Ethernet fails randomly - DHC ok but no access

[killinjoe]

Hello,

I have tried a lot of possible solves and been through a myriad of posts but nobody seems to have the exact problem I have, which occurs on both my media center PC and my regular PC. Both are old and run on LM Cinnamon 20.2... I think the problem started with LM 19.1.

The problem is that I repeatedly lose access to the WAN after a random time. Wifi goes too. Whether I am actually using my internet connexion or not makes no difference. The only way to solve the probleme is a reboot.

I lose access to the router's interface too if that's any help. It is not a component issue (I have eliminated that possibility). Here is the result for ifconfig:

Code: Select all

enp1s0: flags=4163<UP,BROADCAST,RUNNING,MULTICAST>  mtu 1500
        inet 192.168.1.113  netmask 255.255.255.0  broadcast 192.168.1.255
        ether c0:06:c3:02:8e:b6  txqueuelen 1000  (Ethernet)
        RX packets 18204  bytes 9114858 (9.1 MB)
        RX errors 0  dropped 1  overruns 0  frame 0
        TX packets 27172  bytes 10203267 (10.2 MB)
        TX errors 0  dropped 0 overruns 0  carrier 0  collisions 0
        device interrupt 32  base 0x9000  

enp6s0: flags=4099<UP,BROADCAST,MULTICAST>  mtu 1500
        ether 00:24:8c:0e:77:56  txqueuelen 1000  (Ethernet)
        RX packets 0  bytes 0 (0.0 B)
        RX errors 0  dropped 0  overruns 0  frame 0
        TX packets 0  bytes 0 (0.0 B)
        TX errors 0  dropped 0 overruns 0  carrier 0  collisions 0
        device interrupt 18  base 0x9000  

lo: flags=73<UP,LOOPBACK,RUNNING>  mtu 65536
        inet 127.0.0.1  netmask 255.0.0.0
        loop  txqueuelen 1000  (Boucle locale)
        RX packets 926  bytes 84741 (84.7 KB)
        RX errors 0  dropped 0  overruns 0  frame 0
        TX packets 926  bytes 84741 (84.7 KB)
        TX errors 0  dropped 0 overruns 0  carrier 0  collisions 0

tun0: flags=4305<UP,POINTOPOINT,RUNNING,NOARP,MULTICAST>  mtu 1500
        inet 10.8.1.3  netmask 255.255.255.0  destination 10.8.1.3
        unspec 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00  txqueuelen 100  (UNSPEC)
        RX packets 17676  bytes 7740670 (7.7 MB)
        RX errors 0  dropped 0  overruns 0  frame 0
        TX packets 26667  bytes 8360951 (8.3 MB)
        TX errors 0  dropped 0 overruns 0  carrier 0  collisions 0

thank you very much for any help you could provide.

[SMG]

I have tried a lot of possible solves and been through a myriad of posts but nobody seems to have the exact problem I have, which occurs on both my media center PC and my regular PC. Both are old and run on LM Cinnamon 20.2... I think the problem started with LM 19.1.

The problem is that I repeatedly lose access to the WAN after a random time. Wifi goes too. Whether I am actually using my internet connexion or not makes no difference. The only way to solve the probleme is a reboot.

Welcome to the forum, killinjoe.

To reboot the router or reboot the computers?

Can you give us information about the computers? Unless they have the exact same hardware, it is possible there is another common issue that is affecting this situation.

Please give us information about your computers by entering this command in a terminal: inxi -Fxxxrz
Click </> from the mini toolbar above the textbox where you type your reply and then place your cursor between the code markers and paste the results of the command between the code markers [code]Results[/code]. This will let us know how Mint sees your hardware.

[killinjoe]

First of all, hello and thanks a lot for taking an interest. I've been around quite some time (since LM7) but I was mostly active on the French forum linuxmint-fr.org till it disappeared (4000+ posts).

Yes, I have tried rebooting the router: no change. Rebooting the computers work but Ethernet always fails after a while, for no particular reason apparently (my LAN keeps on working though, but I can't access the 192.168.1.1 router interface anymore). I must point out that I've moved to India recently and this problem followed me across the whole Asian continent. different provider, different router, still fiber. Also, I replaced the motherboard integrated network chipset on the desk computer by a Gigabit TG-3468 couple of weeks ago, to no avail.

Both computers are running LM 20.2 64 bit Cinnamon. here are the results on both computers for inxi:

desk computer:

Code: Select all

jo@jo-bureau:~$ inxi -Fxxxrz
System:    Kernel: 5.4.0-88-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.3.0 Desktop: Cinnamon 5.0.5 info: cairo-dock 
           wm: muffin 5.0.1 dm: LightDM 1.30.0 Distro: Linux Mint 20.2 Uma base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:   Type: Desktop Mobo: ASUSTeK model: P6T v: Rev 1.xx serial: <filter> BIOS: American Megatrends v: 1408 
           date: 09/21/2010 
CPU:       Topology: Quad Core model: Intel Core i7 920 bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Nehalem rev: 4 
           L2 cache: 8192 KiB 
           flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 42763 
           Speed: 1604 MHz min/max: 1600/2668 MHz boost: enabled Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1608 2: 1604 3: 1621 4: 1608 
           5: 1604 6: 1610 7: 1621 8: 1617 
Graphics:  Device-1: NVIDIA G92 [GeForce GTS 250] vendor: Gigabyte driver: nouveau v: kernel bus ID: 02:00.0 
           chip ID: 10de:0615 
           Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.11 driver: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa 
           resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz, 1920x1080~60Hz 
           OpenGL: renderer: NV92 v: 3.3 Mesa 21.0.3 direct render: Yes 
Audio:     Device-1: Intel 82801JI HD Audio vendor: ASUSTeK driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0 
           chip ID: 8086:3a3e 
           Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.4.0-88-generic 
Network:   Device-1: Realtek driver: r8168 v: 8.048.00-NAPI port: a800 bus ID: 01:00.0 chip ID: 10ec:8161 
           IF: enp1s0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter> 
           Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet vendor: ASUSTeK M3A78 Series 
           driver: r8168 v: 8.048.00-NAPI port: e800 bus ID: 06:00.0 chip ID: 10ec:8168 
           IF: enp6s0 state: down mac: <filter> 
           Device-3: Ralink RT2800 802.11n PCI driver: rt2800pci v: 2.3.0 port: e800 bus ID: 08:01.0 
           chip ID: 1814:0601 
           IF: wlp8s1 state: down mac: <filter> 
           IF-ID-1: tun0 state: unknown speed: 10 Mbps duplex: full mac: N/A 
Drives:    Local Storage: total: 652.08 GiB used: 103.99 GiB (15.9%) 
           ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Corsair model: Accelerator SSD size: 55.90 GiB speed: 3.0 Gb/s serial: <filter> 
           rev: 4 scheme: MBR 
           ID-2: /dev/sdb vendor: Hitachi model: HDP725032GLA360 size: 298.09 GiB speed: 3.0 Gb/s rotation: 7200 rpm 
           serial: <filter> rev: A5CA scheme: MBR 
           ID-3: /dev/sdc vendor: Hitachi model: HDP725032GLA360 size: 298.09 GiB speed: 3.0 Gb/s rotation: 7200 rpm 
           serial: <filter> rev: A5CA scheme: MBR 
Partition: ID-1: / size: 54.77 GiB used: 11.47 GiB (20.9%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1 
           ID-2: /home size: 293.30 GiB used: 92.52 GiB (31.5%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sdb1 
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 54.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: nouveau temp: 45 C 
           Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A gpu: nouveau fan: 1081 
Repos:     No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list 
           1: deb [arch=amd64] http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/nordvpn.list 
           1: deb https://repo.nordvpn.com/deb/nordvpn/debian stable main
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list 
           1: deb https://mirrors.piconets.webwerks.in/linuxmint-mirror/packages uma main upstream import backport
           2: deb http://ubuntu-archive.mirrors.estointernet.in focal main restricted universe multiverse
           3: deb http://ubuntu-archive.mirrors.estointernet.in focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
           4: deb http://ubuntu-archive.mirrors.estointernet.in focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
           5: deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-security main restricted universe multiverse
           6: deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ focal partner
Info:      Processes: 265 Uptime: 1h 03m Memory: 5.79 GiB used: 2.09 GiB (36.1%) Init: systemd v: 245 runlevel: 5 
           Compilers: gcc: 9.3.0 alt: 9 Shell: bash v: 5.0.17 running in: gnome-terminal inxi: 3.0.38 

Mediacenter:

Code: Select all

jo@jo-salon:~$ inxi -Fxxxrz
System:
  Kernel: 5.4.0-74-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.3.0 
  Desktop: Cinnamon 5.0.4 info: cairo-dock wm: muffin 5.0.1 
  dm: LightDM 1.30.0 Distro: Linux Mint 20.2 Uma base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:
  Type: Desktop System: Gigabyte product: H55M-UD2H v: N/A serial: <filter> 
  Chassis: type: 3 serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: Gigabyte model: H55M-UD2H v: x.x serial: <filter> BIOS: Award 
  v: F12a date: 09/21/2010 
Battery:
  Device-1: hidpp_battery_0 
  model: Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 Plus serial: <filter> 
  charge: 55% (should be ignored) rechargeable: yes status: Discharging 
CPU:
  Topology: Dual Core model: Intel Core i3 530 bits: 64 type: MT MCP 
  arch: Nehalem rev: 2 L2 cache: 4096 KiB 
  flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 23467 
  Speed: 2934 MHz min/max: 1197/2926 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 2934 2: 2933 
  3: 2933 4: 2933 
Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA GK208B [GeForce GT 710] vendor: ASUSTeK driver: nouveau 
  v: kernel bus ID: 02:00.0 chip ID: 10de:128b 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.9 driver: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa 
  resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: NV106 v: 4.3 Mesa 20.2.6 direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio 
  vendor: Gigabyte driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0 
  chip ID: 8086:3b56 
  Device-2: vendor: Avermedia driver: N/A bus ID: 01:00.0 chip ID: 1a0a:6200 
  Device-3: NVIDIA GK208 HDMI/DP Audio vendor: ASUSTeK driver: snd_hda_intel 
  v: kernel bus ID: 02:00.1 chip ID: 10de:0e0f 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.4.0-74-generic 
Network:
  Device-1: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet 
  vendor: Gigabyte driver: r8169 v: kernel port: ce00 bus ID: 04:00.0 
  chip ID: 10ec:8168 
  IF: enp4s0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter> 
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8192CU 802.11n WLAN Adapter type: USB 
  driver: rtl8192cu bus ID: 1-6:2 chip ID: 0bda:8178 serial: <filter> 
  IF: wlxf4f26d158d83 state: down mac: <filter> 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 232.89 GiB used: 37.19 GiB (16.0%) 
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Fujitsu model: MHY2250BH size: 232.89 GiB 
  speed: 1.5 Gb/s serial: <filter> rev: 000B scheme: MBR 
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 23.90 GiB used: 8.26 GiB (34.5%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1 
  ID-2: /home size: 108.57 GiB used: 28.93 GiB (26.6%) fs: ext4 
  dev: /dev/sda2 
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 42.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: nouveau temp: 44 C 
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A 
Repos:
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list 
  1: deb [arch=amd64] http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/nordvpn.list 
  1: deb https://repo.nordvpn.com/deb/nordvpn/debian stable main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list 
  1: deb http://packages.linuxmint.com uma main upstream import backport #id:linuxmint_main
  2: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main restricted universe multiverse
  3: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
  4: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
  5: deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-security main restricted universe multiverse
  6: deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ focal partner
Info:
  Processes: 213 Uptime: 2m Memory: 7.70 GiB used: 838.7 MiB (10.6%) 
  Init: systemd v: 245 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 9.3.0 alt: 9 Shell: bash 
  v: 5.0.17 running in: gnome-terminal inxi: 3.0.38 

[blueicetwice]

Hola, Joe

I had network issues for or over a year. I was advised to update
my kernel. Please upgrade to Kernel: 5.11.0-37-generic or higher.
[do not install any mainline kernels]

Dat upgrade stop my network connect issues cold.

[SMG]

I had network issues for or over a year. I was advised to update
my kernel. Please upgrade to Kernel: 5.11.0-37-generic or higher.

That kernel is for newer hardware. The hardware in this topic is not only more than a decade old, but the problem also started with LM19.1.

One pc seems to be using the r8168 driver and the other is using the r8169. You might want to check my post in the limited internet speed topic. This could be related to the hardware/driver.

The only other idea I have is the possibility this might be related to your vpn settings. When did you first install nordvpn? There is apparently a kill switch for it, but I do not know too much about it. Maybe it is a factor in this.

[blueicetwice]

I had network issues for or over a year. I was advised to update
my kernel. Please upgrade to Kernel: 5.11.0-37-generic or higher.

That kernel is for newer hardware. The hardware in this topic is not only more than a decade old, but the problem also started with LM19.1.

One pc seems to be using the r8168 driver and the other is using the r8169. You might want to check my post in the limited internet speed topic. This could be related to the hardware/driver.

Ms SMG, my rig was built in 2011. Network issues have plagued Minty OSs and other Linux OSs forever.
My current functioning Manjaro 20 and Solus 4.3 are using the r8169 driver, whereas, Minty 20.2 is working
correctly with a r8168

Furthermore, I fixed my vexing network issues [Mint 20.2] by upgrading the kernel [per instruction from Larry]. The bad
kernel is the same one the OP has.

[SMG]

Ms SMG, my rig was built in 2011. Network issues have plagued Minty OSs and other Linux OSs forever.

The custom driver in the post I referenced has helped some people, but if the newer kernel helped you, then maybe it will help this person.

killinjoe If you want to try the newer kernel, you can install it with these instructions.
Instructions for upgrading to the 5.11 kernel:

• Open Update Manager.
• Select View > Linux Kernels and click Continue.
• Make sure 5.11 is selected on the left panel and then click the top-most option on the right panel. An "Install" button will appear.
• Install the kernel and then reboot for it to become active.

[blueicetwice]

Where is Joe Where is Hunter

[killinjoe]

Sorry guys. I have not been online in some time. Thank you for the advice.

It don't think the VPN is the issue. I have extensively tested both with and without: the problem remains. Plus I have deactivated the kill switch.

I'll try the new kernel since I don't have much to lose.

[WHVW]

killinjoe:

Something you should not overlook is the possibility of overheating. It gets mighty hot in India, and days of 40 plus degrees will place greater demands on your computer's cooling system.
Are the fans working properly? Are the ducts and inlets free of dust? are the CPU heatsinks dust free? Compressed air and can of "freeze spray" could be of help.
Hope this helps.

[killinjoe]

Well, the new kernel did not change much.

As far as overheating is concerned, it is an interesting remark but we've got A/C and it is usually quite cool indoors (never above 28 Celcius). The mediacenter is quite compact so maybe, but the office computer is in a Lian Li tower with a very efficient (air but still) cooling system.

[SMG]

Well, the new kernel did not change much.

You have the option to try the Realtek driver I mentioned in my earlier post (below), but you will need to switch back to the 5.4 kernel to use it. That driver is only appropriate for kernels up to 5.6.

One pc seems to be using the r8168 driver and the other is using the r8169. You might want to check my post in the limited internet speed topic. This could be related to the hardware/driver.

[WHVW]

killinjoe:

I don't know if this will give you any further clues, but I have noticed here that I also cannot access my router (192.168.1.1.) when the VPN is active, although everything else is normal. Is your VPN machine based or router based? From what you've said, I would guess "machine". At any rate, you might try "flipping" your approach from one to the other (if possible) to see if it helps.
Although I am not an expert in inxi, have you run it both when things are running properly and for comparison, when the network fails?
I also could not help but notice:

System Temperatures: cpu: 54.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: nouveau temp: 45 C
Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A gpu: nouveau fan: 1081

Fifty-four is rather toasty.... I am also unsure of what they mean by "new" (ref: nouveau) temperature and "new" fan.
Hope some of this helps..

[SMG]

I also could not help but notice:

System Temperatures: cpu: 54.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: nouveau temp: 45 C
Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A gpu: nouveau fan: 1081

Fifty-four is rather toasty.... I am also unsure of what they mean by "new" (ref: nouveau) temperature and "new" fan.

Nouveau is the GPU. Those values refer to the GPU's temperature and fan speed. Nouveau indicates the open-source graphics driver is being used.

Also, 54C is not really that high. Ideally, one wants their cpu less than 50C. It can get a lot higher than 50C when under load.

[WHVW]

SMG:

Thanks for clearing up the "nouveau" thing. I guess the folks who wrote that command forgot there is a reason we capitalise proper nouns.

[killinjoe]

killinjoe:

I don't know if this will give you any further clues, but I have noticed here that I also cannot access my router (192.168.1.1.) when the VPN is active, although everything else is normal. Is your VPN machine based or router based? From what you've said, I would guess "machine". At any rate, you might try "flipping" your approach from one to the other (if possible) to see if it helps.
Although I am not an expert in inxi, have you run it both when things are running properly and for comparison, when the network fails?
I also could not help but notice:

System Temperatures: cpu: 54.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: nouveau temp: 45 C
Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A gpu: nouveau fan: 1081

Fifty-four is rather toasty.... I am also unsure of what they mean by "new" (ref: nouveau) temperature and "new" fan.
Hope some of this helps..

yes, machine based. I don't think the VPN is the problem but I'm willing to try anything at this point. I'll try for a long and identical period of time with VPN on and off. We'll see.

Thank you for your help.

[killinjoe]

ok. the problem doesn't occur when Nordvpn is disconnected, so the vpn is definitely guilty. I have no idea what setting causes it, however.

[SMG]

ok. the problem doesn't occur when Nordvpn is disconnected, so the vpn is definitely guilty. I have no idea what setting causes it, however.

Did you check the settings for the kill switch I referenced earlier? (reposted below)

The only other idea I have is the possibility this might be related to your vpn settings. When did you first install nordvpn? There is apparently a kill switch for it, but I do not know too much about it. Maybe it is a factor in this.

I've seen the kill switch mentioned in several threads on this forum, so that might be a setting to research.

[WHVW]

killinjoe:

O.K. It would seem to me that your killswitch is just doing it's job. Check where your VPN server is:
nordvpn status
in a terminal.
Just yesterday I experienced intermittent and choppy service only to discover that Nord had decided that I needed a server in South Korea, halfway around the world from me. Connecting to a local server fixed the problem.
You can choose your server in the form of
nordvpn c France Paris -or- nordvpn c United_States New_Mexico
Also, the fact that changing your server could (depending on direction) force a different route to your ISP might also be a factor.

Hope this all helps.

P.S. Don't forget man nordvpn either