DSM driver for realtek RTL8152/8153/8156/8157/8159 based USB Ethernet adapters

This is a Realtek USB ethernet driver package for Synology NAS devices.

• RTL8152/RTL8153: 1.0Gbps
• RTL8156: 2.5Gbps
• RTL8157: 5Gbps
• RTL8159: 10Gbps
• NOTE: No Synology device supports USB 3.2 Gen2, so you won't be able to get the most out of it.

You might also be interested in my other projects: * AQC111U(5Gbps ethernet) driver package for Synology NASes * UASP(USB Attached SCSI Protocol for external storage devices) driver package for Synology NASes

⚠️WARNING

It has been confirmed that this driver has been modified and repackaged on other websites.

Since this driver works with root privileges, DO NOT USE IT OBTAINED FROM OTHER WEBSITES.

Even if there are no problems now, there is a possibility that malicious code will be added through automatic updates.

If you have installed it, I strongly recommend resetting your Synology system partition.

Supported NAS platform

• DSM 7.x and 6.2
• Almost all models released after 2017.
• Older models may also work, but you might not experience optimal performance.
• Compatibility reports by the community will help you.

You can download the drivers from the release page and determine the appropriate driver for your model from Synology knowledge base,

I would appreciate it if you could let me know whether it works. If you have any problems, the Troubleshooting page may help.

NOTE: I recommend connecting devices using front ports because some users have reported stability issues when using rear ports.

Author's environment

The author uses the following environment daily and it has confirmed that these devices work stably.

Disclaimer: The following product links are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• NAS
• DS918+ (apollolake) with 16GB RAM
• DSM 7.2-64570 Update 3
• Ethernet dongle
  • USB-LAN2500R2 (RTL8156BG, only in Japan.)
• PC
• Ethernet card
  • AQN-107 (discontinued, but almost equivalent to ASUS XG-C100C)
• Windows10 SMB3
• Network switches
• main: QNAP QSW-2104-2T (Broadcom BCM53161: x3 2.5Gbe / x2 10Gbe)
• sub: keepLINK 5 Port 2.5G Switch (Realtek RTL8372: x5 2.5Gbe / x1 10G SFP+)
  • If you are looking for an affordable 2.5Gbe switch, I recommend products using the RTL837x family, which is a newer generation of chips and consumes less power. Many other products are available from many vendors.
• cable: Ubiquiti Networks UC-PATCH Cat6 Cable

Supported devices

See the Compatibility page for the latest information.

• If you have other products not listed and that do not work, please create an issue with the output of lsusb.
• If you use a product with a Type-C connector, you will need a connector or cable to convert it to Type-A.
• For stable device operation, I recommend using a USB 3.2 Gen2 10Gbps compatible cable.
• While a 5Gbps cable is sufficient for this driver to work, a 10Gbps capable cable is expected to offer higher transmission quality.

RTL8156(2.5Gbps) based devices

INFO: Products using RTL8156BG have dramatically lower power consumption (up to a 64% decrease) and generate less heat compared to those using RTL8156.

• ASUSTOR AS-U2.5G (RTL8156/Type-C to A)
• NOTE: The included Type A to C conversion adapter is directional. There is a mark on one side of the USB-C connector that must face the same side as the USB logo on the adapter.
• ASUSTOR AS-U2.5G2 (RTL8156B/Type-C to A)
• NOTE: Same as above.
• CLUB 3D CAC-1420 (RTL8156/Type-A)
• TRENDnet TUC-ET2G (RTL8156(V1.0)/RTL8156BG(V2.0)/Type-C)
• NOTE: Customer support states that RTL8156BG was adopted in V2.0. However, there is no way to distinguish V1.0 from V2.0. Can we assume the new ones to be v2.0?
• ASUS USB-C2500 (RTL8156B/Type-A)
• CableCreation 2.5G Ethernet to USB Adapter (RTL8156/Type-A)
• UGREEN USB C to 2.5G Ethernet Adapter (2019) (RTL8156/Type-C)
• UGREEN USB C to Ethernet Adapter 2.5G (2023) (RTL8156BG/Type-C)
• Anker USB C to 2.5 Gbps Ethernet Adapter (RTL8156/Type-C)
• StarTech.com US2GC30 (RTL8156BG/Type-C)
• Plannex USB-LAN2500R (RTL8156/Type-A, only in Japan.)
• Plannex USB-LAN2500R2 (RTL8156BG/Type-A, only in Japan.)
• Buffalo LUA-U3-A2G (RTL8156/Type-A, only in Japan.)
• biaze KZ13 [ link1 link2 ] (Type-A, only in China)
• ULT-WIIQ USB 2.5G Ethernet Adapter (RTL8156B/Type-A, only in Europe?)

RTL8157(5Gbps) based devices

If you find other products, please let me know.

• WisdPi WP-UT5 [ Amazon AliExpress ] (RTL8157/Type-A and C)
• WAVLINK/WiNSTARS WS-NWU340G (RTL8157/Type-C)

KNOWN ISSUES: * Link speeds are not reported correctly. * Using the beta release driver is required to enable Jumbo Frame.

How to install

Preparation

Enable SSH and log in to your NAS.

Installation

1. Go to "Package Center"
2. Press "Manual Install"
3. Choose a driver package downloaded from the release page.
4. [DSM7] The installation will fail the first time. After that, run the following commands from the SSH terminal:
5. sudo install -m 4755 -o root -D /var/packages/r8152/target/r8152/spk_su /opt/sbin/spk_su
6. sudo chmod a+rx /opt /opt/sbin
7. [DSM7] Retry the installation.
8. You don't need the above DSM7-specific steps at the next time unless /opt/sbin/spk_su is deleted, e.g. if reparing the system partition.
9. Reboot your NAS.
10. This procedure is not usually necessary, but many users have reported that a reboot was necessary, so please reboot just in case.
11. Open the driver package from the Package Center and start the driver manually.
12. Or run the following comannd from the SSH terminal:
    • sudo synosystemctl enable pkgctl-r8152 (DSM 7.x)

https://www.synology.com/en-us/knowledgebase/SRM/help/SRM/PkgManApp/install_buy

Warning: Do not use Safari for this operation.

How to configure

You can configure the IP addresses and MTU of the added NICs from the DSM UI in the same way as the built-in NICs.

Option: I recommend setting the MTU to 9000 and the SMB protocol version to v3 for better performance.

Performance test

Environment

• DS918+ (USB-LAN2500R)
• DSM 6.2
• direct connection to PC (AQN-107: discontinued, but almost equivalent to ASUS XG-C100C)
• native iperf3
  • using Docker causes a high CPU load

Result

Connecting to host 192.168.0.xxx, port 5201
[  4] local 192.168.0.xxx port 50366 connected to 192.168.0.xxx port 5201
[ ID] Interval           Transfer     Bandwidth
[  4]   0.00-1.00   sec   266 MBytes  2.23 Gbits/sec
[  4]   1.00-2.00   sec   274 MBytes  2.30 Gbits/sec
[  4]   2.00-3.00   sec   278 MBytes  2.33 Gbits/sec
[  4]   3.00-4.00   sec   278 MBytes  2.33 Gbits/sec
[  4]   4.00-5.00   sec   278 MBytes  2.33 Gbits/sec
[  4]   5.00-6.00   sec   278 MBytes  2.34 Gbits/sec
[  4]   6.00-7.00   sec   274 MBytes  2.30 Gbits/sec
[  4]   7.00-8.00   sec   267 MBytes  2.24 Gbits/sec
[  4]   8.00-9.00   sec   269 MBytes  2.26 Gbits/sec
[  4]   9.00-10.00  sec   271 MBytes  2.27 Gbits/sec
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[ ID] Interval           Transfer     Bandwidth
[  4]   0.00-10.00  sec  2.67 GBytes  2.29 Gbits/sec                  sender
[  4]   0.00-10.00  sec  2.67 GBytes  2.29 Gbits/sec                  receiver

iperf Done.