Problems with some EXPI9404PTL cards being recognized by the server

[idata]

I am getting reports that some EXPI9404PTL cards are recognized by a given server and others fail to be recognized by the same given server. The server in question utilizes PCIe2.0 slots. Based on the following statement http://www.intel.com/support/network/adapter/pro100/sb/CS-030873.htm http://www.intel.com/support/network/adapter/pro100/sb/CS-030873.htm , it appears that the EXPI9404PTL card has been modified for forward compatibility and should work in PCIe2.0 slots.

Was this card originally modified to resolve this issue form its initial conception, or was it modified as a mid production change? If it was a mid production modification, is there a way to determine which version of the card is forward compatibile with PCIe2.0 and which versions are not forward compatible?

Thanks in advance.

[idata]

based on the website announcement, the affected part is only EXPI9404PT (without the L) and PF.

so you should have no problems if you plan to use expi9404ptl.

[idata]

Yes, based on the web announcement, the EXPI9404PTL should work. The problem remains, however, that some of the cards are recognized and some are not within the same server, and same PCIe2.0 slots. All of the cards function properly in servers running slots other than PCIe2.0. This particular server platform has only PCIe2.0 slots and its BIOS does not offer any PCIe compatibility selections.

This begs the question, was the design change that provided PCIe2.0 compatibility for this card implemented when the card was first introduced, or was it implemented in mid production?

[idata]

Based on additional testing, it looks like the issue with EXPI9404PTL cards can be narrowed down to the minor revision number. Cards with a minor revision number of 002 do not work while cards with a minor revision number of 004 and higher do work. There also appears to be a change in chip manufactures as well. The older card version uses a Delta Electronics LFE9219C-R pair of magnetics modules while the newer cards use the WE-Midcom 7412-35 modules. Does any one know what changed between minor rev 002 and 004 in relation to the PCIe2.0 spec and why the chip change?

Thanks.

[idata]

Correction, The rev 002 cards use the WE-Midcom modules while the newer cards use the modules from Delta Electronics.

[Mark_H_Intel]

You should http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/contact/phone phone Intel Support to get an RMA for replacements for the adapters that are not working.

Mark H