topic Re: Network Drops. in Intel vPro® Platform

Network Drops.

idata — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:37:21 GMT

HP desktop Dc7800 with VMware workstation installed.

When we are running images in vmware with AMT bios enabled, we receive sporatic network drops in the VM image.

Re: Network Drops.

idata — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:58:04 GMT

Hello,

I doubt that this would be directly related to the vPro chipset, although I won't rule it out either. Let's start with some basics ... do you have the VMware Tools installed on the VMware guest operating system? What are your host & guest operating systems?

Trevor Sullivan

Systems Engineer

OfficeMax Corporation

Re: Network Drops.

Terry_C_Intel — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:22:45 GMT

Is Intel AMT configured on the unit? (SMB or Enterprise mode)

Is there an interval to the disconnects being observed?

On the HP system - any security features on the local host OS (open which VMware is running) to note? (Windows Firewall, HP security manager, other)

Please submit following data:

HP BIOS rev
Intel AMT firmware rev
configuration state of Intel AMT firmwar

There's a handy utility - AMTSCAN - that will quickly capture this and related information. Information on the utility is available at http://communities.intel.com/docs/DOC-2062 http://communities.intel.com/docs/DOC-2062

Re: Network Drops.

Brian_Cockrell — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:54:53 GMT

Are you on the latest version of the AMT firmware from HP? Try updating your AMT firmware to the latest version available from HP.

The following is a link to the 3.2.2.1033 AMT version from HP.

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=12454&prodSeriesId=3459241&prodNameId=3459245&swEnvOID=2096&swLang=13&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=vc-66385-1 http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=12454&prodSeriesId=3459241&prodNameId=3459245&swEnvOID=2096&swLang=13&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=vc-66385-1

Re: Network Drops.

idata — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:19:02 GMT

VMware tools installed = yes

VMware guest OS = Windows 2000

Host OS = Windows Vista

Re: Network Drops.

idata — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:21:16 GMT

Is Intel AMT configured on the unit? = SMB

Is there an interval to the disconnects being observed? = Random

On the HP system - any security features on the local host OS (open which VMware is running) to note? = Symantec Client Security

Please submit following data:

HP BIOS rev
Intel AMT firmware rev
configuration state of Intel AMT firmwar

>>There's a handy utility - AMTSCAN - that will quickly capture this and related information. Information on the utility is available at >>http://communities.intel.com/docs/DOC-2062 http://communities.intel.com/docs/DOC-2062 -

Could not get utiltiy to work. Please assist.

Re: Network Drops.

idata — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:24:27 GMT

Went into the bios, here is some info

System Bios = 786F1 v0.126

ME firmware version = 3.0.1.1104

Went into the AMT Bios

Intel Management Engine Bios Extension version is showing 3.0.2.0004

Question - why is there a difference in the ME firmware versions?

Re: Network Drops.

Brian_Cockrell — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:04:40 GMT

The MEBx or Mangement Engine BIOS extension is the framework or interface to the ME. The ME is the actual execution code.

Upgrading your ME firmware may resolve your network drop issue.

Re: Network Drops.

Terry_C_Intel — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:44:15 GMT

The latest Intel AMT firmware version for that platform is at 3.2.2 - at the link shown by Brian above.

When you do the HP BIOS update - there's a separate process for updating the Intel AMT firmware. This is how HP chose to implement the firmware update packages.

Re: Network Drops.

idata — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:13:06 GMT

I have similar problem to a windows xp guest and following is how I resolved the problem:

Issue before:

Guest network adaptor using NAT

Network drops from time to time

Fix:

Guest network adaptor using Bridge (but VPN not work until I do following step)

Host go to Network Connections and open the properties for "VMware Network Adapter VMnet1"

Make sure the "VMware Bridge Protocol" is checked

After the fix, the network have not drop so far. Hope this help.