Kernel errors "kernel: NETDEV WATCHDOG: eth0: transmit timed out"

Solution Unverified - Updated -

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5

Issue

  • LDAP server is affected because of these logs are reported in /var/log/messages -
Jan 20 09:18:32 Hostname kernel: NETDEV WATCHDOG: eth0: transmit timed out  
Jan 20 09:18:32 Hostname kernel: eth0: Got tx_timeout. irq: 00000000  
Jan 20 09:18:32 Hostname kernel: eth0: Ring at 13a2000  
Jan 20 09:18:32 Hostname kernel: eth0: Dumping tx registers

Resolution

  • Some times switch faulty ports may cause the issue. Please check the port with known working cable combination.

  • Try turning off tx and rx checksum with following command if that makes any difference.

ethtool -K eth0 tx off
ethtool -K eth0 rx off
  • Duplex mismatch also causes similar kind of issues. Check your duplex settings.
  • Swap the settings between ifcfg-eth0 and ifcfg-ethX to see if this resolves the issue.
  • Update the kernel to the latest one.

Root Cause

  • Root cause is unknown at this stage.

Diagnostic Steps

  • Check system logs.
  • Similar issues fixed in the latest kernel.

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