Ubuntu 13.04 on Mac Mini 6,2 ethernet port Broadcom NetXtreme BCM57766 not detected

Question

The said network adapter is not recognized in 13.04. In 12.04 and 12.10 I had used the driver proposed from broadcom download site, configured as dkms package it was always updated. On the 3.8.x kernels this provided kernel driver from broadcom does not compile anymore - and the distribution provided tg3 drivers does not recognize the ethernet adapter - even though it is a newer version.

~$ modinfo /lib/modules/3.8.0-19 generic/kernel/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/tg3.ko | grep -i version
version:        3.128
srcversion:     D737202366709FE01964BF0
vermagic:       3.8.0-19-generic SMP mod_unload modversions 

Here the working version on kernel 3.5.x using dkms

~$ modinfo /lib/modules/3.5.0-25-generic/updates/dkms/tg3.ko | grep version
version:        3.124c
srcversion:     D01ED9A7BF2C3956E212A63
vermagic:       3.5.0-25-generic SMP mod_unload modversions 

The Network card:

~$ lspci -nn | grep 0200
01:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM57766 Gigabit Ethernet PCIe [14e4:1686] (rev 01)

As found on the i7 Mac Mini 6,2.

Anyone knows where I can get a kernel that recognizes that ethernet device ? That chip is supported somehow ... And - the 3.8.x kernel is way better on the HD4000 chip - reason I use it.

Note - to get the WiFi working, just make sure you load the b43 driver at boot (/etc/modules). At least then you have Network connectivity.

Solution 1

This bug has been fixed with kernel 3.8.0-22.33 - mac-mini now recognizes this chip with the stock kernel from ubuntu without recompile:

smurphy@Pandora:~$ uname -a
Linux Pandora 3.8.0-22-generic #33-Ubuntu SMP Thu May 16 15:17:14 UTC 2013 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
smurphy@Pandora:~$ lspci | grep -iethernet
01:00.0 Ethernet controller: Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM57766 Gigabit Ethernet PCIe (rev 01)
smurphy@Pandora:~$ 

After a fresh installation make sure you tell the installer to also install the latest updates, and this will fix this issue as if it never existed. Apparently there was a regression introduced in 3.8.0-20...

Solution 2

OK - after rebuilding the kernel as per https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/BuildYourOwnKernel>https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/BuildYourOwnKernel and prior build run, adapting the tg3.c file as per previous message, the Network card is detected and running fine now.

[ 5140.908163] tg3.c:v3.128 (December 03, 2012)
[ 5140.921437] tg3 0000:01:00.0: enabling device (0000 -> 0002)
[ 5140.944063] tg3 0000:01:00.0 eth0: Tigon3 [partno(BCM957766a) rev 57766001] (PCI Express) MAC address 10:dd:b1:99:95:2a
[ 5140.944074] tg3 0000:01:00.0 eth0: attached PHY is 57765 (10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet) (WireSpeed[1], EEE[0])
[ 5140.944079] tg3 0000:01:00.0 eth0: RXcsums[1] LinkChgREG[0] MIirq[0] ASF[0] TSOcap[1]
[ 5140.944084] tg3 0000:01:00.0 eth0: dma_rwctrl[00000001] dma_mask[64-bit]
[ 5140.957230] tg3 0000:01:00.0: irq 26 for MSI/MSI-X
[ 5140.957249] tg3 0000:01:00.0: irq 27 for MSI/MSI-X
[ 5140.957263] tg3 0000:01:00.0: irq 28 for MSI/MSI-X
[ 5140.957297] tg3 0000:01:00.0: irq 29 for MSI/MSI-X
[ 5140.957310] tg3 0000:01:00.0: irq 30 for MSI/MSI-X
[ 5141.230492] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): eth0: link is not ready
[ 5141.230964] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): eth0: link is not ready
[ 5144.225216] tg3 0000:01:00.0 eth0: Link is up at 1000 Mbps, full duplex
[ 5144.225224] tg3 0000:01:00.0 eth0: Flow control is on for TX and on for RX
[ 5144.225250] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): eth0: link becomes ready

In case someone neeeds just the tg3.ko driver - let me know. I'll send it by mail. It should load into the normal current kernel:

Linux Pandora 3.8.0-19-generic #30-Ubuntu SMP Wed May 1 16:35:23 UTC 2013 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Comments

[Nelson]

The Ubuntu folks are tracking a bug on this (and have a fix in process): bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1162665

[Jonas]

@Smurfphy: Can you describe how I "load the b43 driver" during the installation process, so I can try your solution on my problem: askubuntu.com/questions/290658/…

[Smurphy]

Manually, it is just a: modprobe b43. During installation process I didn't have to do it though, as I had access through ethernet.

[Jonas]

@Smurphy: Can you describe how you got internet access through ethernet? modprobe b43 results in nothing for me, is there any more command I have to do?

[Smurphy]

I didn't. Had to recompile a driver for the correct version. If I were you, I'd download the newest kernel for Ubuntu on another device, and copy it on your mac mini and install it there.

[Smurphy]

I was just about thinking to recompile the kernel somehow ... Will check it out, and report back.

[Smurphy]

Just tried out the new kernel 3.8.0-21-generic #32-Ubuntu - and this one does not include the Fix. So the recompiling needs to be done again ... So as I'm going to have it, if anyone needs the binary driver drop me a note.

[Smurphy]

As I still didn't find an official bug report on launchpad - I made it official: bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1182868

[user2595943]

Hello please can you describe more precisely the differents steps you accomplished to make finally work the ethernet card on 13.04 on a mac mini? - When I enter the commands you showed here at the beginning of this topic I have the same output messages. - Is there something you would advise for someone have never tried to REbuild kernel (like me) before doing nasty things? - And finally how did you "tweak" your t3g.C file? Indeed i had no problem with a i7 proc version of the mac mini but have many trouble with the i5 proc previous version and moreover the wifi connection is very wea