Ethernet Issue in Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing issues with Ethernet connectivity on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. Specifically, the problem manifests as the system only recognizing one Ethernet interface (eth0) instead of the expected three (eth0, eth1, eth2) after a recent software update or configuration change.

The issue occurs during the setup and configuration of additional Ethernet devices, particularly when integrating a Realtek Ethernet 2.5G adapter. Users have reported that despite modifying configuration files, the additional Ethernet interfaces do not appear as expected.

Symptoms:

• Only one Ethernet interface is detected instead of three.
• Modification of the defconfig file to enable R8169 and disable R8168 does not yield the desired results.

Context:

• The kernel version being used is 5.10.104.
• The issue arises when users attempt to add new hardware or after updating to a new software release.

Impact:

This problem significantly affects user experience by limiting network connectivity options and functionality, particularly for applications requiring multiple Ethernet interfaces.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The added Realtek 2.5G Ethernet adapter may not be compatible with the current configuration or kernel version.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There might be bugs in the current kernel version or conflicts with existing drivers that prevent multiple Ethernet interfaces from being recognized.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the defconfig file may lead to improper driver loading, resulting in only one Ethernet interface being active.

• Driver Issues: The default driver for onboard Ethernet (r8168) may conflict with the newly added driver (r8169), leading to detection issues.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may inadvertently misconfigure settings that prevent proper detection of all Ethernet interfaces.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Current Kernel Version:

   • Use the command:

     uname -r
     

   • Ensure you are running kernel version 5.10.104 as mentioned.

2. Check Detected PCI Devices:

   • Run:

     lspci -nnv
     

   • Confirm that all expected Ethernet devices are listed.

3. Inspect Current Network Interfaces:

   • Execute:

     ifconfig -a
     

   • Check which interfaces are currently recognized by the system.

4. Modify Configuration File:

   • Edit the defconfig file to ensure R8169 is set to ‘y’ and R8168 is set to ‘n’. This can be done using a text editor:

     nano /path/to/defconfig
     

   • Save changes and exit.

5. Upgrade Software Release:

   • Upgrade to release version rel-35.4.1 as it uses r8168 driver for onboard Ethernet by default, which may resolve detection issues.
   • Follow upgrade instructions specific to your setup.

6. Test with Different Hardware Configurations:

   • Remove any additional network adapters and check if the onboard Ethernet interfaces are recognized correctly.
   • Re-add devices one at a time to isolate which device may be causing issues.

7. Examine System Logs for Errors:

   • Use dmesg to check for any relevant error messages related to network interfaces:

     sudo dmesg | grep r816
     

8. Reboot System:

   • After making changes, reboot the system to ensure all configurations are applied correctly.

Recommended Approach

Upgrading to rel-35.4.1 has been highlighted by multiple users as a successful solution for resolving Ethernet detection issues on the Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.

Best Practices for Prevention

• Regularly update software and firmware to ensure compatibility with new hardware.
• Maintain backups of configuration files before making changes.
• Consult official Nvidia documentation for best practices regarding hardware integration on Jetson devices.

Unresolved Aspects

Further investigation may be required if issues persist after following these steps, particularly regarding compatibility between specific hardware components and kernel versions.