Workaround for flashing external SPI flash connected with Intel i210 ethernet controller over SPI interface.

[NK89]

Hi Team,

I am working on iMX8MQ based custom board and I am facing the issue when I flash the firmware to the external NVM flash over SPI using the i210.

The i210 controller successfully detected over the PCIe interface.

root@imx8mqpicoitx:~# lspci

00:00.0 PCI bridge: Synopsys, Inc. Device abcd (rev 01)

01:00.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation Device 1531 (rev 03)

Now, when I have going to dump content or flash firmware into external SPI flash using EepromAcessTool and it is getting stuck.

Logs attached as below.

root@imx8mqpicoitx:~/i210-flash-utility/eepromaccesstool-0-7-7# ./EepromAccessTool

Intel(R) EEPROM Access Tool NVM/OTP Programming Example Tool Version 0.7.7

Provided under the terms of a CNDA. Do Not Distribute.

Copyright(C) 2017-2018 by Intel(R) Corporation

NIC BUS DEV FUN Silicon Memory Type Present

=== === === === ===== ======================

Check Command open to write error

1 1 0 0 I210 INVM+FLASH

root@imx8mqpicoitx:~/i210-flash-utility/eepromaccesstool-0-7-7# ./EepromAccessTool -NIC=1 -dump

Intel(R) EEPROM Access Tool NVM/OTP Programming Example Tool Version 0.7.7

Provided under the terms of a CNDA. Do Not Distribute.

Copyright(C) 2017-2018 by Intel(R) Corporation

Check Command open to write error

Found an NVM

^C

root@imx8mqpicoitx:~/i210-flash-utility/eepromaccesstool-0-7-7#

Can you please provide more information on this issue or another utility to flash external SPI flash on ARM architecture based board.

I have referred below links which are related this but got nothing important.

https://forums.intel.com/s/question/0D50P00004905vxSAA/program-i210at-with-external-flash?language=en_US

https://forums.intel.com/s/question/0D70P0000068EHASA2/intel-i211-eeprom-tool-for-arm?language=en_US

Let me know if you require more information from my side.

Best regards,

Nirmal

[Mike_Intel]

Hello NK89,

Thank you for posting in Intel Ethernet Communities. 

Before we proceed, let me clarify the following information.

1. Are you using an on-board NIC?
2. Are you designing a board with embedded i210 NIC?

If you still have questions, please let us know.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technicians

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[NK89]

Hello MikeL_Intel,

Thanks for quick response.

We chip down Intel i210 controller chip set with external SPI flash on our board on PCIe interface.

I have attached picture of schematic design for your reference.

Best regards,

Nirmal

[Mike_Intel]

Hello NK89,

Base on your inquiry, we have specific forum for these issues and I will be transferring this thread for faster response. 

If you still have questions, please let us know.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technicians

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[CarlosAM_INTEL]

Hello, @NK89​:

Thank you for contacting Intel Embedded Community.

Could you please clarify that the affected units fulfill the workaround that answer the 23th question, on page 9 of the Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I210/I211 Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs] document # 335346?

This document can be found at:

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/faqs/ethernet-controller-i210-i211-faq.pdf

We are waiting for your clarification.

Best regards,

@Mæcenas_INTEL​.

[NK89]

Hello Maecenas_INTEL,

Thanks for your quick response.

We fulfilled the workaround as mentioned in the 23th question, on page 9 of the Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I210/I211 Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs] document # 335346.

• We have used same power source for i210 controller & SPI flash.
• We keep pin number 12 pull down to disable security feature.

You can see it from schematic file attached in previous response.

Still, we are facing issue while flashing firmware in SPI flash & device ID remains same 1531 (in unprogrammed state).

Let me know if you require more information from my side.

Best regards,

Nirmal

[CarlosAM_INTEL]

Hello, @NK89​:

Thanks for your update.

Could you please list the sources that you used to develop the affected design and if it has been verified by Intel?

We are waiting for your clarification.

Best regards,

@Mæcenas_INTEL​.

[NK89]

Hello Maecenas_INTEL,

Thanks for your response.

To develop our design we used below sources.

• I210 controller datasheet.
• Reference design schematic from this link : https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/embedded/products/networking/i210-is-reference-design-schematic.html

This design is not verified by Intel.

Let me know if you require any document or anything for design verification.

Best regards,

Nirmal

[CarlosAM_INTEL]

Hello, @NK89​:

We suggest that your design should be verified by Intel. Please follow the procedure stated at the following website:

https://edc.intel.com/Tools/Design-Review/Default.aspx

Best regards,

@Mæcenas_INTEL​.

[NK89]

Hi Maecenas,

We followed the procedure shown on the above website for design verification request.

We are able to upload the Schematic PDF version.

Our PCB board is designed in Altium designer software. We are unable to upload the board design file. Hence not able to complete the request. The board design upload is mandatory.

Can you please check any other option to verify the design? Through email contact or any other way...

Thanks.

[CarlosAM_INTEL]

Hello, @NK89​:

Thanks for your update.

Please review as a reference the information stated in the following website:

https://www.altium.com/documentation/15.1/display/ADES/WorkspaceManager_Cmd-ExportToPDF((ExportToPDF))_AD

Best regards,

@Mæcenas_INTEL​.

[NK89]

Hi Maecenas,

We have tested the PCIe based external i210 controller module on our board and it works fine.

We replaced the SPI flash of our board with per-programmed SPI flash of module and the on board i210 controller starts to work.

So, there is no issue with hardware design and driver is also works.

Now, we faced only issue for SPI flash programming.

Is it possible to flash it on ARM board or for that x86 platform must required?

Best regards,

Nirmal

[CarlosAM_INTEL]

Hello, @NK89​:

Thanks for your reply.

Reviewing all your communications, it is unclear the ARM CPU related to this situation. Could you please clarify this information in a detailed way?

We are waiting for your update.

Best regards,

@Mæcenas_INTEL​.

[NK89]

Hello Maecenas,

Now, we are able to flash the external SPI flash and after board reboot i210 controller works.

Thank you so much for your support.

Best regards,

Nirmal