Re: Re:Intel X550-T2 Authenticity

Keeop · ‎12-16-2023

Hi,

I had a problem with a dodgy card a while back which Irwan helped to identify as a non Intel card.

I have recently purchased yet another X550-T2 card and this one has the Yottamark, which is a good start. The Yottamark validates as OK but the MAC address shown from the Yottmark results is different to the MAC address printed on a separate label on the card.

So, please can someone take a look at the pictures of the card and let me know if I finally have a genuine Intel card or whether I have been fobbed off, yet again, with a fake, albeit a better quality fake!

Thank you.

Keeop

ps and yes, the heatsink is a brown/copper colour rather than black which I wasn't expecting so may be a big giveaway!

Irwan_Intel · ‎12-18-2023

Hello Keeop

Thank you for posting on Intel Ethernet Community.

Based on the Yottamark label attached to the NIC, we unable to trace the code on Yottamark page.

6288 0306 9348 6989 4208 8389 is not a valid code.

If possible, could you please share with us the NIC serial number for further checking.

Regards,

Irwan_Intel

Keeop · ‎12-18-2023

Hi Irwan,

Thanks for your help again. Strange one then as when I scan the QR on the code I am told that it IS a valid number! But, as stated earlier, the MAC addresses don't match. Interestingly, I have an X540 which is the same - says it's a valid Yottamark but the MACs are different. Please see attached screen shot. Is the serial not visible on either of those two original pictures? Can you tell me where to find it then please - is it on the card or do I need to install the card and the Intel software to get the serial number?

Cheers.

Keeop

Irwan_Intel · ‎12-18-2023

Hello keeop,

I'm currently checking further with our Engineering team and will share the update once I have the feedback.

Regards,

Irwan_Intel

Keeop · ‎12-18-2023

Thanks Irwan.

I can't get this one to work at 2.5Gb either - just like the last fake card - so it's not looking too promising.

If there are any other things I can check, please let me know, otherwise I await your findings.

Cheers.

Keeop

Keeop · ‎12-18-2023

Pulled some more info from the NVM util and Powershell....

From NVM:

nvmupdatew64e -i -l inv.log

Inventory

[00:005:00:00]: Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X550-T2

Flash inventory started.

Shadow RAM inventory started.

Shadow RAM inventory finished.

Flash inventory finished.

OROM inventory started.

OROM inventory finished.

[00:005:00:01]: Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X550-T2

Device already inventoried.

[00:005:00:00]: Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X550-T2

Vendor : 8086

Device : 1563

Subvendor : 8086

Subdevice : 0001

Revision : 1

LAN MAC : A0369FE1B734

Alt MAC : A0369FE1B734

SAN MAC : A0369FE1B736

ETrackId : 80000492

SerialNumber : 9FE1B7FFFF340000

NVM Version : 1.00(1.00)

PBA : H86377-005

VPD status : Valid

VPD size : 38

NVM update : No config file entry

checksum : Valid

OROM update : No config file entry

CIVD : 1.1276.0

PXE : 2.3.58, checksum Valid

EFI : 5.1.19, checksum None

[00:005:00:01]: Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X550-T2

Vendor : 8086

Device : 1563

Subvendor : 8086

Subdevice : 0001

Revision : 1

LAN MAC : A0369FE1B735

Alt MAC : A0369FE1B735

SAN MAC : A0369FE1B737

ETrackId : 80000492

SerialNumber : 9FE1B7FFFF340000

NVM Version : 1.00(1.00)

PBA : H86377-005

VPD status : Valid

VPD size : 38

NVM update : No config file entry

checksum : Valid

OROM update : No config file entry

CIVD : 1.1276.0

PXE : 2.3.58, checksum Valid

EFI : 5.1.19, checksum None

From Powershell:

DriverVersion : 3.14.222.0
ETrackID : 0x80000492
NVMVersion : 0x80000492

How does that all look? Think the serial is mentioned in the NVM output but the output from Powershell looks strange. Plus, I can't even see an NVM version 1.0 in the feature matrix - the earliest version listed there is 1.55. Also, the PBA version doesn't match what's stamped on the card itself. I could try and update it but I'd rather not tough this and just send it back if it's another rogue card.

Cheers.

Keeop

Irwan_Intel · ‎12-19-2023

Hello Keeop,

Based on the Engineering update,

It is an older version of the PCB, version -007 as opposed to -011, but everything matches to cards that were made in 2017.

Therefore, this is a valid retail Intel X550-T2 as according to the provided information.

Regards,

Irwan_Intel

Keeop · ‎12-19-2023

Hi Irwan,

Does this still stand based on the additional information I have provided above? i.e. the PBA version not matching; the NVM version; serial number etc.?

If you're still happy about the authenticity then, I will attempt to update the NVM version as I assume this is the reason that I can't get it working at 2.5Gb?

Cheers.

Keeop

Irwan_Intel · ‎12-20-2023

Hello keeop,

The PBA of H86377-005 matches what is on the label in the pictures. PBA is on the label and is the part number for the finished card, PB is embossed on the PCB and is the part number for the PCB.

The MAC address reported by the tool matches the MAC on the label.

Serial number reported is not the full serial number but it matches what is on the label.

The Engineering team confident that this is a valid card.

You could first update the NVM to 1.86, power cycle and validate, then update to the latest version.

Regards,

Irwan_Intel

Keeop · ‎12-20-2023

Thanks Irwan.

Could you possibly paste a link to the NVM 1.86 version please?

Also, are there any downsides to having this older PCB version? Did much change between this one and the later revisions?

Cheers.

Keeop

Irwan_Intel · ‎12-20-2023

Hello keeop,

I'm currently checking further regarding your inquiry.

Link for the NVM : https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19358/28364/non-volatile-memory-nvm-update-utility-for-intel-ethernet-network-adapter-x550-series.html

Regards,

Irwan_Intel

Keeop · ‎12-20-2023

Thanks Irwan.

I couldn't run the 1.86 version but was able to run the 3.60 directly and it says it updated successfully. However, I am still unable to get 2.5Gb working - the usual **bleep** problem. If set to auto-neg on NIC and switch, I get 1Gb. If I set to auto-neg on switch and force 2.5Gb on the NIC, I get 1Gb. If I force 2.5Gb on switch and NIC I get 'cable disconnected'. Nothing but grief with these cards!

Here's the revised output from the NVM tool:

Inventory
[00:005:00:00]: Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X550-T2
Flash inventory started.
Shadow RAM inventory started.
Shadow RAM inventory finished.
Flash inventory finished.
OROM inventory started.
OROM inventory finished.
[00:005:00:01]: Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X550-T2
Device already inventoried.
[00:005:00:00]: Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X550-T2
Vendor : 8086
Device : 1563
Subvendor : 8086
Subdevice : 0001
Revision : 1
LAN MAC : A0369FE1B734
Alt MAC : A0369FE1B734
SAN MAC : A0369FE1B736
ETrackId : 80001731
SerialNumber : 9FE1B7FFFF340000
NVM Version : 3.96(3.60)
PBA : H86377-005
VPD status : Valid
VPD size : 38
NVM update : No config file entry
checksum : Valid
OROM update : No config file entry
CIVD : 1.3105.0
PXE : 2.4.45, checksum Valid
EFI : 8.1.0, checksum None
[00:005:00:01]: Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X550-T2
Vendor : 8086
Device : 1563
Subvendor : 8086
Subdevice : 0001
Revision : 1
LAN MAC : A0369FE1B735
Alt MAC : A0369FE1B735
SAN MAC : A0369FE1B737
ETrackId : 80001731
SerialNumber : 9FE1B7FFFF340000
NVM Version : 3.96(3.60)
PBA : H86377-005
VPD status : Valid
VPD size : 38
NVM update : No config file entry
checksum : Valid
OROM update : No config file entry
CIVD : 1.3105.0
PXE : 2.4.45, checksum Valid
EFI : 8.1.0, checksum None

So, pretty much back to square one on this whole adventure.

Can you please advise on whether this could be anything to do with the NIC itself based on the information provided and any further information I can give you. If there are issues with the NIC, I will just return it and maybe try one more time.

Cheers.

Keeop

Irwan_Intel · ‎12-20-2023

Hello Keeop,

According to PCN in the following link: https://qdms.intel.com/dm/i.aspx/0371F084-D9E9-4773-B9AF-1BD00A646BFC/PCN116167-02.pdf

There were minor changes that should not affect nbase-t functionality.

The proper setup to enable 2.5G is to pick 2.5 on the card and leave the switch at autoneg.

The X550 driver does not advertise 2.5 or 5 when configured for autoneg, when set for 2.5G it will still be using autoneg but will only advertise 2.5G.

Please verify if you are using the latest drivers.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000030131.html

If there are still problems, we would like additional information:

1)OS and version

2)Drivers

3)Switch model

Regards,

Irwan_Intel

Keeop · ‎12-21-2023

Hi Irwan,

Yeah, and when I set the card to 2.5Gb and leave the switch on Auto, I only get 1Gb.

This is currently running on Windows Server 2012.

Drivers are v 28.0.

Switch is Unifi - USW-Enterprise-8-PoE.

I have had no issues with getting 2.5Gb when connecting a desktop with a 2.5Gb card or when connected my cable modem with a 2.5Gb port - they all negotiate and work at 2.5Gb. It is just this X550 that I can't get this to work with, yet again!

Cheers.

Keeop

Keeop · ‎12-21-2023

Hi Irwan,

Follow up.........

After leaving the machine for a bit, it seems to have finally negotiated to 2.5Gb! So, fingers crossed, we're all OK. Very strange. I was running the Intel diags/tests on the card so maybe that kicked something in to gear?! Don't know. But, for now it seems OK. Will reboot the machine and see if it comes back straight on 2.5Gb......yep!

So, I think we're all OK here - finally!!!

Thanks Irwan.

Keeop

Irwan_Intel · ‎01-01-2024

Hello Keeop,

I'm glad it's working. Just wanted to make sure the connections are good now or if you still need more help.

Regards,

Irwan_Intel

Keeop · ‎01-01-2024

Hi Irwan,

Yes, I think so. I do need to move it in to my proper production server but I'm pretty confident. If I have any further issues, I'll just open a new thread.

Cheers.

Keeop

Irwan_Intel · ‎01-01-2024

Hi Keeop,

Thank you for the update. We will proceed to close this thread. If you have additional questions, feel free to initiate a new thread, and we will gladly assist you further.

Regards,

Irwan_Intel