I need more details of 82579's link drop issue for trouble confirmation

[ksugi7]

I have frequent link down trouble in our customer factory but can't re-produce in our bench.

The frequent link down port uses the 82579 nic and I found out the below issue.

https://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000e/ich8lan.c?id=4d24136c8ea03ecfdb6b8256571da8b520b92d8b kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git - Linux kernel source tree

It seems the relaxation of link down condition, but can't understand detail work around.

The modifed registers lost in 82579's specification, So, please share the information.

* MSE

what of MSE? how condition leads link down?

* original valule

please share the threshold and counter's original values and meenings.

Thanks,

[idata]

Hi Ksugiyama,

Thank you for the post. I will have to further check on this. For the meantime, can you share-what is the exact Linux OS version use- what brand and model is your board?-driver version (from Intel or the board vendor) Thanks,wb

[ksugi7]

Hi wb,

Thank you for your reply. and I'm sorry to lack the environment information.

- OS : Windows7sp1

- PC : CONTEC Custom ( equivalet of EPC2000 series )

- driver : 11.8.84

So, our environment windows. Because I heard the driver code base is same between windows and linux, I investigated linux driver modification history.

Thanks,

Ksugiyama

[idata]

Hi Ksugiyama,

If you are using Windows environment, can you provide Windows detail e.g the event log? As Linux is different from Windows.rgds,wb

[ksugi7]

Hello wb,

I'm sorry of my late response.

I'd attach the translated event log but, I couldn't attach the xlsx files.

If you need original, could you share the method of attaching binary files.

Thanks,

Ksugiyama

[idata]

Hi Ksugiyama,

Thank you for the information. I will check how this can be done if needed. The log file did not show much information. I will update you.Thanks,wb

[idata]

Hi Ksugiyama,

Good day. If you are not able to reproduce the issue at your end, youmay check the switch used by your client. Please help provide if there is any recent changes made when the issue occured,what are the recent changes done on the system? We have known issue of 82579 with Netgear XSM7224s switch wherein the linkflap/disconnection occurs when EEE mode is enabled, the solution is to disable that function. You may refer to the README.TXT for reference: https://downloadmirror.intel.com/22283/eng/readme.txtThe MSE stands for Mean Square Error which setting it higher would enable the link to stay up when noise is high. The driver version 21.1 comes with higher driver version 12.15.31.4 for 82579 which is dated 3/29/16. You can check with the system board vendor for similar driver versionfrom the board vendor to test. Hope the above information help.Rgds,wb

[ksugi7]

Hi wb,

Thank you for your information.

* switch

Yes, we suspect our switch,too. Although we apply EEE disable setting to driver, It's not effect for link flapping.

Our Switch Type is CentreCom GS924L V2 and we think the trial of switch replacement after checking driver update result.

* recent chage or cause event

In our fab, it isn't reproduced and as far as I know, it isn't caused by any changed event.

* MSE & driver information

My understanding of above patch is relaxing the linkdown condition by noise level (MSE threshold), collect?

Thanks to share the driver update information. we confirm board vendor.

Thanks,

Best Regards,

Ksugiyama

[idata]

Hi Ksugiyama,

Thank you for the information. Please feel free to update me the result if you have confirm with the board vendor driver.Thanks. rgds,wb

[ksugi7]

Hello wb,

Good news!

Our field engineers report me the result of driver updating (to 12.15.30.0).

Before updating, link flapping occurs a machine / day in hundreds machines. After updating, although tempolary link down occurs, any link flapping didn't occur in several weeks.

Thank you!

I think this issue's root cause is around relaxing MSE setting, So, how did you know the confirmation method of linkdown reason?

Thanks,

Best Regards.

Ksugiyama

[idata]

Hi Ksugiyama,

This is indeed a good news and I am glad for you. We do not have specific information but the Mean Square Error is the setting in which setting it higher would enable the link to stay up when noise is high. Further, it is recommended to use latest driver for network connection. For the meantime, any further assistance needed? Thanks.rgds,wb

[ksugi7]

Hi wb,

I see. And I appreciate for your assistance. we'll have been checking customer's machine status for a while.

Thanks.

Best Regards,

Ksugiyama

[idata]

Hi Ksugiyama,

You are welcome. Please feel free to update us in case you need further assistance from us.rgds,wb