Edgerouter ER-4 a bit disappointed

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Edgerouter ER-4 a bit disappointed

olivernz

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#248112 10-Mar-2019 21:54

So, I had a bit of a journey with an OpnSense install and my VLAN setup (still ongoing). Mostly to my personal lack of networking know how.

After a week I got so frustrated I just bought an EdgeRouter ER-4. Everyone and their dog saying they are the best bang for buck. I have a Gig fibre and apparently this thing just works.

Well... While it is a pretty sexy box and the UI is marvelously slick and it is impressive. Two things are killer features.

A)My OpnSense box (admittedly easily outpowering the ER-4) gets about 100mbit more downstream and 200mbit more up (ER-4 maxxed out at about 720/280, where the OS box did 870/510)!! That's nothing to sneeze at. Especially the up, which is why I have that link in the 1st place. And then, killer #2 (which I missed before buying), the LAGG support is well...only really theoretical.

I did try a lot of settings and googling but no avail. Also the same issues as with OpnSense appeared so it wasn't that. I hope I can return the ER-4 on Monday otherwise there will be one going here. Still a good box but you can have more for less I guess. Just thought I'd share. I'd definitely go for it for lower rates but then probably a smaller ER would do the job too.

michaelmurfy

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#2195362 10-Mar-2019 22:29

This sounds like you have not got Offloading enabled (or are using a feature that disables it) on the Edgerouter 4. I am running one, and can get full line speed no problems:

This is on the EdgeOS v2.0.0 firmware. Post the output of "show ubnt offload".

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Dynamic

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#2195366 10-Mar-2019 22:44

Have a look here, if you have not already done so. https://help.ubnt.com/hc/en-us/articles/115006567467-EdgeRouter-Hardware-Offloading

Also, try removing/disabling the majority of your firewall rules (of course leaving NAT in place) and see if that makes a difference.

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dfnt

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#2195368 10-Mar-2019 22:48

ER4 here, no complaints

olivernz

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#2195472 11-Mar-2019 07:30

Yes, offloading is activated and bar general block rule no firewall rules in place. As I said I would have expected what you guys see.

michaelmurfy

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#2195700 11-Mar-2019 11:05

olivernz: Yes, offloading is activated and bar general block rule no firewall rules in place. As I said I would have expected what you guys see.

As I believe you're on 2degrees:

1508 MTU - ONT Ethernet Interface.
1508 MTU - VLAN Interface.
1500 MTU - PPPoE Dialer.

Ensure you don't have TCP MSS clamping enabled. Also my offloading has the following enabled:

IP offload module : loaded
IPv4
forwarding: enabled
vlan : enabled
pppoe : enabled
gre : disabled
bonding : disabled
IPv6
forwarding: enabled
vlan : enabled
pppoe : disabled
bonding : disabled

IPSec offload module: loaded

Traffic Analysis :
export : enabled
dpi : enabled
version : 1.422

You didn't happen to set it up with Bridging enabled by any chance? There are a few things that disable offloading (see the link above).

Aredwood

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#2195791 11-Mar-2019 12:40

Check the CPU load on the Edgerouter while doing a speedtest. If it goes to 100% or close to it, then you have done something that is causing offloading to be disabled.

Although I dont own an Edgerouter 4, I do have an Edgerouter Lite. And CPU load is only around 30% or so during a gigabit speedtest.

Firstclass

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#2196191 12-Mar-2019 02:16

I had a bad run initially with the Edgerouter 4.
First I had a faulty ONT LAN 1 port(not an ER issue), then I was not overly impressed with the version 2.0 firmware.
I find the latest stable 1. mainline firmware much more robust, 1.10.9 was installed today.

https://www.ui.com/download/edgemax/edgerouter-4

Now as for my 2degrees connection, I get around 935Mbit/s down and 400 up, as per my plan.
This is with hardware offload enabled.
This is with a few firewall rules.
This is with DPI enabled.
This is with QOS *disabled*, as soon as I enable FQ_CODEL, SFQ, PFIFO or any QOS my speed drops back to half of the above if that. PFIFO was the worst performance wise.

If I would do it again I would probably do PFSense.

Early days for a conclusion but 1 year warranty for an ER4 at $350 retail, I do not know, looks borderline to me.
But as for your question, the ER4 can do wire speed no problem
In fact, I would go as far as you would not even need a network switch, when I tested it without it using the bridge, it delivered wire speed just fine.
Now it is plugged into a Netgear GS105 and that small switch is impressive, does 940Mbit all day long.

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olivernz

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#2196495 12-Mar-2019 12:48

Hi all,

Thanks for that. Probably missed something in the config. HW offload was properly enabled (was on 1.10.9).

Anyway managed to give it back an am back on my OpnSense. Since I had the same issues with both it must be something downstream. I have the HW anyway so why spend the extra money. Especially since OpnSense doesn't have any issues with my LAGG LACP connection to the switch.

And yes, no private household will ever need that firepower but I am trying to learn as it peripherally aids me at my work.

Thanks for the support! And I wouldn't knock the product especially since everyone but me is managing (common factor in the problem here is me ;-)

Cheers Oliver

iamsammajor

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#2196497 12-Mar-2019 12:56

Just out of curious, where did you get yours from?