Time always slow 2.4.5

three

Hey funktified. This is a strange one indeed.

Are you able to boot the maschine from another linux Live-DVD/USB? Just to check behaviour under different OS and to rule out a hardware issue. Have you changed any bios setting? I have no clue though, which one could cause such symtoms :)

Cheers

funktified

I have reset the BIOS and have installed Windows 10 and sync the time with Windows and it syncs without issue. I disconnected the LAN to test and the time is definitely working as expected. When Windows was originally installed before Internet sync, it was slower by 2 minutes and even then the seconds moved inline with normal time.

Just to be sure, I downloaded Ubuntu 20.04 Desktop and run in Live mode from USB and sure enough, time ticks normally despite being 14 hours slow. Sync via Internet to correct time and disconnected and tested for 10 minutes - time is in sync to the second.

It seems to only be in pfSense / FreeBSD no matter which version.

I am also trying to source the latest BIOS for the unit.

three

Phew ... that's weird. The only thing that remains a potential root cause accordign to my feeling indeed is aforementioned timezone settings, maybe a variance in OS and bios and ... running out of ideas too.

funktified

This is really annoying...

I downloaded FreeBSD 12.1 and did a Live mode and time was similar to Ubuntu being 14 hours behind (probably because it was UTC time), but once I set the date and measured every 10 seconds it does the same as before and slows.

Confirming this is only on FreeBSD platform.

three

Which nuc are you using?

funktified

Its a custom Leader SN4-PLUS NUC sourced in Australia and I cannot identify what the board is. This is the second unit and I know with the first unit I did not have any time issues whatsoever. That is, exactly the same hardware bought within a few days of each other (so same batch I would assume).

Sorry, I cannot point you to a page as there is none that I can find, however the specs are:

Intel Celeron N3350
4GB
64GB Storage
Windows 10 Professional
4x Serial RS232
2x RJ45
HDMI, Mini DP

three

Mh. I just watched the video. The only thing I saw was that you were not having a WAN connection. Does it also show these symptoms if you have a connection to internet?

funktified

It doesnt matter whether its connected or not - whether ports re0 or re1 is connected on any platform it will always run slow. I even run pfSense 2.4.5 for a week, I think date only moved 2 hours according to the system!

Correction: it will always run slow on any version of FreeBSD it appears - not any other platforms

three

If I understand you correctly, you got two devices. One of which works flawlessly and one of which shows this strange behaviour. Since NUCs are not too hard to deal with if it comes to swapping ssd, I'd swap the one installed in the bad one to the good one, boot it up and check the goods ones behaviour under the very same circumstances. If it still works OK I'd go back to the reseller and request a replacement.

funktified

Good idea, however have 2 issues with that unfortuantely:

The other NUC is in production
the eMMC I think is Soldered

EItherways, its not easy for me to remove the one in production and I dont have a spare M.2 as it has a spare slot. Maybe Ill try converting this M2 to a SATA and try to install on that.

Be back once installed

BTW @three thanks for your time in bouncing ideas

DaddyGo

That's what I mean:

https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/connectivity/real-time-clocks.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real-time_clock

on the MOBO

funktified

@DaddyGo Sorry - did I miss a comment? RTC seems like the clock module, however how can I utilise that as the NUC is still under warranty and I dont want to change any parts during its warranty?

@three I had configured a SATA drive and installed 2.4.5 and the time is still off unfortunately

provels

@funktified I think you have a hardware issue with the RTC module, bad part. I'd return. That's what your battery feeds when the unit is off and between updates. But if you've already broken the old battery off, I think you're SOL.

DaddyGo

The RTC includes a crystal oscillator (in fact, it is the clock of the synchronous base) that keeps the time, when there is no NTP update.........
Well, it could be faulty on the motherboard.

like this:

https://handsontec.com/index.php/product/32-768khz-quartz-crystal/

There are many forms, you can’t fix it, so submit an RMA request.

funktified

@provels said in Time always slow 2.4.5:

But if you've already broken the old battery off, I think you're SOL.

Yup... I think I definitely have wacked the original OEM battery!

@DaddyGo said in Time always slow 2.4.5:

There are many forms, you can’t fix it, so submit an RMA request.

I will try this approach as to what provels suggested and see if I can get an RMA.

Thank you everyone for the help and will update if there is a solution apart from RMA/paper wight.

Just in case it could be of use in the future, I had created this thread on FreeBSD forum: https://forums.freebsd.org/threads/time-slow-on-minipc.75602/

DaddyGo

You welcome

funktified

Just an update - my awesome Account Manager pushed the RMA through and now works perfectly.

So definitely something with that board that caused the issue.

Thank you again eveyone for your contributions.

three

I am glad it worked out for you. And thanks for coming back and letting us know.

DaddyGo

Frenetic news, THX.

If already, we talk in the forum...
Pls, allow me to draw your attention to something.
I see that a Realtek ethernet controller (2 pcs.) is integrated into the NUC (https://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?re(4))

Realtek is not a good choice for pfSense it has serious drawbacks.
True supported, but there will always be problems with it, if you are looking for a bit on this topic in the forum, it is not specifically recommended. (for example IPS netmap support)

The next time you invest in a SOHO category pfSense box, choose Netgate dedicated devices (it's not advertising, they're really good) or this: PcEngines APU boards, : https://www.pcengines.ch/apu4d4.htm
(my favorite and there are more than 40 of them)

or
https://www.netgate.com/solutions/pfsense/sg-5100.html
Both the APU and Netgate devices have a enthusiastic support group on the forum.

Intel ethernet controllers work flawlessly with NGFW, such as I350 / I340 / I210-AT / I211.
https://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?igb(4)

Also, keep in mind that, Intel has a vulnerability: https://meltdownattack.com/, this is somewhat resolved, but does not affect AMD and ARM CPUs, for example.

Of course, if these are available in your country (AU).

Thanks for reading through my experience and if I can help you with anything, I am at your disposal.

funktified

@DaddyGo Thank you very much for your tips. I agree with regards to getting original Netgate/Intel products and would have preferred the SG-3100, however they were and are currently not readily available in Australia, and if they were, we cant trust our main postal carrier to deliver on time.

We also compromised, that for its purpose as a SOHO that doesnt require mission critical (excluding Chronic HypoNet Syndrome inducing tantrums in (pre)adolescents) access and the current econmic uncertainty, this solution will do until next year when we can upgrade again in addition to its readily available warranty.

Thank you nonetheless and will keep your comments for future reference.