I350 support hot swap of sfp module

[thaulino]

Dear community, 

we have a design which uses a i350AM4 as ethernet controller. 
It is connected to the main processor via pci. 

The interfaces 1 and 2 are used with the internal 1000base-T  Phy. 
The interface/ pci function 0 shall work with or without an external phy ( 1000Base-T or -X)
depending on the plugged in sfp

The driver used is: 
Intel(R) Gigabit Ethernet Linux Driver - version 5.13.16 
The version provided by intel at sourceforge. 
https://sourceforge.net/projects/e1000/

The interfaces 1 and 2 are working well. 

The interface 0 does not detect any changes regarding the sfp. 
If no sfp is connected at probe time -> the interface cannot be brought up even if a sfp is inserted later. If i change the sfp type eg from -T to -X -> sending / receiving fails too.
Currently, the configuration (sfp inserted) must be correct at probe time and cannot be changed after.
 
I know that some pins of the i350 should be used to detect the presence of a sfp (SDPx_0 - SDPx_3), at least the manual mentions that. I guess that i have to customize the driver somehow in order to reinitialize the interface if a sfp is plugged in. 

Does any reference exists ?
Which functions should be called to put the device savely down if a sfp module is removed ? Which functions should be called if  a insertion of a sfp module is detected ? 

Thanks in advance 

kind regards

[B_Y]

Hi Thaulino,

Thank you for posting in Intel Ethernet Communities.

We need to gather some information so we can provide you recommendations.

- When does this issue happen? Is this the first time configuration?

- Is there any changes to hardware or software?

- May I know your OS and build version? Possibly updating to a latest linux version?

- What is your system model and configuration, possible to share your system log with us?

- Please refer to following article to troubleshoot Intel® Network Adapter Port down Issue:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000087329.html

Looking forward to your response. Should we not get your reply, we will follow up with you after 2 business days.

Best regards,

BY_Intel

Intel Customer Support

[thaulino]

Hi BY_Intel, 

Thanks for your response. 

Regarding your questions: 

> When does this issue happen? Is this the first time configuration?

This issue happens

  + if a sfp is not inserted while the device is probed by the driver.  If i insert a sfp later, it is not recognized by the driver.

  + the sfp type is changed (system started with Base-T and changed to base-X )

>  Is this the first time configuration? 

I don't know what you mean by that. I guess it is not  aplicable for cutom boards.

> Is there any changes to hardware or software?
Well, it is a custom board with the intel linux driver. Unfortunately I cannot share the schematic, but the network interfaces are functional under certain circumstances. (sfp connected at probe time)

> May I know your OS and build version?

linux, kernel version 5.10.179

> What is your system model and configuration, possible to share your system log with us?

I can do that, but i first would like to know, if the feature "hot swap of sfp module" is supported by the driver. 

[B_Y]

Hi Thaulino,

Thank you for sharing the information. Please allow 1-3 business days for us to check internally and get back to you.

Best regards,

BY_Intel

Intel Customer Support

[B_Y]

Hi Thaulino,

Thank you for your patience. After further checking and some validations, we have been informed that the driver will handle swapping media types.

Since this is related to a custom HW design issue, it will need to go through IPS or the Embedded Communities for help with that. Design issues are out of scope for Intel Ethernet Communities.

Link to Embedded Communities: https://community.intel.com/t5/Embedded-Products/ct-p/embedded-products

May I suggest you to consider reaching out Intel Development Zone or Intel Premier Support(IPS) since this inquiry more on deployment and development:  

Intel RDC/Intel DevZone account:

How to Apply for an Intel® Resource and Documentation Center (RDC) and/or Intel® Developer Zone (Intel® DevZone) Account:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000058073/programs/resource-and-documentation-center.html

Best regards,

BY_Intel

Intel Customer Support

[thaulino]

Hi BY_Intel,

Thank you for doing investigations and point me towards the correct forum. 

I will give it a try 

kind regards 
thaulino