Speed and Duplex vs Switch Link Light

newUser2pfSense

I'm presently running pfSense 2.6.0-RELEASE (amd64). I noticed in the Dashboard GUI under Interfaces that my wireless LAN is running at 1000baseT <full-duplex>, however, the gigabit link light on the switch is not lit. I tried switching ports but came up with the same issue - still no gigabit link light. My wireless LAN does pass traffic though but I don't think at gigabit speeds. Any ideas why this might be occurring? Thank you.

rcoleman-netgate

@newuser2pfsense Have you tried forcing the port to Gigabit and seeing what happens? You can do that through the Interface Edit page.

Obviously do it not from your WLAN network in case you get disconnected

newUser2pfSense

No difference. The gigabit link light is still not lit.

rcoleman-netgate

@newuser2pfsense Have you tried plugging the port on your pf into another switch? Is your switch a smart switch?

newUser2pfSense

I changed the WLAN setting back to Default (no preference, typically autoselect).

I had changed out a Cisco branded (probably not Cisco) unmanaged switch for a Netgear PoE+ GS116PP-100NAS unmanaged switch; I needed the PoE+. As a test, I plugged the WLAN ethernet cable into the old Cisco branded unmanaged switch and got the gigabit link light. Interesting.

I wonder why the Netgear PoE+ GS116PP-100NAS unmanaged switch isn't showing the gigabit link light with the WLAN connection when I have other devices connected to the same switch with green gigabit link lights on? Odd.

rcoleman-netgate

@newuser2pfsense Not all network interface devices play well with all switches, and v/v.

Sounds like you have one of those devices that isn't playing Full Duplex, Gigabit with switches.

What does your GS116PP state the port is connecting at? Speed and duplex?

newUser2pfSense

Unfortunately, since it's an unmanaged switch, I don't believe there is a method to connect to it to see what it's speed and duplex is, unless someone knows of a way.

Interestingly though, I have other devices connected to this switch that shows the gigabit link light on.

rcoleman-netgate

@newuser2pfsense GS116PP-100NAS is unmanaged? weird. My GS110P's are not.

SteveITS

@newuser2pfsense Did you try a different port or change out patch cables?

newUser2pfSense

@SteveITS
I tried several of the other ports on the Netgear GS116PP-100NAS PoE+ switch with the same results. I didn't try all of the ports though.

When I tested the ethernet cable by connecting it to the old switch, the Cisco branded switch, I got the gig link light.

JKnott

@newuser2pfsense

Make sure the cable in OK. A defective cable can work at 100 Mb, but prevent proper negotiation.

rcoleman-netgate

@jknott Not just that - I have 20-year old CAT5 plenum that will only connection 10mbps or 100mbps no matter the length. Works fine for IoT stuff.

SteveITS

@rcoleman-netgate I’ve seen cat 5 (not 5e) with gigabit NICs at both ends result in both devices thinking they connected at gigabit but actually have too many errors to function well. If one is lucky they drop down to 100 but not always.

So @newUser2pfSense I’d try another cable if you have one.

JKnott

@rcoleman-netgate

Nothing wrong with CAT5 at Gb. If you can only get 100 Mb then you're likely only using 2 pair and Gb needs all 4.

BTW, my cabling in my condo is plain CAT5. I had my cable company pull it in when they installed my cable modem, including running coax from one end of my unit to the other. They did a very nice job running it inside walls, along air ducts etc..

Gb Ethernet was designed for plain CAT5 and predates 5e.

JKnott

@steveits

If you're getting errors on plain CAT5, you have other issues. Gb was designed to work with plain CAT5. The only difference between CAT5 and 5e is the tolerances were tightened. Beyond that, the specs are the same. As mention in my other note, I have CAT5 here, as that was all that was available in the late 90s when it was installed.

One thing a lot of people don't realize is that Ethernet cable requires proper installation. You can't have tight bends or use plain wire staples to hold it down. That will deform the cable and cause an impedance bump in the cable. If you must use staples, use the plastic ones that spreads the pressure.

rcoleman-netgate

@jknott The cable comes from the early days of 802.3ab so I am absolutely certain it wasn't built to that spec. And, again, it's over 20 years old. I forgot I had it until a few years ago.

JKnott

@rcoleman-netgate

Gb Ethernet was designed to work over the then existing CAT5 cable. The cable was not created just for Ethernet. Same thing with 10baseT. It was originally StarLAN, which was designed to run over the commonly available CAT3 cable that was used to connect telephones.

Here's a quote from the Wikipedia article:
"IEEE 802.3ab, ratified in 1999, defines Gigabit Ethernet transmission over unshielded twisted pair (UTP) category 5, 5e or 6 cabling, and became known as 1000BASE-T. With the ratification of 802.3ab, Gigabit Ethernet became a desktop technology as organizations could use their existing copper cabling infrastructure."

CAT5e superceded CAT5 in 2001, which is 2 years after 802.3ab.

BTW, I used to work in planning for a major telecom and ordered a LOT of cable of various types and I had to pay attention to the details.

newUser2pfSense

I just tried a different cable and no joy; the same issue.

I have another assigned interface on my pfSense box that's connected to a different unmanaged Netgear (no PoE) switch that does have the gig link light on. For s***s and giggles, I plugged this interface cable into the Netgear GS116PP-100NAS PoE+ switch and got the same thing, no gig link light.

I have a 4-port SuperMicro gigabit NIC in my pfSense box. I wonder if it's a negotiation issue between the SuperMicro NIC and the Netgear GS116PP-100NAS PoE+ switch?

JKnott

@newuser2pfsense

If that NIC is the common element, then yes it could be the problem. What happens if you just connect another computer in place of the pfsense box?

JKnott

@newuser2pfsense

One other thing, take a look at the gold wires in the Ethernet connector. Sometimes they are bent or knocked out of position. Either could cause a drop to 100 Mb, if all 4 pairs are not usable.