LAN Speed Config?

[qcumber]

Hi there,

I've just bought an N2100 to replace a truely dire Netgear NAS box.

I seem to have a problem with frequent disconnects - I'm trying to copy my fairly large MP3 collection over to the N2100 and after a few minutes the device connection fails. This only occurs when using my Cisco 100mb 2950 switch and if I direct connect my PCs Gb NIC to the 2100 it works fine.

I know that the 2950 can be a bit fussy with auto-negotiate devices, and I was wondering if there's anyway to force the NIC on the N2100 to 100Mb / Full duplex rather than letting it auto negotiate it own connection speed?

Cheers,

Q.

[omega]

Hi qcumber,

welcome to the forum...

You're right: the network cards on the N5200 are set for auto-negotiation.

First of all to do something on your own, you need to have SSH access so install the SSHD and SYSUSER modules.

Then login as user sys and try the following commands:

1) In order to see the settings for the ethernet interface eth0 try this:
/img/bin/ethtool eth0
2) Now setting the interface eth0 to 100MBit and autonegotation off use this command:
/img/bin/ethtool -s eth0 speed 100 duplex full autoneg off
3) If you want to set it back to auto-negotiation issue this command(s):
/img/bin/ethtool -s eth0 autoneg on
And probably this command to restart auto-negatiation (but normally not needed):
/img/bin/ethtool -r eth0

Hope this helps you and let me know if it worked for you.... (I tried it and it worked for me)

Andreas

[qcumber]

Hi Andreas,

thank you for the suggestion. I've found the SSH module (thanks to the ThecusWiki), but I've not yet tracked down the SYSUSER module.

Could someone please point me to a download location for SYSUSER?

Cheers,

Q.

[omega]

Sure, all he modules are here: onbeat.dk/thecus/index.php/N5200_Module_List

Andreas

[qcumber]

Sorry Andreas, I'm using an N2100.

Both the modules you specify appear to be for an N5200, and neither will install on my 2100 as the NAS device types don't match.

Am I missing something?

Cheers,

Q.

[dbridges]

Omega's gotten lost and thinks that you've got a n5200 ;D

The ssh module is all you need. You use the password reset to change the password and then log in as sys.

Do a search for the ssh module in the n2100 lists or come back and ask as many questions as you want.

The commands wont work either and the n2100 doesn't have ethtool.

Do a search on ifconfig and see what you can turn up.

Make sure you haven't turned jumbo frames on. I dont think you have but you never know.

Edit: Don't ever try to install a 5200 module on a n2100

[omega]

So sorry, don't know where my thoughts have been .....

But anyway, what I've said should be valid even for the N2100 if the ethtool is available.

That tool wasn't available on the N5200 in the last version so I built it myself and wrote Thecus to include it in the next version and now we have it officially.

Dbridges: maybe this is possible for the N2100 too....

Especially for older HUBs, switches or routers I know that auto speed negotiation could be a real problem.... so like for most switches or other network devices the Thecus devices should offer to configure them not to use auto negotiation and to set the parameters manually.

Andreas

[qcumber]

Thanks for the speedy replies guys.

I've got SSH installed and working nicely.

I've had a quick look at IFCONFIG and the MEDIA and MEDIAOPT parameters (*nix newby here btw) and I'll give it a try when I get home tonight.

Cheers,

Q.

[dbridges]

I haven't been able to find a way to set up a development environment on the n2100 given that it's an arm based processor.

Unfortunately the woody distribution is starting to disappear from servers and it's getting more difficult day by day.

As for thecus i'm sure that they dont like me given that i have pointed out a number of flaws in their firmware and product direction

I agree that given the network issues experienced that thecus should attempt to assist. Unless the cisco 2950 is a managed switch and it's config is messed up.

[omega]

Hi dbridges,

dbridges said:

As for thecus i'm sure that they dont like me given that i have pointed out a number of flaws in their firmware and product direction

... this should be the same for me too

But I think it's not like this. We both are doing our best to help users to get out of their problems and basically it would be Thecus job.

They told me that they plan to have a stronger focus on support, we'll see....

But they would be wise not to ignore us because more and more people are telling here that they have decided to buy a Thecus product because of this forum here.

So try it, write them and ask them if it would be possible to include the ethtool utility (still don't know if it is technically possible though).

Andreas

[omega]

Peter,

you're right - RENMOD is a pseudo-module and should be working regardless of the firmware version....

Andreas

[qcumber]

Hi there,

just a quick update on my LAN speed issue. It transpires the disconnects were being caused by a faulty NIC in one of my servers.

I've replaced the card and now the Thecus is working perfectly.

Thanks for the suggestions anyway guys.

Cheers,

Q.