Ethernet disruption in clamshell mode

[Behemoth78]

I'm using the M1 Macbook Pro with an EIZO FlexScan EV2795 USB-C docking monitor. While in clamshell mode, i try to copy a 150gb file from my Synology DiskStation over USB-C/Ethernet to the internal disk of the M1. The WiFi is turned off.

All attempts fail because the transfer is disrupted before completion: Sometimes after 3gb, sometimes after 30gb, in less cases more than 100gb are transfered before disruption. And disruption means, that not only the transfer fails, but from that moment on the whole Ethernet connection is gone. I can't even open a page in the browser. To reconnect i have to pull the USB-C and plug it back in.

The most peculiar thing: If i don't close the lid of the M1 (and thereby not using clamshell mode) everything works perfectly, the file is transfered without problems!

Does anyone have the same experience? Or any idea about the cause and how to fix it?

 

[Behemoth78]

I'm not sure anymore if the problem is really limited to clamshell mode. I bought an USB-C-Ethernet-Adapter to take the EIZO monitor (providing ethernet) out of the equation. Using the USB-C-Adapter the ethernet is also disrupted - even with the lid open.

I also changed cables and tried another router: It's always the same: When transfering large files (150gb) from the DiskStation (DS218) to the M1 using SMB, in 8 out of 10 cases, the transfer is disrupted (Error 100060) sooner or later and takes the whole ethernet connection down.

Some larger Time Machine Backups (about 10gb) to the NAS also failed because of this problem and took the ethernet connection down. In everyday use, the SMB-Share is stable for the whole day. I've never encountered this problem when copying small, single files. The problem appears under really high SMB load.

I've even tried to limit the ethernet bandwith with Network Link Conditioner. Perhaps it is a bit more stable, but i've also encountered the disruptions with my gigabit-ethernet throttled to 80% bandwith.

Could anyone please confirm, that the M1 has no general problem copying 150gb with Finder/SMB from a Synology DiskStation to the internal disk over ethernet (not WiFi)? Then i could try to return my M1 and get a replacement.

 

[jdb8167]

I'm not sure anymore if the problem is really limited to clamshell mode. I bought an USB-C-Ethernet-Adapter to take the EIZO monitor (providing ethernet) out of the equation. Using the USB-C-Adapter the ethernet is also disrupted - even with the lid open.

I also changed cables and tried another router: It's always the same: When transfering large files (150gb) from the DiskStation (DS218) to the M1 using SMB, in 8 out of 10 cases, the transfer is disrupted (Error 100060) sooner or later and takes the whole ethernet connection down.

Some larger Time Machine Backups (about 10gb) to the NAS also failed because of this problem and took the ethernet connection down. In everyday use, the SMB-Share is stable for the whole day. I've never encountered this problem when copying small, single files. The problem appears under really high SMB load.

I've even tried to limit the ethernet bandwith with Network Link Conditioner. Perhaps it is a bit more stable, but i've also encountered the disruptions with my gigabit-ethernet throttled to 80% bandwith.

Could anyone please confirm, that the M1 has no general problem copying 150gb with Finder/SMB from a Synology DiskStation to the internal disk over ethernet (not WiFi)? Then i could try to return my M1 and get a replacement.

The error is that Ethernet timed out for some reason. I suspect a configuration problem but I’m not knowledgeable about the NAS. Make sure you are using SMB3. Also check to see if you are using “large MTU”. You’ll have to check your NAS documentation.

 

[kikote]

I did just check it. MacBook Air with M1 chip an 1GB SSD in clamshell mode and Wifi Off.
Ethernet adapter ist attached to my HYPER Thunderbolt 3 adapter.

I just did transfer 126 GB (22 files) from my Sinology DS218+ to the MacBook Air without any problems. I am not using an SMB-Share, i have mounted my drive as an AFP share. During the transfer I have constant transferspeed around 100MB/s.

I am on Big Sur Beta 11.2 and I am also using the Beta OS on the Sinology DS218+...
During the transfer i have been using the computer (iTunes, Mail, Safari...).
The sensor temperature went from 38°C to 54°C during the transfer...

I am also using Time Machine for my daily BackUps since day one and have had zero problems till now. My time machine Backups are also placed in the Synology DS218+.

Best regards
Ricardo

 

[Behemoth78]

@kikote: Thank you very much for testing your M1 with your Sinology DS218+! I tried AFP before myself but it has the same disruptions as SMB.

As my NAS- and Network-Configuration seems ok, i now suspect the Ethernet adapter:

Surprisingly my EIZO FlexScan EV2795 USB-C monitor and my new UGREEN USB-C-Ethernet-Adapter use the same Realtek RTL8153 chipset for ethernet.

And the Realtek RTL8153 had some issues before:

https://gist.github.com/MadLittleMods/3005bb13f7e7178e1eaa9f054cc547b0

I think i'll have to buy another USB-C-Ethernet-Adapter using another chipset to rule this out. May i ask which one you use?

 

[kikote]

@behemoth: I am using the Ethernet interface in my HYPER Gen2 Thunderbolt 3 Dock

HyperDrive GEN2 16-Port Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station

HyperDrive GEN2 Thunderbolt 3 Dock utilizes the latest generation Intel Titan Ridge chipset to deliver the ultimate docking station with the best connectivity and performance to any TB3/USB-C Mac or Windows computer. 16 ports supporting dual 8K+4K or triple 4K video, 40Gbps data transfer & more...

www.hypershop.com

I don´t really know which chipset is being used for the ethernet... Didn´t find it anywhere on the specification.

GEN2 Thunderbolt 3 Hub device specs

Please note: this Hub will work as a USB-C Hub on non Thunderbolt 3 Hubs. TB3 host: Upstream TB3 40Gbps with 85W Power Delivery TB3 host: Downstream TB3 40Gbps, DP1.4, 15W, Daisy chain up to 6 x...

hypershop.zendesk.com

 

[snakes-]

my lan adapter work no timeout must be a hub problem.

 

[Behemoth78]

Just for the record: I’ve done some systematic testing. On my system i have three different setups using ethernet:

1. Open Lid: Ethernet over USB-C EIZO-Display-Hub (Using external display, internal display active, Mac on AC Power)
= It’s 100% reliable! I never had any disruption.

2. Clamshell: Ethernet over USB-C EIZO-Display-Hub (Using external display, Mac on AC Power)
= The transfer fails in >60% of the cases.

3. Open Lid: Ethernet over USB-C UGREEN-Ethernet-Adapter (Using internal display, Mac on Battery or Power Supply)
= The transfer fails in >60% of the cases.

I’m clueless. I especially don’t see a relevant difference between the stable 1. (Open lid) and the unstable 2. (Closed lid)
setup.

Perhaps, when in clamshell-mode, there is some automatic energy saving- or thermal regulation-practice that makes the ethernet adapter (or USB-C?) unstable? I’m just wildly guessing.

It’s eye-catching, in my opinion, that I don’t only lose the SMB or AFP-connection, but the whole ethernet-connection and have to pull the USB-C cable and plug it back in to regain connectivity.

 

[Behemoth78]

Update: Whatever my problem was - it looks like macOS 11.2 Beta 2 fixed it!

 

[Behemoth78]

After a week without any problems, the disruptions are back with macOS 11.2 RC! ☹️

 

[Behemoth78]

This problem was finally solved with MacOS Monterey. ✌️