[BUGS] freebsd ethernet traffic load

[Andrew]

On Wed, 7 Nov 2007, jonathan michaels wrote:

> running at 33k6 bits/s. these collisions have only started
> since the rest of teh network was upgraded to 100 mhz
> operating (switch 10/100 mhz telesys "centrecom fs708").

I would check your duplex settings then - make sure the switch and your 
FreeBSD box both agree as to full or half duplex. Auto-negotiation doesn't 
seem to be that reliable.

When I used to have to worry about such things I would set both the switch 
and the ethernet card to full duplex and so avoid using auto-negotiation at 
all. On the FreeBSD end it will be something like:

ifconfig dc0 media 100baseTX mediaopt full-duplex

(this is assuming your card and switch support 100Mb full-duplex - use the 
fastest capabilities they have in common if one or both don't).

Different switches will be configured differently but hopefully its 
obvious for yours - otherwise someone on this list may have used the same 
model you have and can give you a hint.

If you can't configure your switch (cheap ones don't support much more 
than on and off) then make sure you _don't_ set media and mediaopt on the 
FreeBSD end as the switch will be using auto-negotiation and if your 
FreeBSD box doesn't then it will definitely get it wrong in my experience.

HTH,

Andrew