Intel X722 downgrade help

[PeterTR]

I need help in desperation.

I have an old server with Esxi 6.7, I had to replace the disks, they were not recognized, so I upgraded the software via BMC with the entire bomc package, I did not pay attention and unfortunately the firmware version for the Intel X722 4p RJ45 network card was upgraded. To version 6.50, which turned out to be deadly for this network card.

Drama occurred after the restart
the card stopped working, cutting me off from access to the VM.

The company and production stopped, the lack of detailed post-implementation documentation only escalates the problem

the case described many times on the switch link is on the card (all ports) link disconnected

An attempt to replace the driver in Esxi did not bring a positive effect.

Drama

While searching the Internet, I read the whole story related to the restrictions applied by Intel in the matter of downgrade.

I can understand that this is a company policy, but really, why is there no way to save the end user in a critical situation by providing such a tool.

Because of the correlation of many factors:

the old server had support purchased for a good 5 years - of course, it is no longer supported

old version of VMware 6.7
no budget to buy a new one
willingness to leave the environment as a test for further use
I do not expect solid help, all I need is the NVMUpdate tool that will allow me to downgrade the firmware for the card to ver. 4.10 or 3.49 so that it is compatible with the VMware 6.7 system again
Can anyone help me get such a tool, this is a very important matter for me, I am desperate.

Piotrek

[PeterTR]

Dear Lenovo Support,

I am currently using a Lenovo server equipped with an onboard Intel X722 network controller (Device ID: 0x37D2, Subsystem ID: 17AA:4021). The current firmware version is 6.80 (Etrack ID: 80004377, NVM version: 1.3684.0).

I would like to know if there is any newer firmware version available for this specific NIC. I was unable to find any update on the official Lenovo support site, and tools such as nvmupdate64e do not detect a newer version.

Could you please confirm:

- Whether there is a newer firmware version available?

- If so, where I can download it?

- If a downgrade to a previous firmware version (e.g., Intel 4.10 retail) is possible and supported?

Thank you for your assistance.

Best regards, 

Piotr

[SR650 / 7x06 / S4AAK318]

[Fikri_Intel]

Hi PeterTR,

Thank you for contacting Intel.

We appreciate you reaching out to us regarding the reported issue. To assist you more effectively and provide an accurate solution, we kindly request the confirm the details below:

1- What system model are you currently using? ==> Lenovo 

2- Does the X722 built-in with a motherboard/come with system or purchased separately?

3- You wanted to downgrade the firmware version to ver. 4.10 or 3.49?

Once we have this information, we will be able to guide you better and provide the appropriate support.

Looking forward to your response.

Regards,

Fikri O.

[PeterTR]

Thank you for your answer
Below I answer in points

1. This is a server - SR650 (ThinkSystem) - Type 7X06, serial number: S4AAK318

2. Yes, it is a built-in LOM X722 type network card with 4 RJ45 ports (I am attaching a screenshot)

3. That is exactly what I wanted to do downgrade to one of these rev. possible to achieve with downgrade, i.e. 4.10 or 3.49, due to the use of Esxi 6.7 version, where analyzing internet forums and official Lenovo, vmware, etc. support - it is shown:

Firmware (NVM) 4.0+ - provides support for all functions, such as SR-IOV, VXLAN, TCP Offload on ESXi 6.7.
I also showed a desire to return to 3.49 because I upgraded from this version to 6.50, but 4.10 is officially supported for Esxi 6.7

I found many threads about the same situation and information that Intel blocked the possibility of downgrading with the nvmupdate tool or at the level of the card firmware itself.
From some information found, it appears that the only chance to regain functionality through downgrading is to obtain a dedicated tool such as nvmupdate or another to perform the downgrade, because downgrading is not officially supported for these cards.

PP

[Sachinks]

Hello PeterTR,

Greetings!

Thank you for your reply and for the details.

From the details, we see that you are using a lenovo system where the controller came in as built-in.

Since this is a built-in controller, it would be configured as per lenovo's requirements. Hence, we request you to check this once with Lenovo to see if they can assist you regarding the NVM firmware.

Regards,

Sachin KS

Intel Customer Support Technician