Intel QCU on aarch64

[krueger]

Hi,

we are running an ARM-based (aarch64) server with an Intel XL710. To configure a QSFP+ module, we wanted to use Intel QCU, but this only seems to be available for x86 architecture (64 and 32 bit).

How can we use Intel QCU on an aarch64 system? And if this is not possible, what can we use instead?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards.

[Caguicla_Intel]

Hello krueger,

Thank you for posting in Intel Ethernet Communities. 

Please allow us to further check your request. Rest assured that we will give you an update as soon as there is any findings but no later than 2-3 business days.

Hoping for your kind patience. 

Best regards,

Crisselle C.

Intel® Customer Support

[Caguicla_Intel]

Hello krueger,

Thank you for the patience on this matter. 

Please be informed that the QSFP+ Configuration utility is already End of Life. You should be trying to use EPCT. Sharing links below to learn more regarding EPCT.

Ethernet Port Configuration Tool (All Supported OSs)

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19435/ethernet-port-configuration-tool-all-supported-oss.html

Ethernet Port Configuration Tool Overview Video

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/ethernet-port-configuration-tool-video.html

Infographic: Ethernet Port Configuration Tool (EPCT)

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/documents/ethernet-port-configuration-tool-infographic.pdf

Unfortunately, we don't have an ARM version of the EPCT, however there is a UEFI version that may work for you if the board supports UEFI.

The other possibility is to install the card in another system that is supported to change the mode, then install in the arm system.

Feel free to let us know if you have questions or clarifications. 

Looking forward to your reply.

We will follow up after 3 business days in case we don't hear from you.

Best regards,

Crisselle C.

Intel® Customer Support

[krueger]

Hi,

thanks for coming back to me that quick, appreciate it.

I wasn't aware of EPCT and I am going to have a look at the EFI version supplied. However, I am not too much into EFI and I am therefore wondering if the different architecture (x86_64 vs aarch64) will be a problem here as well? Will give it a try...

Could you escalate the wish for an aarch64 version within the relevant department please? In my opinion, aarch64 based servers are obviously not yet that common but at least on the rise. And I would be really happy being able to run my Intel QSFP+ card on that platform as well without constraints.

Thanks & kind regards

[Caguicla_Intel]

Hello krueger,

You're welcome, its a pleasure helping you out on this request.

Thank you as well for your prompt reply. We will forward this to our engineers as per your request and wait for their feedback. 

Rest assured assure that we will give you an update once we heard from them but no later than 2-3 business days. 

Hoping for your kind patience. 

Best regards,

Crisselle C.

Intel® Customer Support

[krueger]

Phew, it's a mess. So I installed the card in a x86_64 server and updated the firmware via nvmupdate64e (version 8.50) to 8.80:

Intel(R) Ethernet NVM Update Tool
NVMUpdate version 1.37.28.0
Copyright(C) 2013 - 2021 Intel Corporation.


WARNING: To avoid damage to your device, do not stop the update or reboot or power off the system during this update.
Inventory in progress. Please wait [..********]


Num Description Ver.(hex) DevId S:B Status
=== ================================== ============ ===== ====== ==============
01) Intel(R) Ethernet Connection (7) n/a(n/a) 15BB 00:000 Not supported
I219-LM
02) Intel(R) Ethernet Converged 8.80(8.50) 1583 00:002 Up to date
Network Adapter XL710-Q2


Tool execution completed with the following status: All operations completed successfully.
Press any key to exit. 

Also, I updated the i40e kernel module to 2.17.15 to get rid of some warnings regarding api version missmatch (or similar):

[ 1.165677] i40e: Intel(R) 40-10 Gigabit Ethernet Connection Network Driver - version 2.17.15
[ 1.165678] i40e: Copyright(c) 2013 - 2021 Intel Corporation.
[ 1.178758] i40e 0000:02:00.0: fw 8.5.67516 api 1.15 nvm 8.50 0x8000b6b6 0.0.0
[ 1.557215] i40e 0000:02:00.0: MAC address: <redacted>
[ 1.557511] i40e 0000:02:00.0: FW LLDP is enabled
[ 1.561918] i40e 0000:02:00.0: PCI-Express: Speed 8.0GT/s Width x4
[ 1.561918] i40e 0000:02:00.0: PCI-Express bandwidth available for this device may be insufficient for optimal performance.
[ 1.561919] i40e 0000:02:00.0: Please move the device to a different PCI-e link with more lanes and/or higher transfer rate.
[ 1.562353] i40e 0000:02:00.0: Features: PF-id[0] VFs: 64 VSIs: 66 QP: 12 RSS FD_ATR FD_SB NTUPLE CloudF DCB VxLAN Geneve NVGRE PTP VEPA
[ 1.575919] i40e 0000:02:00.1: fw 8.5.67516 api 1.15 nvm 8.50 0x8000b6b6 0.0.0
[ 1.974977] i40e 0000:02:00.1: MAC address: <redacted>
[ 1.975271] i40e 0000:02:00.1: FW LLDP is enabled
[ 2.006384] i40e 0000:02:00.1: PCI-Express: Speed 8.0GT/s Width x4
[ 2.006384] i40e 0000:02:00.1: PCI-Express bandwidth available for this device may be insufficient for optimal performance.
[ 2.006385] i40e 0000:02:00.1: Please move the device to a different PCI-e link with more lanes and/or higher transfer rate.
[ 2.006776] i40e 0000:02:00.1: Features: PF-id[1] VFs: 64 VSIs: 66 QP: 12 RSS FD_ATR FD_SB NTUPLE CloudF DCB VxLAN Geneve NVGRE PTP VEPA
[ 2.013365] i40e 0000:02:00.1 enp2s0f1: renamed from eth0
[ 2.048606] i40e 0000:02:00.0 enp2s0f0: renamed from eth1

In the end, even though nvmupdate64e did not complain at all, EPCT exits with the error "Invalid image on the adapter":

Ethernet Port Configuration Tool
EPCT version: v1.37.34.03
Copyright 2019 - 2021 Intel Corporation.

NIC Seg:Bus:Fun Ven-Dev Connector Ports Speed Quads Lanes per PF
=== ============= ========= ========= ===== ======== ====== ============
1) 000:002:00-01 8086-1583 QSFP 2 N/A - -

Warning: Any changes to the port option configuration will require a reboot before the device will function correctly.

Error: Invalid image on the adapter.

I found another thread talking about the difference between OEM and Intel Retail cards. Unfortunately, mine is a Gigabyte CLN4752 for which Gigabyte only offers an i40e version from 2016 (1.3.49) and no qcu or EPCT whatsoever.

How can I proceed from here? Or is this card basically e-waste when it comes to reconfiguring it to 4x10Gbit/s on one port?

Kind regards

[Caguicla_Intel]

Hello krueger,

Thank you for the patience on this request and we are sorry to hear that there is no success on EPCT.

Please be informed that we already passed down your feedback to engineering however we cannot guarantee if it there are any plans to be implemented on aarch64.

Regarding the ECPT issue, we understand that you are now aware about difference between OEM and Intel Retail cards and we'd like to set your expectation that we have a limited support on this one. You may also consider contacting Gigabyte support to seek assistance regarding this query. But don't worry as we will still do our very best to help you. 

List of System Manufacturers

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/contact-intel.html?tab=system-manufacturers

Please allow us to re-escalate this to our engineers for further checking. Rest assured that we will give you an update as soon as possible but no later than 2-3 business days. 

Hoping for your kind understanding. 

Best regards,

Crisselle C.

Intel® Customer Support 

[Caguicla_Intel]

Hello krueger,

Apologies for the delay. 

Unfortunately, we have limited support and it is best to contact Gigabyte. We understand that this is an Original Equipment Manufacturer(OEM) Ethernet adapter. For OEM version of Ethernet adapters, it would be best if you can get in touch with Gigabyte for further support since they have customized drivers, firmware and software to enable or alter features on your card. They are in best position where you can seek assistance so you don’t lose features or customizations of the Ethernet adapter.

Please also be informed that we will now close this request. If you need any additional information or assistance, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Thank you for your kind understanding and stay safe!

Best regards,

Crisselle C.

Intel® Customer Support