Problem with RTL 8111/8168B internet works then stops.Wrong module is being used

[RathB5]

Hi

I have recently built a new computer for myself.Everything went great until I discovered that my internet would start ok.The icon would come up but after a while say 5 mins or so it would stop. Now I have windows 7 dual booted and everything worked fine with it. I tried a speed test and got my normal speed with my internet. There was no dropouts and the connection was steady.

So my router was working fine so there was something up with PClinuxOS 2012.2. I tried deleting the connection and setting one up but still the connection would be slow and would eventually drop.

My next port of call was here on the forums but my searching did not bring up anything useful.

Then I googled RTL 8111/8168B and there is quite a few listings stating that there is a problem with linux using the wrong module for the 8168B. It uses the 8169 module which is causing all the problems. You can check this by going to the Control Center and then Hardware then browse and configure hardware. Then on the ethernet tab scroll down to the bottom. It will state that module r8169 is in use.

So this is the solution to the unstable network connection.Installing the 8168B module.

First off download the Driver from here.

http: //www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=13&PFid=5&Level=5&Conn=4&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#2

Take the space out after the : for the link to work.

Then from a root terminal

lshw -short

rmmod r8169

tar xvf r8168-8.026.00.tar.bz2   -- you will have to point to the folder you downloaded the driver to

cd r8168-8.026.00/   --again you will have to point to the folder you extracted the driver to

modprobe -rfv r8169

make

cp src/r8168.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/

depmod -a

modprobe -v r8168

Then lastly I modify the etc/modprobe.conf changing the 8169 to 8168 as shown below

alias pci:v000010ECd00008168sv00001849sd00008168bc02sc00i00 r8168
alias eth0 r8168


I think this is all I did to get the connection working 100%. Feel free to tidy up the commands or any mistakes.

I use PCLinuxOS but I am no expert in the inner workings.

I have tested the speed and everything is back to normal.

Why I am posting this here is that My system was crippled by this for 3 days until I stumbled upon the solution.I was baffled as the connection would "work" and then die on me.

More importantly I did not find any reference on the PClinuxOS forums.

I would hate newcomers trying PClinuxOS for the first time and the internet not working for them.A real catch 22.

In my opinion this should be a sticky topic as I think it will trip up quite a few people.

I hope this helps others sort their systems.

[AS]

please, can you post the output of:

Code: [Select]

lspci -nn -k
only the lines related to the network adapter, thank you!

AS

[RathB5]

Hi yes

04:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller [10ec:8168] (rev 06)
        Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Motherboard (one of many) [1849:8168]
        Kernel driver in use: r8168
        Kernel modules: r8169, r8168

Is that what you are after.

[AS]

Hi yes

04:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller [10ec:8168] (rev 06)
        Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Motherboard (one of many) [1849:8168]
        Kernel driver in use: r8168
        Kernel modules: r8169, r8168

Is that what you are after.

Yes, that was! We are testing a new kernel that should properly support your card using the r8169 module.
Thanks. 

AS

[Old-Polack]

Hi yes

04:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller [10ec:8168] (rev 06)
        Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Motherboard (one of many) [1849:8168]
        Kernel driver in use: r8168
        Kernel modules: r8169, r8168

Is that what you are after.

Yes, that was! We are testing a new kernel that should properly support your card using the r8169 module.
Thanks. 

AS

Works fine with 2.6.38.8-pclos1.bfs default install kernel, as well as the 2.6.38.8-pclos3.bfs and 2.6.38.8-pclos3.pae.bfs kernels now.

From my computer:

Code: [Select]

03:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller [10ec:8168] (rev 06)
        Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology GA-EP45-DS5 Motherboard [1458:e000]
        Kernel driver in use: r8169
        Kernel modules: r8169

Also works properly with every Kernel I can test back to the upgraded 2007 pre release TR4 with a  2.6.22.15.tex3 kernel. The original installed kernel on that installation is 2.6.18.8.tex5, but I seem to have deleted the menu.lst stanza for that kernel.

The point being there is no kernel I can readily access on any installation on this machine (12 total, presently, ranging from 2007 to the current image installation) that doesn't work correctly with the supplied default modules for this controller.

Whatever the problem RathB5 is having, it is local to his machine, not a general problem of the supplied default modules.

[kjpetrie]

Possibly an interaction between the chipset on the ASRock MB and the ethernet controller or the router and the module (or even a setting in your BIOS)?

I have a (vaguely) similar problem with my Thomson router and the Intel wireless adapter in my laptop, which crashes the router if I have N mode enabled and access the Internet, but is fine if I only access the LAN or disable N mode.

These weird interactions sometimes happen. They're just bugs.

Anyway, glad you found a way round that works on your hardware.