Intel Ethernet Connection X722 LOM, dcbx and ESXi 6.5

[ljogi]

My Environment:

Server: Fujitsu PRIMERGY RX2530 M4

Ethernet Adapters: Intel Ethernet Connection X722 LOM (Two SFP+ ports)

Ethernet Adapters Firmware: 3.51

--

ESXi: 6.5 U2

i40en driver version: 1.5.8

--

Both ethernet ports are connected to Juniper EX4550 Virtual Chassis (Junos version 12.3R9.4).

Switch ports are in trunk mode with native vlan.

--

After server boot up ESXi show only one X722 port which is online and port pass traffic. When I assign vlan tag to this interface (also changing ip addresses) then port is online but no traffic.

By default dcbx protocol is enabled on all switch ports:

set protocols dcbx interface all

I disabled dcbx protocol on ports where ESXi server is connected:

set protocols dcbx interface xe-0/0/15.0 disable

set protocols dcbx interface xe-1/0/15.0 disable

After server reboot ESXi show two X722 ports which are online and vlan tag assignment is working.

Is this the i40en driver problem?

[idata]

Hi Leho,

Thank you for posting in Wired Communities. Just to double check if you have checked with Vmware support about this driver from their website. https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?downloadGroup=DT-ESXI65-INTEL-I40EN-158&productId=614 We will try check in case there is any information to share. Thanks.Thanks,Sharon T

[ljogi]

Hi!

This is the latest version of the i40en driver for ESXi 6.5, and I already use it as I mentioned in the post:

vmkload_mod -s i40en | grep Version

Version: 1.5.8-1OEM.650.0.0.4598673

[idata]

Hi Leho,

Thank you for the information. The driver is from Vmware, have you contacted Vmware support to check with them? Thanks.Regards,Sharon TIntel Customer SupportAgent under contract to Intel

[ljogi]

I have not contacted yet the Vmware support.

Regards

Leho

[idata]

Hi Leho,

Thank you for the update. Please try get in touch with Vmware support as this the driver provided on their support website. We will try to further check also.Thank you.

Regards,

Sharon TIntel Customer SupportAgent under contract to Intel

[ljogi]

Hi!

Vmware support points to the following:

---

One such link for Intel X722 cards is as below. If you would focus on the "Type" column, it says "Partner Async" which means these are partner provided drivers. Even the source code for these drivers is not with VMware.

https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=io&productid=45827&deviceCategory=io&details=1&releases=408&keyword=X722&page=1&display_interval=500&sortColumn=Partner&sortOrder=Asc

---

Regards

Leho

[idata]

Hi Leho,

Thank you for the update. I will have to further check.Regards,Sharon TIntel Customer SupportAgent under contract to Intel

[idata]

Hi Leho,

Please provide below information:1. How did you disable DCBx? Can you provide the steps on how to do that?2. Please provide VMkernel.log file and Server BIOS version number. Looking forward to your reply.Regards,Sharon TIntel Customer SupportAgent under contract to Intel

[ljogi]

Hi!

I disabled dcbx protocol on switch ports where ESXi server is connected:

set protocols dcbx interface xe-0/0/15.0 disable

set protocols dcbx interface xe-1/0/15.0 disable

Server BIOS: V5.0.0.12 - R1.18.0

Regards

Leho

[idata]

Hi Leho,

Thank you for providing the steps and BIOS version, can you also provide the VMkernel.log file?Regards,Sharon TIntel Customer SupportAgent under contract to Intel

[ljogi]

Hi!

vmkernel.log is attached.

Leho

[idata]

HI Leho,

Thank you for the information. We will further check.Regards,Sharon TIntel Customer SupportAgent under contract to Intel

[idata]

Hi Leho,

Our engineering team is checking on this and would like to suggest you to update the NVM image again. After that please power down the server and pull the AC cable out, wait for 1 to 2 minutes. Plug the power back in and power up the server. Please retest and update us the result. Thanks.Regards,Sharon TIntel Customer SupportAgent under contract to Intel

[idata]

Hi Leho,

Please feel free to update us the test result. Please try check with the Vmware support and contact your board vendor for further assistant, as this is onboard NIC, the board vendor might have customized driver for the network card embedded. Thank you.

Regards,

Sharon TIntel Customer SupportAgent under contract to Intel