I recently had a problem connecting to my unRAID server after starting it up - I couldn't get a network connection.  I tried numerous things to troubleshoot, including power cycle, reboot, checking the bios, trying another LAN cable, connecting to a different port on the same switch, to a different switch, directly to the router.

 

All the while, I was thinking this happened to me before and I couldn't remember what I did to fix it.  I finally remembered (after reading about someone with a similar problem on another forum) that I needed to unplug the power supply (server is connected to a UPS) and then plug it back in.

 

My motherboard is an Asus M4A785-M with the Realtek 8112L Gigabit LAN chip.

 

Here is a post from someone who had a similar problem with the Biostar A760M2+ (Realtek LAN chip), who got it to work after inserting the network cable after booting:  http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=19225.msg175684#msg175684

 

I've also had a problem connecting with my test server which has the Supermicro X9SCM-F-O.  I tried to connect repeatedly on LAN2, which according to this (Use LAN1 For ESXi, LAN2 is for baremetal unRAID) is correct, but I couldn't get an IP address assigned and it wasn't showing on the device list on my router.  I finally got it working with LAN1 and then later couldn't connect after a reboot and had to power down the server and restart.

 

Are others seeing this same problem especially with the Realtek chip?

 

At least this will hopefully help others who are having problems connecting and hopefully help me remember the fix.

I never did try to reboot my server without the ethernet cable connected, and to hook up the ethernet cable back after the server has booted.  Good to know.

 

 

My motherboard is an Asus M4A785-M with the Realtek 8112L Gigabit LAN chip.

 

I've also had a problem connecting with my test server which has the Supermicro X9SCM-F-O.  I tried to connect repeatedly on LAN2, which according to this (Use LAN1 For ESXi, LAN2 is for baremetal unRAID) is correct, but I couldn't get an IP address assigned and it wasn't showing on the device list on my router.  I finally got it working with LAN1 and then later couldn't connect after a reboot and had to power down the server and restart.

 

That was for Ver 5Beta4 or better. for 4.7 you use LAN1 if i recall.

the different nics on the X9SCM use different drivers.  depending on what Version of unraid you boot depends on what one loads first.

 

I used to have an older EVGA mobo that refused to auto negotiate the NIC speed if it was plugged in when booting. I had to boot then plug it in for 1GB. needless to say, I returned that board right away.

 

That was for Ver 5Beta4 or better. for 4.7 you use LAN1 if i recall.

the different nics on the X9SCM use different drivers.  depending on what Version of unraid you boot depends on what one loads first.

 

I used to have an older EVGA mobo that refused to auto negotiate the NIC speed if it was plugged in when booting. I had to boot then plug it in for 1GB. needless to say, I returned that board right away.

 

OK, that makes sense, 'cause I thought I had used LAN2 previously and it worked.  Now I remember that that was with v5b14.

 

This "problem" has caused many hours of frustration.