Bug ID 509782: TSO packets can be dropped with low MTU

Last Modified: Sep 13, 2023

Affected Product(s):
BIG-IP LTM(all modules)

Known Affected Versions:
11.5.1 HF1, 11.5.1 HF2, 11.5.1 HF3, 11.5.1 HF4, 11.5.1 HF5, 11.5.1 HF6, 11.5.1 HF7, 11.5.1 HF8, 11.5.1 HF9, 11.5.1 HF10, 11.5.1 HF11, 11.5.2 HF1, 11.5.3 HF1, 11.6.0, 11.6.1, 11.6.2, 11.6.3, 11.6.3.1, 11.6.3.2, 11.6.3.3, 11.6.3.4, 11.6.4, 11.6.5, 11.6.5.1, 11.6.5.2, 11.6.5.3, 12.1.0 HF1, 12.1.0 HF2, 12.1.1 HF1, 12.1.1 HF2, 12.1.2 HF1, 12.1.2 HF2

Fixed In:
12.0.0, 11.6.0 HF6, 11.5.3 HF2

Opened: Feb 27, 2015

Severity: 3-Major

Related Article: K16780

Symptoms

If an interface is configured with a low MTU, it is possible for the system to drop TSO packets. This can be observed looking at the tx_drop_tso_bigpkt stat in the tmm/hsb_internal_fsc table.

Impact

Large TSO packets are dropped.

Conditions

The interface is configured with a low MTU, usually 750 or lower. If TMM then attempts to use TSO for a packet, there is a chance this packet will be dropped.

Workaround

Increase the MTU or disable TSO. If TSO is not disabled, three related fixes are needed to fully address the issue: -- ID 466260, covered in SOL15953: TMM may produce a core file with the 'Assertion we always have room in tx ring! failed' error message. -- ID 502238, covered in SOL16736: The BIG-IP system may lose connectivity and fail to process all traffic through TMM if the HSB is overloaded. -- ID 509782, covered in SOL16780: The BIG-IP system may drop TSO packets. The Solutions are available here: -- https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/15000/900/sol15953.html -- https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/16000/700/sol16736.html -- https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/16000/700/sol16780.html

Fix Information

Three related fixes are needed to fully address the issue: -- ID 466260, covered in SOL15953: TMM may produce a core file with the 'Assertion we always have room in tx ring! failed' error message. -- ID 502238, covered in SOL16736: The BIG-IP system may lose connectivity and fail to process all traffic through TMM if the HSB is overloaded. -- ID 509782, covered in SOL16780: The BIG-IP system may drop TSO packets. The Solutions are available here: -- https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/15000/900/sol15953.html -- https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/16000/700/sol16736.html -- https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/16000/700/sol16780.html

Behavior Change

Guides & references

K10134038: F5 Bug Tracker Filter Names and Tips