e1000 detected Tx Unit Hang

This document (7000925) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 1

Situation

On a system equipped with Intel Gigabit LAN Controllers 82547, 82541GI etc., timeouts and lock-ups have been experienced. Sometimes the system does completely hang and a restart is necessary.
The messages in /var/log/message or with the command dmesg look like the following:

e1000: eth1: e1000_clean_tx_irq: Detected Tx Unit Hang
  Tx Queue             <0>
  TDH                  <ba>
  TDT                  <fa>
  next_to_use          <fa>
  next_to_clean        <b4>
buffer_info[next_to_clean]
  time_stamp           <2ab08d>
  next_to_watch        <bc>
  jiffies              <2ab275>
  next_to_watch.status <0>
e1000: eth1: e1000_clean_tx_irq: Detected Tx Unit Hang
  Tx Queue             <0>
  TDH                  <ba>
  TDT                  <fa>
  next_to_use          <fa>
  next_to_clean        <b4>
buffer_info[next_to_clean]
  time_stamp           <2ab08d>
  next_to_watch        <bc>
  jiffies              <2ab469>
  next_to_watch.status <0>
e1000: eth1: e1000_clean_tx_irq: Detected Tx Unit Hang
  Tx Queue             <0>
  TDH                  <ba>
  TDT                  <fa>
  next_to_use          <fa>
  next_to_clean        <b4>
buffer_info[next_to_clean]
  time_stamp           <2ab08d>
  next_to_watch        <bc>
  jiffies              <2ab65d>
  next_to_watch.status <0>
e1000: eth1: e1000_clean_tx_irq: Detected Tx Unit Hang

Resolution

Check with the command:
# /usr/sbin/ethtool -k ethX
whether TSO is on; If it is the case, turn it off with the command:
# /usr/sbin/ethtool -K ethX tso off

If this does not help, it is recommended to check the link configuration and/or update to the latest intel-e1000-kmp-* package.

Additional Information

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.