N100 box crashes on 24.1.6

[meyergru]

You cannot avoid DDR5 once you have a box that only supports only that, even if the CPU theoretically supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The SO-DIMM sockets are different for DDR4.

Some workloads cannot be simulated by a memtest and you are not guaranteed to find a bug, but if you do, you will be certain. You would probably have the test run for a long time. I would simply exchange the RAM for a different brand, as I said.

Also, have you checked this post? Do you happen to have such a power supply?

[Seimus]

You cannot avoid DDR5 once you have a box that only supports only that, even if the CPU theoretically supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The SO-DIMM sockets are different for DDR4.

You are right. That statement was ment general, if you buy a knockoff rather focus to get one that doesnt have DDR5. As the Aliexpress knockoffs are already a bit risky and you never know, how it will perform, how the temps will be, etc.

At least personally before I bought the N5105 TOPTOP I did like for a week browse servethehome forums to get peoples feedback and some recommendations for the unit and the memory.

Regards,
S.

[meyergru]

Correct. The N5105 uses DDR4, I have one, too. Generally speaking, the Alderlake generation (like N100) has multiple issues:

1. They absolutely need micorcode updates for stability.
2. They are picky about RAM.
3. They make fluctuating loads and thus weak/cheap PSUs like the ones provided by many chinese manufacturers cause instability problems as well.

I just got a Minisforum MS-01. Sure, it is overkill, but it is available right now at a discount for the Intel 12600H CPU, which is plenty even for a 10 Gbps OpnSense firewall. In that case, the quality of the PSU is very good, but you still need the microcode updates.

[_drs_opn]

Thank you all for your replies.

I am having a 60W AcBel PSU. I ran memtest86 once and it showed 4 errors after some minutes. I restarted and retested, so far no error. I will leave it running during the night and see.

I also ordered new RAM from Corsair CMSX16GX5M1A4800C40.

I will have to look around for a new PSU.

[leaplae]

For what it's worth...
I started having crashes (similar to the early ones in this thread) on a CWWK P5 on N100, after updating to OPNsense 24.1.6. However, I ran a memtest on the Crucial 16GB DDR5 4800 CL40, and after the 4 hours had a few errors.

I've RMA'ed that memory, and I'm now running a Samsung 8GB DDR5 4800Mhz, with no issues thus far (been about a week). The Samsung memory also had no errors in memtest.

[_drs_opn]

Update from my end. The Corsair memory won't even let the machine boot. My last attempt was than to order also Samsung memory. After almost 6 hours (4 passes) of memtest it didn't found any errors. So now my N100 is running on OpnSense.

I assume (and hope) it will be rock solid now. Thank you all for your hints and tips. :)

[FWP]

Make sure you read up on how to install the latest Intel microcode to make it behave.


Cheers,
Franco

I don't suppose you have a link to this HowTo, do you? Because Teh Goog just throws a lot of old and irrelevant junk at me. I have a new Topton n100 that's working fine, but at some point I'm going to need to update the microcode.

[meyergru]

Look at the tutorial section: https://forum.opnsense.org/index.php?topic=36139.0