ixgbe allow_unsupported_sfp seems to be ignored

[yann1]

Hi,

I am trying to connect a Dell C6100 using Dell X53DF 10 GB ethernet cards to a HP MSA 2040. The system is running Proxmox 7.1 with a Linux kernel 5.13.19-4-pve.

lspci recognizes the card as:

02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82599ES 10-Gigabit SFI/SFP+ Network Connection (rev 01)
02:00.1 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82599ES 10-Gigabit SFI/SFP+ Network Connection (rev 01)

When I plugin a DAC cable, the output of dmesg is:

[Wed Mar 30 17:03:03 2022] Intel(R) 10GbE PCI Express Linux Network Driver - version 5.12.5
[Wed Mar 30 17:03:03 2022] Copyright(c) 1999 - 2021 Intel Corporation.
[Wed Mar 30 17:03:03 2022] ixgbe 0000:02:00.0 0000:02:00.0 (uninitialized): ixgbe_check_options: FCoE Offload feature enabled
[Wed Mar 30 17:03:03 2022] ixgbe 0000:02:00.0 0000:02:00.0 (uninitialized): allow_unsupported_sfp Enabled
[Wed Mar 30 17:03:03 2022] ixgbe 0000:02:00.0: failed to load because an unsupported SFP+ or QSFP module type was detected.
[Wed Mar 30 17:03:03 2022] ixgbe 0000:02:00.0: Reload the driver after installing a supported module.
[Wed Mar 30 17:03:03 2022] ixgbe 0000:02:00.1 0000:02:00.1 (uninitialized): ixgbe_check_options: FCoE Offload feature enabled
[Wed Mar 30 17:03:03 2022] ixgbe 0000:02:00.1 0000:02:00.1 (uninitialized): allow_unsupported_sfp Enabled
[Wed Mar 30 17:03:03 2022] ixgbe 0000:02:00.1: failed to load because an unsupported SFP+ or QSFP module type was detected.
[Wed Mar 30 17:03:03 2022] ixgbe 0000:02:00.1: Reload the driver after installing a supported module.

As you can see, the ixgbe driver is loaded with "modprobe ixgbe allow_unsupported_sfp=1,1", but still refuses to allow the unsupported SFP+.

I compiled the ixgbe driver (version ixgbe-5.12.5), but this still doesn't work.

I don't know the exact brand of the DAC cables.

Why is allow_unsupported_sfp seemingly ignored?

[Zigfreid_Intel]

Hello yann1,

Thank you for posting on Intel Ethernet Communities. 

Since you are using a 3rd party system w/c is a Dell C6100 and using a Dell X53DF 10 GB ethernet card it would be best to contact the Original Equipment Manufacturer(OEM) which is Dell 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.

If you have questions or other clarifications please let us know so we can help you further

Awaiting to hear from you soon, should there be no response from you, I’ll make sure to reach out after 3 business days. Thank you and have a nice day!

Best regards,

Zigfreid I.

Intel® Customer Support

[yann1]

Ok, will do and report back.

[Zigfreid_Intel]

Hello yann1,

We will wait for your update, should there be no response from you, I’ll make sure to reach out after 3 business days. Thank you and have a nice day!

Best regards,

Zigfreid I.

Intel® Customer Support

[yann1]

Turns out Dell wants nearly 600 Euros for an on-site diagnostic. I'd rather go with using the plain Intel driver if you could give me some hints on how to get this to work.

[Zigfreid_Intel]

Hello yann1,

We will try to check if we can provide any recommendations however we cannot guarantee for an answer or a fix since we have limited support on this. 

Please provide us 2-3 business days to provide an update. If you have a preferred date please advise us. Thank you and have a nice day!

Best regards,

Zigfreid I.

Intel® Customer Support

[Zigfreid_Intel]

Hello yann1,

As per further checking, unfortunately this is out of our scope of support and we are unable to provide you any further recommendations. Please contact Dell for proper assistance on this instead. 

Awaiting to hear from you soon, should there be no response from you, I’ll make sure to reach out after 3 business days. Thank you and have a nice day!

Best regards,

Zigfreid I.

Intel® Customer Support

[Zigfreid_Intel]

Hello yann1,

Good day! We hope that you are having a great one so far.

We'd like to know if you have any other questions or clarifications please let us know so we would know if we can close the thread.

We will wait for your reply within 3 business days in case we don't hear from you, we will proceed closing this request.

Best regards,

Zigfreid I.

Intel® Customer Support

[Zigfreid_Intel]

Hello yann1,

Good day! We hope that you are having a great one so far.

Please be informed that we will now close this request since we haven't received any response from our previous follow ups. Just feel free to post a new question if you have any other inquiry in the future as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Best regards,

Zigfreid I.

Intel® Customer Support