 07:27:48 b2 kernel: em0: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug  8 09:38:17 b2 kernel: em0: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug  8 12:54:54 b2 kernel: em1: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug  8 22:41:17 b2 kernel: em1: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug  9 05:17:24 b2 kernel: em1: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug  9 10:56:10 b2 kernel: em1: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug  9 20:10:06 b2 kernel: em1: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug 11 08:41:44 b2 kernel: em0: watchdog timeout -- resetting
Aug 11 10:35:43 b2 kernel: em0: watchdog timeout -- resetting
~~~~~~~~~~~~ <slash> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The driver used is version 3.2.18 (I wanted to use the Intel 6.1.4 as a 
module, but I have found out that I made a mistake and accidentally loaded 
the old 3.2.18 driver).

I have dilemma now - which new driver to try? The 6.0.5 submitted to the 
current FreeBSD 6.1 branch (modified by you, I believe, on 8th August), or 
the newest driver from Intel 6.1.4? Do you think one of these drivers 
could solve my problems?

I would be very thankful for any advice.

Thank you

Best Regards
Daniel Ryslink

On Fri, 11 Aug 2006, Gleb Smirnoff wrote:

>  Daniel,
>
> On Fri, Aug 11, 2006 at 10:06:00AM +0200, Daniel Ryslink wrote:
> D> We have currently upgraded one of our routers to Gigabit connectivity and
> D> FreeBSD 6.1 Release.
> D>
> D> The hardware is Supermicro SuperServer 5015M-T  - we have tried both the
> D> integrated NIC and yet another external Intel NIC - specifically
> D>
> D> Intel PRO/1000 MT Dual Port Server Adapter
> D> PWLA8492MT
> D>
> D> The problem is that several times a day, the following appears in
> D> messages:
> D>
> D> Aug 11 08:41:44 b2 kernel: em0: watchdog timeout -- resetting
> D>
> D> accompanied with a loss of connectivity lasting for several seconds.
> D>
> D> We have tried using both the default driver that came with the FreeBSD
> D> installation as well as the newest driver from Intel dated 2th April 2006
> D> compiled as a module, but the problem still persists.
> D>
> D> If anyone encountered the problem and has a solution, I would be very
> D> grateful.
>
> Sometime ago this message was not printed, but the reset was processed
> and the loss of connectivity was also present. So, probably you hadn't
> noticed this problem before.
>
> How many times per day is this message printed?
>
> -- 
> Totus tuus, Glebius.
> GLEBIUS-RIPN GLEB-RIPE
>