# Link Integrity

These counters reflect errors in the Physical (PHY) and Link Layers, as well as errors in firmware. In some cases, these errors are benign and can be ignored. However in other cases, excessive link integrity errors can indicate a hardware problem such as a poor connection, marginal cable, incorrect length/model cable for signal rate, or damaged/broken hardware, such as bad connectors.

When a bad packet is detected, one of these counters is incremented and the Link Layer may either discard or replay the packet.

During the link training sequence, assorted errors may be observed. This is a normal part of the link training and clock synchronization process. Hence, errors observed as part of rebooting nodes or moving cables should not be considered a problem.

The category is calculated as a weighted sum of the counters in the group. With the exception of ExcessiveBufferOverrunErrors, the counters in this group report on the receive side of the link. However, the counter can indicate a problem on either side of the link.