Looses external connection a couple of times every day

[TomasL]

25.7.7_4amd64
The firewall looses IP on external IF a couple of times every day. A reboot solves the problem.
What I can see in the logs is the following:

2025-11-11T05:12:37Noticedhcp6cdhcp6c_script: EXIT on re1 executing
2025-11-11T05:12:37Noticesyslog-ngsyslog-ng shutting down; version='4.10.2'
2025-11-11T05:12:34Noticekernel<6>[29556] re0: link state changed to DOWN
2025-11-11T05:12:34Noticekernel<6>[29556] re0: watchdog timeout
2025-11-11T05:11:47Noticekernel<6>[29509] re0: link state changed to UP
2025-11-11T05:11:43Noticekernel<6>[29505] re0: link state changed to DOWN
2025-11-11T05:11:43Noticekernel<6>[29505] re0: watchdog timeout
2025-11-11T05:11:37Noticedhclientdhclient-script: Reason PREINIT on re0 executing
2025-11-11T05:11:36Noticeopnsense/usr/local/etc/rc.linkup: DEVD: Ethernet attached event for wan(re0)
2025-11-11T05:11:36Noticekernel<6>[29498] re0: link state changed to UP
2025-11-11T05:11:32Criticaldhclientexiting.
2025-11-11T05:11:32Errordhclientconnection closed
2025-11-11T05:11:32Noticeopnsense/usr/local/etc/rc.linkup: DEVD: Ethernet detached event for wan(re0)
2025-11-11T05:11:32Noticekernel<6>[29494] re0: link state changed to DOWN
2025-11-11T05:11:32Noticekernel<6>[29494] re0: watchdog timeout

[Monviech (Cedrik)]

re0 looks like realtek, get an intel based network card or virtualize the OPNsense to abstract the realtek driver into linux or windows where its more stable.

[meyergru]

Sometimes, using the os-realtek-re plugin (vendor driver) helps, but intel based network cards are the better choice.

[TomasL]

There is no possibility to change NIC,.
The thing is that I have previously used an CENTOS7-based firewall/GW/Router with this MB, without any problems at all.

So, installing this plugin, might resolve the issue?

[Monviech (Cedrik)]

Like I wrote above linux and windows have better realtek drivers than FreeBSD.

The realtek plugin which installs a different driver might help but its also a gamble.

If you want something stable an Intel based NIC is pretty much essential here if you want peace of mind for a long time.

Its just the reality I'm afraid.

[TomasL]

Well, I cannot install any other NICs, there is not enough space in the box, and only one PCI expansion-slot, space for the expansion card ois occupied by the case-fan.
Cabinet is a cut-down 1U chassies, 250 mm deep to fit into a 19inch wall rack.
MB is an Gigabyte N3150 ITX-card

[Giz]

I'm saving my 1 slot for future so right now I picked up some usb3.0->Ethernet https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/best-buy-essentials-usb-3-0-to-ethernet-adapter-be-pa3u6e-c-only-at-best-buy/15643342 for my homelab, not 1 hiccup with them. It could be a qwk and dirty fix for you

[TomasL]

I will se what happens, I have installed the realtek-plugin, so far so good.