Gateway : increased ping latency depending on the ESXi version from the web interface (not from SSH)

gauthi3r · Dec 14, 2019, 11:06 PM

Hello everyone,

I am currently experiencing a somewhat strange problem that I cannot fully understand.

the context :

ESXi host: Supermicro SYS-E300-8D
Firewall Virtual Appliance: PfSense 2.4.4-P3
Tested with E1000E and VMXNET3 for network interface same issue
Supermicro SYS-E300-8D BIOS and Firmware are up to date
Vmtools Ok

The problem:

I regularly update my ESXi host by following vmware updates. Since I updated 14141615 I have a problem with the latency of my FTTH gateway. The latest version of ESXi with which I have no problem is version 13981272.
Following various tests, I determined that the problem was most likely software and related to the way pfsense displays gateway monitoring.

my normal ping latency is between 6.6 to 7ms.

when i have the problem, my latency ping is very unstable (between 6.6ms to 18ms !)

Here are two screenshots:

The first with last esxi build 151xxxxxx the problem between latency from webui and latency from ssh ping :

https://i.imgur.com/TgUHs9A.png

The second with the esxi build 13981272 with no difference between latency from webui and from ssh ping :

https://i.imgur.com/AIbMguK.jpg

Others things :

My 2 cisco switches are up to date
About the screens my firewall ip is : 172.16.2.1 and DNS is firewall.house.lan
The bug appear only with my Supermicro SYS-E300-8D with build 14141615 minimum.
No matter which build of ESXi is used haven’t the bug with my second ESXi (Dell hardware).

On my Supermicro SYS-E300-8D with ESXi build at least 14141615 :

I have the same bug on fresh installation of PfSense 2.4.4-P3
I have the same bug on fresh beta installation of PfSense 2.5.0 DEV
I have the same bug on fresh installation of OPNSense (fork of PfSense – maybe the both firewall use the same code for gateway monitoring).

I have no other ideas to solve my problem except stay on build 13981272.
With the screen I’m sure isn’t a pure networking problem or network driver problem and maybe a pfsense bug ?

Thanks you for your help !

awebster · Dec 19, 2019, 2:41 PM

Because you say that you don't have the problem on a similar Dell server running the same version of ESXi, it sounds to me like it might be a physical NIC driver problem in the update of ESXi on your Supermicro server.

gauthi3r · Dec 19, 2019, 2:52 PM

Hi awebster,

you're right, i have solved my issue. the origin of my problem is in igbn driver. with the vmlinux driver "igb" all is fine.

you can find all details here : https://communities.vmware.com/message/2905942#2905942

thanks for your reply