[Discuss-gnuradio] Intel 82574L driver issue

[Marcus D. Leech]

I've recently stumbled across an issue that affects 1GiGe NICs based on 
the 82574L Intel chip.  The e1000e driver version 1.0.2 has an
  issue with the RX FIFO that can cause packet loss, even under 
relatively light load.  This will cause unexpected under-run conditions
  in Gnu Radio applications talking to GiGe radio hardware, such as 
USRP2, N2XX.  The offending driver appeared in Linux kernel
  versions 2.6.31 through 2.6.35, but was later fixed.  Ubuntu Maverick 
(10.10) has a 2.6.35 kernel, so the offending e1000e driver
  is in there, and Fedora 12 (2.6.31)  and Fedora 14 (2.6.35) have the 
same issue.

The best thing to do is likely to follow your Linux distributions 
guidelines for building/installing a new kernel that is 2.6.36 or newer, or
  try a different 1GiGe card that isn't based on the 82574L and the 
e1000e driver.