nforce2 keeps crashing with 2.4.27pre3

nforce2 keeps crashing with 2.4.27pre3

[Jens Kübler]

Hi

I have grabbed the latest pre of the kernel and compiled everything. At bootup 
the nforce2 fixup message appears but as soon as I cause heavy network 
traffic the system still locks up. 
I'm using a rtl8169 1Gbit network card which reads data from a 1Gbit connected 
raid10 so transfer rates can get pretty high (some tests gave me about 70MB/s 
reading)

The system runs fine with the apic tack patch that i use since december 
(kernel 2.4.23) except for my new gigabit network card.
I'm importing different network shares via nfs and the gigabit seems to have 
problems with this patch. When traffic rises the kernel considers that the 
nfs server is not responding and waits for it to come back. It does after 
some time and then this cycle starts again and again. Transfer rates drop due 
to this to less than 1Mb/s.

When I installed 2.4.27pre3 i had none of these nfs timeouts but the system 
halt. The whole home directory is imported via nfs and it seemed for me much 
more responsive than with the apic tack patched kernel.

I will be greatful for any suggestions.

Btw: I'm not subscribed so please send cc to me ;-)

Jens

Re: nforce2 keeps crashing with 2.4.27pre3

[Jeff Garzik]

Jens Kübler wrote:
> Hi
> 
> I have grabbed the latest pre of the kernel and compiled everything. At bootup 
> the nforce2 fixup message appears but as soon as I cause heavy network 
> traffic the system still locks up. 
> I'm using a rtl8169 1Gbit network card which reads data from a 1Gbit connected 
> raid10 so transfer rates can get pretty high (some tests gave me about 70MB/s 
> reading)

Driver bugs...  r8169 needs updating.

	Jeff

Re: nforce2 keeps crashing with 2.4.27pre3

[Francois Romieu]

Jeff Garzik <jgarzik@pobox.com> :
[...]
> Driver bugs...  r8169 needs updating.

Do you have a specific option in mind:
- simple 2.6.6 backport (no napi nor ethtool support);
- netdev backport (2.6.6 + napi)
- new wave (2.6.6 + napi + ethtool/link/TBI rework)
- other ?

--
Ueimor

Re: nforce2 keeps crashing with 2.4.27pre3

[Jeff Garzik]

Francois Romieu wrote:
> Jeff Garzik <jgarzik@pobox.com> :
> [...]
> 
>>Driver bugs...  r8169 needs updating.
> 
> 
> Do you have a specific option in mind:
> - simple 2.6.6 backport (no napi nor ethtool support);
> - netdev backport (2.6.6 + napi)
> - new wave (2.6.6 + napi + ethtool/link/TBI rework)


I prefer to have the 2.4 and 2.6 drivers as close as possible to each 
other, to reduce the maintenance burden.

If the mainline r8169.c looks stable, then I would take that source and 
backport it to 2.4.x.

	Jeff

r8169 backport for 2.4.27-pre3 (was: Re: nforce2 keeps crashing with 2.4.27pre3)

[Francois Romieu]

Jeff Garzik <jgarzik@pobox.com> :
[...]
> I prefer to have the 2.4 and 2.6 drivers as close as possible to each 
> other, to reduce the maintenance burden.
> 
> If the mainline r8169.c looks stable, then I would take that source and 
> backport it to 2.4.x.

Imho 2.6.6 seems a good candidate:
- most of it has been fixed/tested for a few months before it was integrated;
- to my surprize, it did not trigger a storm of bug reports after its
  integration;
- its late features have no strong equivalent in 2.4 and even if _less_
  tested, they have been tested and are isolated/simple (knock on wood).
- the previous 2.4.x backport which were based on the same tree seemed sane.

I have made a single patch for it against 2.4.27-pre3:
http://www.fr.zoreil.com/people/francois/misc/20040526-2.4.27-pre3-r8169.c-stable.patch

The relevant serie of patches is available at:
http://www.fr.zoreil.com/linux/kernel/2.4.x/2.4.27-pre3-a

rsync does not crash, it survives link removal, packet storm and so (though
it will complain from excess work in interrupt context as the patch does not
include napi nor latest link/ethtool goodies). So I hope nothing trivially
broken went in.

When you want this serie submitted by mail, just ask.

--
Ueimor 

Re: r8169 backport for 2.4.27-pre3

[Jeff Garzik]

Francois Romieu wrote:
> I have made a single patch for it against 2.4.27-pre3:
> http://www.fr.zoreil.com/people/francois/misc/20040526-2.4.27-pre3-r8169.c-stable.patch


Thanks, I applied this to 2.4.x.

	Jeff

Re: nforce2 keeps crashing with 2.4.27pre3

[Francois Romieu]

Jens K?bler <cleanerx@au.hadiko.de> :
[r8169 dysfunction on 2.4.27-pre3]
> I will be greatful for any suggestions.

http://www.fr.zoreil.com/people/francois/misc/20040526-2.4.27-pre3-r8169.c-test.patch

Please report further success/failure on netdev@oss.sgi.com

--
Ueimor

Re: nforce2 keeps crashing with 2.4.27pre3

[Jens Kübler]

> [r8169 dysfunction on 2.4.27-pre3]
> http://www.fr.zoreil.com/people/francois/misc/20040526-2.4.27-pre3-r8169.c-
>test.patch
> Please report further success/failure on netdev@oss.sgi.com

Hi

I have applied the patch and my system is now stable even when heavy network 
traffic appears. I enabled NAPI for the card. The network througput is still 
a bit low (~12MB/s) but I guess this is due to the unpatched endpoint which 
is also rtl8169 because bonnie told me both harddrives of the computers are 
capable of more than that.
System temperature dropped by 13° (from 55°) when idle for those interested in 
test results.

Thanx for help

Jens