Realtek device driver update

sdf_iain

@stephenw10
My mistake that kernel module SAYS it's the 1.96_04 version from RealTek

I linked the wrong source, here's the link to the module in ports:
https://svnweb.freebsd.org/ports/head/net/realtek-re-kmod/

I have to admit that I do not know how that patch file is applied.

EDIT:
A quick dig into the Makefiles seems to imply that the driver is downloaded (from a FreeBSD Cache), then updated using the patch file, and finally built.

stephenw10

Are you testing that in 2.5 I assume?

sdf_iain

@stephenw10
2.4.5-RELEASE-p1, the RealTek RealTek driver is generally required for stability.

stephenw10

Hmm, interesting that pkg only appeared to exist in head.....

sdf_iain

@stephenw10
Its a very new package. If pfSense was configured to track quarterly instead latest in /etc/pkg/FreeBSD.conf, then the package wouldn't be visible.

It is possible that it will show up in the branch 2020Q4, when that gets created.

stephenw10

Yeah that would be it. Nice.

The package should still be install-able via 'pkg add' directly if you have the location. Which is generally better that changing the repo.

Steve

sdf_iain

Running a single command replaces steps 1 through 3 that I listed above:
pkg add https://pkg.FreeBSD.org/FreeBSD:11:amd64/latest/All/realtek-re-kmod-v196.04_2.txz

Jiffyjeeff

Do you guys know how to turn off Flow Control in this driver for re0 ?

stephenw10

It's a media option so you select it from the connection drop down but it normally does not connect with flowcontrol:

re1: flags=8843<UP,BROADCAST,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> metric 0 mtu 1500
	description: WAN
	options=82098<VLAN_MTU,VLAN_HWTAGGING,VLAN_HWCSUM,WOL_MAGIC,LINKSTATE>
	capabilities=18399b<RXCSUM,TXCSUM,VLAN_MTU,VLAN_HWTAGGING,VLAN_HWCSUM,TSO4,WOL_UCAST,WOL_MCAST,WOL_MAGIC,LINKSTATE,NETMAP>
	ether 00:0d:b9:37:30:11
	inet6 fe80::20d:b9ff:fe37:3011%re1 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x2
	inet 172.21.16.35 netmask 0xffffff00 broadcast 172.21.16.255
	media: Ethernet autoselect (1000baseT <full-duplex>)
	status: active
	supported media:
		media autoselect mediaopt flowcontrol
		media autoselect
		media 1000baseT mediaopt full-duplex,flowcontrol,master
		media 1000baseT mediaopt full-duplex,flowcontrol
		media 1000baseT mediaopt full-duplex,master
		media 1000baseT mediaopt full-duplex
		media 1000baseT mediaopt master
		media 1000baseT
		media 100baseTX mediaopt full-duplex,flowcontrol
		media 100baseTX mediaopt full-duplex
		media 100baseTX
		media 10baseT/UTP mediaopt full-duplex,flowcontrol
		media 10baseT/UTP mediaopt full-duplex
		media 10baseT/UTP
		media none
	nd6 options=21<PERFORMNUD,AUTO_LINKLOCAL>

Steve

Jiffyjeeff

Ok thanks.

Looks like it's off by default?

stephenw10

Yes, looks that way. It's certainly off on everything I can check.
You would have to select 'autoselect flowcontrol' in the interface speed/duplex setting to enable it.

Steve

Jiffyjeeff

@stephenw10 said in Realtek device driver update:

'autoselect flowcontrol'

'autoselect flowcontrol' doesn't even show up on the drop list. It's currently set to "media 1000baseT full-duplex"

I'm getting great performance with this driver!

sdf_iain

@Jiffyjeeff Can you quantify "great performance"?

I get 600-700 mbps (which is good enough for me).

Jiffyjeeff

@sdf_iain

I have this realtek 2.5gbps nic based on the 8125 chip connected to my cable modem's 1gbps wan port. using a short 2ft Cat 8 cable I get 900 to 940 i'm on 1gb plan. Waiting to get one of the new cable modems with the 2.5gbps port. My latency is low between 15-16ms on speed test.

jshoe

This post is deleted!

Jiffyjeeff

@jiffyjeeff

I resolved my issue by using a different switch that was 2.5gbps capable.

jshoe

@jiffyjeeff That's not possible for me right now. I updated the drivers using the method above and will wait to see what happens. Is the method above the correct way to update the drivers? Why is the repository blocked by default? In other instructions I've read they skip the editing the two files commenting out the code. Another post I read someone ran a single command and it supposedly updated the driver. I will put up the links when I get a chance.

Jiffyjeeff

@jshoe I believe the driver should be apart of the freebsd version pfsens 2.5.2 is built on? Is the realtek driver not loading? have you checked dmesg in the command prompt?

jshoe

@jiffyjeeff I have the newest version and a version number wasn't listed until after I used the method above. I read many people have this issue with the builtin driver. Do you know any of the answers to what I asked by chance?

stephenw10

In 2.5.2 just do this: https://forum.netgate.com/post/962889

Steve