XL710 QSFP+ & breakout cables

[PKall]

Hello,

We have recently purchased a Dell R440 with XL710QDA2 card to find out that this card doesn't support the breakout DAC. We were suggested by Dell support team to purchase a retail version of this card to use the breakout cable.

Our server OS is Windows server 2016.

Could someone please confirm if the retail version of this card support the break out cables from 40GB QSFP+ to 4 of 10GB SFP+ ?

Thanks,

Phil K

[Mike_Intel]

Hello PKall,

Thank you for posting in Intel Ethernet Communities. 

Regarding your inquiry, here are the validated cables for your XL710QDA2 Ethernet Network Adapter. Please open the link below:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000006051/network-and-i-o/ethernet-products.html

If you have questions, please let us know.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technicians

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[Mike_Intel]

Hello PKall,

I just want to check if you still have questions or clarifications regarding this inquiry.

If you do, please let us know.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technicians

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[Mike_Intel]

Hello PKall,

I have not heard back from you so I will close this inquiry now. 

If you need further assistance, please post a new question.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technicians

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[PKall]

Hi Michael,

Thank you for the response.

I got the Intel card last week and all worked ok with the breakout cable.

My only concern at the moment is, can I use both ports on the card at 4X10 or just one port?

Regards,

Phil

[Mike_Intel]

Hello PKall,

Thank you for the confirmation.

Before I answer your new question, let me verify the following details first.

1. Are you using an Intel Retail Ethernet XL710-QDA2?
2. Did you try using the breakout cables on both ports? Are you having some issues?
3. What is the model of the cable that you purchased?

If you need further assistance, please post a new question.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technicians

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[PKall]

Very clever approach, Michael! :)

1. Are you using an Intel Retail Ethernet XL710-QDA2? - Yes
2. Did you try using the breakout cables on both ports? Are you having some issues? - Yes, For some reason, the second port was not recognized with the same cable as the first port.
3. What is the model of the cable that you purchased? - custom cable built by fs.com which worked for one port on this card.

so, now my question is should I be able to use both QSFP+ ports simultaneously with the breakout cables?

Thanks Michael!

Regards,

Phil

[Mike_Intel]

Hello PKall,

To answer your question, yes it does support 2 breakout cables. For more details, please open this link and scroll down to page 6.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/embedded/products/networking/qsfp-configuration-utility-quick-usage-guide.html

To configure, please download this tool.

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25850/Intel-QSFP-Configuration-Utility-Windows-

By the way, we always recommend to use the validated cables to avoid any issues.

If you need further assistance, please post a new question.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technicians

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[Mike_Intel]

Hello PKall,

I just want to check if you tried our last recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please post a new question.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technicians

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[Mike_Intel]

Hello PKall,

I have not heard back from you I will close this inquiry now. 

If you need further assistance, please post a new question.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technicians

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[flymanxia2012]

Do you use Intel's network cards at both ends? Which brand does your DAC use? How long is the distance of the DAC？This QSFP+  breakout cables (www.fibermall.com)should solve your problem.