LinuxQuestions.org - mii-diag:default interface eth0 w/SIOCGMIIREC on eth-0 failed: Input/output error

Our POS System is TPLInux 2.4 ver .06 running on CentOS5.2 for both server and POS workstations. Our server machines are IBM while the POS are Wincor Nixdorf Beetle.

We've been bothered by broken services and network down issues most of the time in our top 6 stores especially in one of our biggest stores.

This usually happens when the POS connects to the server on sign on/off, voiding transactions; when connecting to the server database. What we do currently for workaround is to run a tool provided by the vendor to clear the tables with broken services; afterwhich we reboot. But after awhile, the problem recurs.

We've checked all possible network problems and network equipments but none seem to be the answer. We are now in limbo whether this is a network, hardware, or applications problem or incompatibilities. If so, what? We've also replaced machines so many times.

In one of the problematic stores, there are connection sharing between the POS and the eft in either a mini hub with 10mbps or a 5 port mini switch with 100mbps. I don't know if this is a factor.

Below is the portion of result of the ifconfig:
[root@SMM243a ~]# ifconfig
eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:215E:6A:FF:64
inet addr:10.100.202.254 Bcast:10.100.255.255 Mask:255.255.0.0
inet6 addr: fe80::221:5eff:fe6a:ff64/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:5150398 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:5759767 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:446687229 (425.9 MiB) TX bytes 411178218 (392.1 MiB)
Memory:91a80000-91aa0000

lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1
RX packets:1922985 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:1922985 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:490439549 (467.7 MiB) TX bytes 490439549 (467.7 MiB)

PORTION OF MII-DIAG (SHOWING THE ERROR MESSAGE):

NOW DOING: mii-diag
Using the default interface 'eth0'
SIOCGMIIREC on eth-0 failed: Input/output error
NOW DOING: cat /etc/*release*
NOW DOING: network (netstat -apn)
NOW DOING: arp (arp -a)
NOW DOING: sar (static)

We don't have a Linux expert so we have no idea what is causing all our NETWORK DOWN DILEMMA. Our POS Apps vendor is also clueless as of now but we can't wait any longer. We have to solve this once and for all so please help!.

Thanks - Cathy Cruz