[SOLVED: r8169 is the culprit] Re: 2.6.39, 3.0.0-rc7+: complete system freeze with rsync on big directory

[Michael Brade <brade@informatik.uni-muenchen.de>]

Hi,

finally I found the reason for my system freeze: the r8169 module. The freeze 
happens only on heavy network loads, i.e. > 70 MB/s. iSCSI is really fast, 
that's why I only saw the freezes with iSCSI.

> But watching the normal console I get loads of
> 
> r8169 0000:13:00.0: eth0: link up
> r8169 0000:13:00.0: eth0: link up

This does not happen with 2.6.32.28, and the system doesn't freeze either with 
this kernel. So the r8169 is fine on 2.6.32.x. 2.6.37 and above freeze the 
system. I haven't tried any kernel in between .32 and .37.

> [...]
> 
> lspci:
> 
> 13:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B
> PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller (rev 03)

The solution with 2.6.37 and above: use the r8168 module from the realtek 
website. I have tested it with >30 GB at rates of 112 MB/s and experienced no 
freeze anymore.

I don't know if you are interested in fixing r8169 but if so and you need 
anything, let me know how I can help.

cheers,
  Michael