Network problem with the r8169 driver and RTL8111/8168B

[FR. Loïc]

== SRU Justification ==
Some users are experiencing connectivity issues with the r8169 driver in v3.0. Apparently the r8169 driver in v3.1 is more reliable.

== Impact ==
Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller

== Fix ==
Provide the v3.1 r8169 driver via linux-backports-modules
------------

Hi,

I have a newer motherboard (GA-990XA-UD3), the network chips is
1 x Realtek RTL8111E chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)

lspci:
03:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller (rev 06)

The problem is that ubuntu 11.10 beta uses the driver r8169 and the network does not work :
lsmod
Module Size Used by
bnep 18436 2
rfcomm 47946 0
bluetooth 166112 10 bnep,rfcomm
parport_pc 36962 0
ppdev 17113 0
lp 17799 0
dm_crypt 23199 0
parport 46562 3 parport_pc,ppdev,lp
snd_hda_codec_hdmi 32040 1
snd_hda_codec_realtek 330769 1
snd_hda_intel 33390 2
snd_hda_codec 104802 3 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hda_intel
snd_hwdep 13668 1 snd_hda_codec
snd_pcm 96755 3 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec
snd_seq_midi 13324 0
snd_rawmidi 30547 1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq_midi_event 14899 1 snd_seq_midi
sp5100_tco 13791 0
snd_seq 61896 2 snd_seq_midi,snd_seq_midi_event
k10temp 13166 0
i2c_piix4 13301 0
snd_timer 29991 2 snd_pcm,snd_seq
snd_seq_device 14540 3 snd_seq_midi,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq
snd 68266 14 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hwdep,snd_pcm,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq,snd_timer,snd_seq_device
serio_raw 13166 0
edac_core 53746 0
edac_mce_amd 23709 0
soundcore 12680 1 snd
snd_page_alloc 18529 2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm
binfmt_misc 17540 1
squashfs 36799 1
overlayfs 28267 1
nls_utf8 12557 1
isofs 40253 1
dm_raid45 78155 0
xor 12894 1 dm_raid45
dm_mirror 22203 0
dm_region_hash 20918 1 dm_mirror
dm_log 18564 3 dm_raid45,dm_mirror,dm_region_hash
btrfs 648895 0
zlib_deflate 27139 1 btrfs
libcrc32c 12644 1 btrfs
radeon 1015926 3
firewire_ohci 40722 0
ttm 76805 1 radeon
firewire_core 63626 1 firewire_ohci
drm_kms_helper 42558 1 radeon
usbhid 47198 0
hid 95463 1 usbhid
mxm_wmi 12979 0
crc_itu_t 12707 1 firewire_core
drm 236330 5 radeon,ttm,drm_kms_helper
i2c_algo_bit 13423 1 radeon
wmi 19256 1 mxm_wmi
r8169 52788 0
xhci_hcd 78641 0
ahci 26002 2
libahci 26861 1 ahci

The solution is to use the driver r8168 :
https://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=27000

Since I use the r8168 driver the network works very well.

Thank you for correcting the problem.

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This bug is missing log files that will aid in diagnosing the problem. From a terminal window please run:

apport-collect 839393

and then change the status of the bug to 'Confirmed'.

If, due to the nature of the issue you have encountered, you are unable to run this command, please add a comment stating that fact and change the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.

[FR. Loïc (hackurx)]

impossible to use "apport-collect" in live-cd session because I don't have the network.

[Leann Ogasawara (leannogasawara)]

Hi,

Can you attach your dmesg ourput as well as the output of running "sudo lspci -vnvn". Thanks.

[FR. Loïc (hackurx)]

Ok Here

[Ralph (ralph-puncher-deactivatedaccount)]

I have the identical ethernet controller but it does work; however it takes up to 3 minutes to connect to the NIC once the desktop has been established in either Unity or KDE(Kubuntu). Both of my test systems are at the 11.10 beta 1 level with all updates applied to 2011-09-14. MB is ASUS M4A89GTD Pro with AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1090T processor.

[FR. Loïc (hackurx)]

look at this:
http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=627704

[FR. Loïc (hackurx)]

I just test the beta2, the network works well.
The driver used is the r8169.
It's been resolved?

[Leann Ogasawara (leannogasawara)]

Issue appears to be resolved per comment #10. Closing Fix Released for now.

[Matt Biddle (eightbitalpha)]

This bug is still present in a up-to-date fresh install of beta 2 for me.

[FR. Loïc (hackurx)]

Please send your result "/sbin/modinfo r8168" or "/sbin/modinfo r8169" depending on the version used (indicated by "lsmod").
And "lspci | grep Ethernet".

Thanks

[Matt Biddle (eightbitalpha)]

@HacKrux

Everything seems fine today, the driver is now appears to be functioning, not sure whats changed since yesterday, from what I can tell no updates affecting the driver have been installed, must have been a hardware issue. Heres the result output you wanted anyway...

filename: /lib/modules/3.0.0-12-generic/kernel/drivers/net/r8169.ko
firmware: rtl_nic/rtl8105e-1.fw
firmware: rtl_nic/rtl8168e-2.fw
firmware: rtl_nic/rtl8168e-1.fw
firmware: rtl_nic/rtl8168d-2.fw
firmware: rtl_nic/rtl8168d-1.fw
version: 2.3LK-NAPI
license: GPL
description: RealTek RTL-8169 Gigabit Ethernet driver
author: Realtek and the Linux r8169 crew <email address hidden>
srcversion: 91BDC1109C31F7EEF7E9783
alias: pci:v00000001d00008168sv*sd00002410bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00001737d00001032sv*sd00000024bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000016ECd00000116sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00001259d0000C107sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00001186d00004302sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00001186d00004300sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000010ECd00008169sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000010ECd00008168sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000010ECd00008167sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000010ECd00008136sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000010ECd00008129sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
depends:
vermagic: 3.0.0-12-generic SMP mod_unload modversions
parm: use_dac:Enable PCI DAC. Unsafe on 32 bit PCI slot. (int)
parm: debug:Debug verbosity level (0=none, ..., 16=all) (int)

Thanks

[Teihoo (teihoo)]

This network card problem (with 8111/8168 chipset) is present in Ubuntu distributions since 10.x for me. However the recent kernel version 3.x also crippled the installation of driver from Realtek site, but I found a workaround on Linux Mint forums:

http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=80757

just replace kernel version with your own, when copying the .ko file.

Hope this bug gets fixed soon - just google for "ubuntu realtek 8168 driver problem" you'll see lots of posts :-)

(as of yesterday, when i did clean 11.10 install, my network card is still detected as 8169, which then works a bit, but usually drops connection speed really soon, and eventually all network traffics stops)

[FR. Loïc (hackurx)]

Same problem under debian 6.0.3:
http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=627704#84

I will try to contact the developer.

[FR. Loïc (hackurx)]

I was contacted by developers, the recent kernel (3.1rc) should perform better.

[confiq (confiq)]

I'm also effected by this bug.
Just I'm using up-to-date ubuntu 11.10 and have similar problem.
The difference between my machine and reporters that:
1) I have "packet loss" when I ping my default gateway (aprox. 25%)
2) ifconfig tells me:
          RX packets:1140608 errors:0 dropped:1140608 overruns:0 frame:1140608

The connection is stable but slow...

[FR. Loïc (hackurx)]

I have tested with a kernel 3.1.0-rc4 and new version of the driver works well.

[confiq (confiq)]

I'm on 3.0.0-12-generic. The weird thing is that now works ok :(
Yesterday I had problems but since this morning everything is fine.
Just to make things clearer, I did check another OS before confirming that i have this bug.

[Leann Ogasawara (leannogasawara)]

For anyone interested in trying the never version of the r8169 driver that's in the latest upstream v3.1 kernel, I've provided it via the linux-backports-modules-3.0.0 package which I've uploaded to my PPA:

https://launchpad.net/~leannogasawara/+archive/ppa/

After adding the PPA to your system, you will want to install linux-backports-modules-net-3.0.0-12-generic which will provide the newer r8169 driver. Please note that you need to be using the linux-image-3.0.0-12-generic kernel when you install and you will also need to reboot after installing.

So, for anyone who is still experiencing issues, please let me know your results after having tested the newer driver.

[FR. Loïc (hackurx)]

Ok thank you but for my part I can not test it before the weekend or next week.

[avejidah (avejidah)]

I have the same problem. I'm running a dual-boot system, window$ 7 and Noobuntu 11.10. If I boot in to windows, then boot into Ubuntu, the network never comes up. If I completely turn off the power (i.e. unplug the computer from the wall), then the network will come up. Other threads suggest this is a problem with WOL in Windows, however I have WOL enabled in Windows and in the bios, and in Ubuntu via ethtool (I use WOL). I also tried disabling autoneg on the device with ethtool, but that doesn't work either. I'm testing this backport driver now - I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks!

[avejidah (avejidah)]

Leann Ogasawara, you are my hero.

[FR. Loïc (hackurx)]

and I'm not your hero? : p

[Cas (calumlind)]

Thanks Leann, I had major issues with network dropping out every 5min but now with the backport driver everything is working nicely :D

[queique (queique)]

  Hi. I have the same network controller and ubuntu 11.10. Wireless work, but download rates are very poor (sometimes with good upload speeds).

  I've installed the ppa drivers in #22. Maybe it works better now, but the connection speed is still ugly.

[LaLu (mat-buff)]

Thanks a lot, it solved the same issue I had here ... ( same hardware )

Let's wait for the 3.1 kernel now :-)

[Leeq (leekyuh)]

Thanks a lot Leann Ogasawara, that was a great contribution!

[Matt Ginzton (matt-ginzton)]

Thanks Leann and hackurx.

I'm trying to use Ubuntu 11.10 on a fit-pc2i with Realtek hardware (RTL8111/8168B according to lspci), with vlan tagging enabled via virtual interfaces, and was seeing an easily reproducible kernel freeze. The signature of the problem is: if I run "tail -f /var/log/kern.log" I'd see multiple "eth1: link up" messages (with no intervening "link down"), followed shortly thereafter by the box becoming completely unresponsive.

It's easy to find complaints about r8169 problems all over the Internet and mostly they say to use r8168 instead; I tried that and I couldn't get it to work with vlan tagging whatsoever.

Then I tried the r8169 driver from Leann's ppa. I can still trigger the problem with the same repro steps, but now the kernel doesn't freeze. I do see the multiple "link up" messages, and one time I got warning backtrace from warn_slowpath_common in net/core/dev.c, but no freezing is a big improvement.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

This bug was fixed in the package linux-backports-modules-3.0.0 - 3.0.0-14.6

---------------
linux-backports-modules-3.0.0 (3.0.0-14.6) oneiric-proposed; urgency=low

  [ Leann Ogasawara ]

  * provide v3.1 r8169 driver
    - LP: #839393
  * Add compat-wireless 3.1.0
    - LP: #888769
  * Replace compat-wireless 3.1.0 with 3.1.1
    - LP: #890715
 -- Herton Ronaldo Krzesinski <email address hidden> Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:03:30 -0200

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

This bug was fixed in the package linux-meta - 3.0.0.14.16

---------------
linux-meta (3.0.0.14.16) oneiric-proposed; urgency=low

  [ Herton R. Krzesinski ]

  * Bump ABI

  [ Leann Ogasawara ]

  * Enable linux-backports-modules-net
    - LP: #839393
  * Add compat-wireless 3.1.0 meta package
    - LP: #888769
  * Replace compat-wireless meta package 3.1.0 with 3.1.1
    - LP: #890715
 -- Herton Ronaldo Krzesinski <email address hidden> Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:40:11 -0200

[GT (gauravtaneja)]

I had this issue, my network was extremely slow on Ubuntu and would time out very soon. After the proposed fix of installing the ppa followed by the backport package, I cannot restart the OS even in recovery mode.
Recalling from memory, it complains about VFS sync for the kernel...

[GT (gauravtaneja)]

Here's more info on that:
VFS: Cannot open root device "UUID=...correct value " or unknown block (0,0)
Please append a correct "root=" boot option; here are the available partitions:
nothing mentioned.
Kernel panic - not syncing : VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown block (0,0).

I will look into the grub.cfg and fstab next.

[Matt Ginzton (matt-ginzton)]

Hi Leann, just FYI, I sent a report of my problem (same as in comment 31) and after verifying which specific RTL8168 chipset I had, suggested I try a 3.2 RC kernel. I did so, using the RC7 kernel from http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.2-rc7-precise/, and this problem has been fixed completely, as far as I can tell. This bodes well for Precise.

In short, for my variant of the problem involving an RTL8168C, 3.1 works better than 3.0 and 3.2 works even better than 3.1.

[Jean-Francois Messier (jf-messier)]

I am also experiencing the same slowness issue with my new installation of Ubuntu 11.10 with the latest version of all packages. I use GIGABYTE GA-Z68MA-D2HB3 which has this Realtek 8111e chipset. I was thinking that the grade quality of my cable was not good enough for the 1GB/s connection, but I now realize this is not the case. I also experience a disconnection every few minutes, and transfer is very slow.

$ lspci | grep Ethernet
02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller (rev 06)

$ lsmod
Module Size Used by
mcs7830 13813 0
usbnet 26212 1 mcs7830
bnep 18436 2
rfcomm 47946 0
bluetooth 166112 10 bnep,rfcomm
parport_pc 36962 0
ppdev 17113 0
binfmt_misc 17540 1
(...)
mxm_wmi 12979 0
wmi 19256 1 mxm_wmi
snd 68266 14 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hwdep,snd_pcm,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq,snd_timer,snd_seq_device
i915 567092 3
drm_kms_helper 42558 1 i915
drm 236290 4 i915,drm_kms_helper
i2c_algo_bit 13423 1 i915
video 19412 1 i915
serio_raw 13166 0
soundcore 12680 1 snd
snd_page_alloc 18529 2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm
mei 41480 0
lp 17799 0
parport 46562 3 parport_pc,ppdev,lp
hid_apple 13375 0
usbhid 47198 0
hid 95463 2 hid_apple,usbhid
xhci_hcd 82820 0
r8169 52788 0

is there a new PPS that I can simply install/use to get the latest driver, as I understand that there is afix, although it is not provided with the latest patches from Ubuntu ?

Thanks :-)

[Jean-Max Reymond (jmreymond-free)]

Same issue :-(
Does it exist a fix and where ?

[Theodor van Nahl (tvn87)]

Hi Jean-Max, you can find the fix on oneiric-backports. Add the oneiric-backports to your package sources and run

apt-get install linux-backports-modules-net-$(uname -r)

I think such a kind of instruction should be written in the fix section of the bug report.

[Jean-Max Reymond (jmreymond-free)]

It is better but not definitive :-(
disconnect every 5 seconds and reconnect immediately on the enterprise network
it is correct at home after test of downloading 10 Gb

[Dingo_aus (dingo-australia)]

By following the advice for the r8168 driver here http://www.realtek.com/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=5&PFid=5&Level=5&Conn=4&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#RTL8111B/RTL8168B/RTL8111/RTL8168%3Cbr%3ERTL8111C/RTL8111CP/RTL8111D%28L%29%3Cbr%3ERTL8168C/RTL8111DP

I was able to improve network performance.

[JairunCaloth (jairuncaloth)]

Using the backported driver has appears to have fix my issues. My network has been stable with the driver for the past 24 hrs.
I installed the linux-backports-modules-net-oneiric-generic metapackage
It seems to me this would be a better practice so your network doesn't break every kernel upgrade.

[Zrin Ziborski (zrin+launchpad)]

Possible Workaround for 2.6.x kernels is to blacklist r8169, so r8168 can be used, see my comment
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/864750/comments/34

[Jean-Max Reymond (jmreymond-free)]

issue still remains in 12.04

[Jean-Max Reymond (jmreymond-free)]

The output of modinfo

% modinfo r8169
filename: /lib/modules/3.2.0-23-generic/kernel/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169.ko
firmware: rtl_nic/rtl8168f-2.fw
firmware: rtl_nic/rtl8168f-1.fw
firmware: rtl_nic/rtl8105e-1.fw
firmware: rtl_nic/rtl8168e-3.fw
firmware: rtl_nic/rtl8168e-2.fw
firmware: rtl_nic/rtl8168e-1.fw
firmware: rtl_nic/rtl8168d-2.fw
firmware: rtl_nic/rtl8168d-1.fw
version: 2.3LK-NAPI
license: GPL
description: RealTek RTL-8169 Gigabit Ethernet driver
author: Realtek and the Linux r8169 crew <email address hidden>
srcversion: D2E943E305757697B122FCF
alias: pci:v00000001d00008168sv*sd00002410bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00001737d00001032sv*sd00000024bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000016ECd00000116sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00001259d0000C107sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00001186d00004302sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00001186d00004300sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000010ECd00008169sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000010ECd00008168sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000010ECd00008167sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000010ECd00008136sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000010ECd00008129sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
depends:
intree: Y
vermagic: 3.2.0-23-generic SMP mod_unload modversions
parm: use_dac:Enable PCI DAC. Unsafe on 32 bit PCI slot. (int)
parm: debug:Debug verbosity level (0=none, ..., 16=all) (int)

[Fabio Marconi (fabiomarconi)]

Hello
This was closed as fix released, so I open a new report:
bug 998200
If you still affect, please mark as affecting you on that bug.
Please don't add more comments on this report, noone will look in this.
---
Ubuntu Bug Squad volunteer triager
http://wiki.ubuntu.com/BugSquad

[Dmitry (fwebstudio)]

This affect ubuntu 12.04.3, 13.10 (kernel 3.11.0-15-generic) and daily 14.04 (30 Jan 2014),
network speed variable, some sites not open or very slow.
Replace driver with r8168 from this http://www.realtek.com/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=5&PFid=5&Level=5&Conn=4&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#2 not help.

lspci -nn | grep Ethernet
02:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller [10ec:8168] (rev 0c)

lsmod | grep r81
r8169 67581 0
mii 13934 1 r8169

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[eric.vdelst (eric-vdelst)]

kernel 3.13.0-27 also affected.

01:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller [10ec:8168] (rev 01)
 Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Motherboard (one of many) [1849:8168]
 Control: I/O+ Mem+ BusMaster+ SpecCycle- MemWINV- VGASnoop- ParErr- Stepping- SERR- FastB2B- DisINTx+
 Status: Cap+ 66MHz- UDF- FastB2B- ParErr- DEVSEL=fast >TAbort- <TAbort- <MAbort- >SERR- <PERR- INTx-
 Latency: 0, Cache Line Size: 32 bytes
 Interrupt: pin A routed to IRQ 40
 Region 0: I/O ports at d800 [size=256]
 Region 2: Memory at feaff000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
 Expansion ROM at feac0000 [disabled] [size=128K]
 Capabilities: [40] Power Management version 2
  Flags: PMEClk- DSI- D1+ D2+ AuxCurrent=375mA PME(D0-,D1+,D2+,D3hot+,D3cold+)
  Status: D0 NoSoftRst- PME-Enable- DSel=0 DScale=0 PME-
 Capabilities: [48] Vital Product Data
  Unknown small resource type 05, will not decode more.
 Capabilities: [50] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/2 Maskable- 64bit+
  Address: 00000000fee0100c Data: 4191
 Capabilities: [60] Express (v1) Endpoint, MSI 00
  DevCap: MaxPayload 1024 bytes, PhantFunc 0, Latency L0s <128ns, L1 unlimited
   ExtTag+ AttnBtn+ AttnInd+ PwrInd+ RBE- FLReset-
  DevCtl: Report errors: Correctable- Non-Fatal- Fatal- Unsupported-
   RlxdOrd+ ExtTag- PhantFunc- AuxPwr- NoSnoop+
   MaxPayload 128 bytes, MaxReadReq 4096 bytes
  DevSta: CorrErr- UncorrErr+ FatalErr- UnsuppReq+ AuxPwr+ TransPend-
  LnkCap: Port #0, Speed 2.5GT/s, Width x1, ASPM L0s, Exit Latency L0s unlimited, L1 unlimited
   ClockPM- Surprise- LLActRep- BwNot-
  LnkCtl: ASPM Disabled; RCB 64 bytes Disabled- CommClk+
   ExtSynch- ClockPM- AutWidDis- BWInt- AutBWInt-
  LnkSta: Speed 2.5GT/s, Width x1, TrErr- Train- SlotClk+ DLActive- BWMgmt- ABWMgmt-
 Capabilities: [84] Vendor Specific Information: Len=4c <?>
 Kernel driver in use: r8169

 lsmod | grep r81
r8169 67581 0
mii 13934 1 r8169

[Rolf Leggewie (r0lf)]

oneiric has seen the end of its life and is no longer receiving any updates. Marking the oneiric task for this ticket as "Won't Fix".

[Oliver (oliver-assarbad)]

Where would one find the corresponding bug for Trusty? I'm seeing this on Trusty (14.04.2) with the Utopic kernel (3.16.0-33-generic) and I also saw it with the Trusty kernel (3.13.0-46-generic).

Thanks.

[Jeffrey Walton (noloader)]

This issue is still present in Ubuntu Server, 14.03.