Problems using Realtek RTL8111GR for LAN connection

[Prufrock]

I'm trying to install NAS4Free on a new Mini-ITX system but can't seem to get LAN connection to work; NAS4Free doesn't seem to recognise the built-in network port, which is described as a Realtek RTL8111GR.

I've previously used FreeNAS (up to 9.2) on an system created from old components, but it's become so unreliable I decided to start with fresh hardware: ASRock AM1B-ITX motherboard, AMD Sempron 3850, 8 GB memory and 2 x 2TB drives. I could not get a fresh download of FreeNAS to install from USB however much I tried, so I turned to NAS4Free 9.2 (x64) and was pleased to be able to install an embedded copy to a USB drive. However, I cannot get the console options to set up the network adapter and specify an IP address. It seems to see the adapter but not be able to select it, and although I can put in all the IP address details, once it's tried to configure this it returns to a request to use the default address beginning 127.... It then tells me it has no network connection.

I see that Realtek adapters have a mixed reputation, but that earlier versions of 8111 seem to work in FreeBSD; this adapter also works for me for Linux Mint 17 that I tried out on a spare drive on the new system. Unfortunately the motherboard doesn't seem to have a PCIe expansion slot for me to try another adapter - it only has a PCI Express 2.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1 @ x4 mode), which I assume will only take a graphics card. Having just built the system, I don't want to start all over again with another motherboard!

Am I doing something wrong? Is there a patch I can use? I've used FreeNAS before, but not much - and I realise that this is not Linux.

Thanks for any help.

[b0ssman]

You can use a pcie network card in the x16 slot.


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[Prufrock]

Thanks! I hadn't realised that. Ideally, I'd like to get the built-in card working, but at least I can now look for an add-on network card. I'll avoid Realtek and check the compatibility list.

[Onichan]

I suggest Intel, such as http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 24G1XA5402

[Prufrock]

Thanks very much! I'd been looking at Intel cards, including that very model - I've now ordered one and will see if that cures the problem.

[Prufrock]

Quick update: the Intel Gigabit CT network card, model EXPI9301CT, has now arrived and it works just fine. Thanks for the helpful information; now I need to get to grips with pools and RAIDZ - and looking forward to it!

[crowi]

now I need to get to grips with pools and RAIDZ - and looking forward to it!

Supports DDR3 1600/1333/1066 non-ECC

Forget about Pools and RAIDZ with that mainboard, you need something that supports ECC RAM if you want to use ZFS

[Prufrock]

Uh-ho! I now realise I should have read more closely. thanks for the warning; although I've found some contradictory advice about this, I'll investigate carefully and probably stick to UFS. My previous build, with an surplus desktop machine using FreeNAS (originally version 7 or 8, I think) and 2 GB non-ECC RAM ran with ZFS for 2 or 3 years and the file system seemed OK. Perhaps I was lucky!

[crowi]

The problem is, you can be lucky for years and then with one scrub destroy your data.
Good and further reading here:
https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?th ... zfs.15449/