realtek-re-kmod missing in pfSense 2.6 repository?

[stephenw10]

It was in our package repo for a while but we had to remove it when it started failing to build in our build system.

If you're installing pkgs from FreeBSD it's better to 'pkg add' individual pkgs to avoid pulling in dependencies that break pfSense.

Steve

[virusbcn]

@stephenw10

Thank you Stephen, i'm sorry but I don't know if I understood correctly, I'm not a freebsd expert, so to apply the Realtek drivers that work fine and don't cause the network loss problem, what do we have to do?

[stephenw10]

This:

@w0w said in realtek-re-kmod missing in pfSense 2.6 repository?:

SSH or use Command Prompt in gui

fetch -v https://pkg.freebsd.org/FreeBSD:12:amd64/latest/All/realtek-re-kmod-196.04.txz
pkg install -f -y realtek-re-kmod-196.04.txz

[RK0]

@virusbcn

...and...

don't forget to modify the boot/loader.conf.local file

I consolidated all the steps listed by @w0w and others in this very thread on Feb 18th 2022. Just go back to the top of the thread here, find the one dated Feb 18th, and just follow those series of steps.

[Jakub 0]

@w0w Thanks a million this saved me a lot of work.

[sokeada]

@virusbcn bro, may I know whether your Interface Statistic got any Error Out? I've followed yours and it seems working fine but I got WAN and other VLANs Interface Error Out except LAN interface no any error.

[w0w]

@sokeada
What hardware you have?
If you are going to Diagnostics / Command Prompt
and enter kldstat and press execute, what is output you have, does it show if_re.ko?
Also, I have some tunes enabled in loader.conf

hw.re.msi_disable=1
hw.re.msix_disable=1
hw.re.eee_enable=0
hw.re.phy_power_saving=0
hw.re.phy_mdix_mode=0

[sokeada]

@w0w said in realtek-re-kmod missing in pfSense 2.6 repository?:

@sokeada
What hardware you have?
If you are going to Diagnostics / Command Prompt
and enter kldstat and press execute, what is output you have, does it show if_re.ko?
Also, I have some tunes enabled in loader.conf

hw.re.msi_disable=1
hw.re.msix_disable=1
hw.re.eee_enable=0
hw.re.phy_power_saving=0
hw.re.phy_mdix_mode=0

bro, I've RealTek NIC, yes it shown if_re.ko when check using kldstat. Bro, may I have some detail for your tunes enabled? I really don't know what for.

below is my issue and error out only increase during working hours that have more traffic, at night time with server stuff running plus my team workstation running with low traffic, no errow out increase.
Note: my pfSen box only have one NIC, WAN, AIOT, GUEST and PDA are using different VLAN ID and LAN is the parent interface with native VLAN
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[RK0]

@sokeada I just posted in https://forum.netgate.com/topic/169896/updated-realtek-nic-drivers-missing-in-pfsense-2-6-0/52 parallelling this thread...

I think it is a mistake to have just one NIC handling both WAN and LAN traffic and all VLANs. You would be much better served adding a PFSense supported NIC, and having all WAN traffic flow through that...and then all LAN/VLAN traffic flow through the second physical NIC, properly set up.

[sokeada]

@rk0 said in realtek-re-kmod missing in pfSense 2.6 repository?:

@sokeada I just posted in https://forum.netgate.com/topic/169896/updated-realtek-nic-drivers-missing-in-pfsense-2-6-0/52 parallelling this thread...

I think it is a mistake to have just one NIC handling both WAN and LAN traffic and all VLANs. You would be much better served adding a PFSense supported NIC, and having all WAN traffic flow through that...and then all LAN/VLAN traffic flow through the second physical NIC, properly set up.

thanks bro, sad that my system has no slot to add ;(

[virusbcn]

@sokeada said in realtek-re-kmod missing in pfSense 2.6 repository?:

@virusbcn bro, may I know whether your Interface Statistic got any Error Out? I've followed yours and it seems working fine but I got WAN and other VLANs Interface Error Out except LAN interface no any error.

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Two Realtek NICs, one vlan only in LAN

[RK0]

@sokeada Depending on the internet speed you are paying for, I'd "risk" using the unthinkable....a USB ethernet adapter that PFSense has drivers for (gasp!) as the WAN link.

If your ISP paid for throughput is pretty slow, you could get away with this. A google search will help you find a USB adapter with driver support for PFSense

But if not...like if you are paying for 1GB or something close...well...I'd use a different computer where you could add at least two physical NICs off the PCIe bus. If you intend to bump up your speed in the future, I'd just go for a new machine anyway.

[sokeada]

@virusbcn said in realtek-re-kmod missing in pfSense 2.6 repository?:

@sokeada said in realtek-re-kmod missing in pfSense 2.6 repository?:

@virusbcn bro, may I know whether your Interface Statistic got any Error Out? I've followed yours and it seems working fine but I got WAN and other VLANs Interface Error Out except LAN interface no any error.

login-to-view

Two Realtek NICs, one vlan only in LAN

thanks for the info, bro.

[sokeada]

@rk0 said in realtek-re-kmod missing in pfSense 2.6 repository?:

@sokeada Depending on the internet speed you are paying for, I'd "risk" using the unthinkable....a USB ethernet adapter that PFSense has drivers for (gasp!) as the WAN link.

If your ISP paid for throughput is pretty slow, you could get away with this. A google search will help you find a USB adapter with driver support for PFSense

But if not...like if you are paying for 1GB or something close...well...I'd use a different computer where you could add at least two physical NICs off the PCIe bus. If you intend to bump up your speed in the future, I'd just go for a new machine anyway.

thanks for the tips, bro. I will consider that. :)

[w0w]

@sokeada
So it's some oem box or custom build? What hardware do you have, again? You said you have no slot, but you did not tell, does current card is in slot, or it is embedded? There are many realtek cards with two ports exists...

[sokeada]

@w0w said in realtek-re-kmod missing in pfSense 2.6 repository?:

@sokeada
So it's some oem box or custom build? What hardware do you have, again? You said you have no slot, but you did not tell, does current card is in slot, or it is embedded? There are many realtek cards with two ports exists...

I'm using Dell OptiPlex 3040 Micro which is come with build in and only one network port by RealTek.

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[virusbcn]

@sokeada

I have a mini HP 800, with ESX and pfsense virtual, the second nic is a realtek 2.5Gb USB and works perfect with esx and special driver, i have 1/1Gb fiber and works perfect

[sokeada]

@virusbcn said in realtek-re-kmod missing in pfSense 2.6 repository?:

@sokeada

I have a mini HP 800, with ESX and pfsense virtual, the second nic is a realtek 2.5Gb USB and works perfect with esx and special driver, i have 1/1Gb fiber and works perfect

nice, I might looking for an extra USB Ethernet one too. Thanks for the tip, bro.

[RK0]

@sokeada I wonder if an M2 to ethernet adapter would work in your Dell OptiPlex 3040 Micro. It would take a bit of work...and you may have to do something clever with the SATA connector for storage and a rotating drive to make some space...but check out stuff like this, and the alternatives listed below. One review for this item says it worked with PfSense. Note, I have not personally attempted to make this work. Let the community know if you get it to function. Watch out for the different types of M2 slots...there are several variants. https://www.amazon.com/Ableconn-M2-NW-107-Gigabit-Ethernet-Module/dp/B07599LZ5S

The other risky endevor (that I also have NOT personally tried) would be to use something like this https://www.amazon.com/WAVLINK-Converter-Compatible-Microsoft-More-Black/dp/B09LYQQ6PD. You would have to check to see if PFSense supports the RTL8156B chipset. One thing notable about this particular adapter (IF it has driver support, unknown) is the vent holes...I've read overheating USB ethernet adapters can cause some unreliable operation. Again, if you try this, let the community know in a detailed post if it worked.

[sokeada]

@rk0 said in realtek-re-kmod missing in pfSense 2.6 repository?:

@sokeada I wonder if an M2 to ethernet adapter would work in your Dell OptiPlex 3040 Micro. It would take a bit of work...and you may have to do something clever with the SATA connector for storage and a rotating drive to make some space...but check out stuff like this, and the alternatives listed below. One review for this item says it worked with PfSense. Note, I have not personally attempted to make this work. Let the community know if you get it to function. Watch out for the different types of M2 slots...there are several variants. https://www.amazon.com/Ableconn-M2-NW-107-Gigabit-Ethernet-Module/dp/B07599LZ5S

The other risky endevor (that I also have NOT personally tried) would be to use something like this https://www.amazon.com/WAVLINK-Converter-Compatible-Microsoft-More-Black/dp/B09LYQQ6PD. You would have to check to see if PFSense supports the RTL8156B chipset. One thing notable about this particular adapter (IF it has driver support, unknown) is the vent holes...I've read overheating USB ethernet adapters can cause some unreliable operation. Again, if you try this, let the community know in a detailed post if it worked.

thanks for the tips, bro. 3040 Micro series doesn't have M2 slots, 70+ series does. USB Ethernet is not recommends by Netgate. Anyways, I really appreciate your time and support. Because of I don't have any complaint about connection dropped from users so let it be then. :)