Multi-Head/ZaphodHeads not working with Matrox LUMA A310 and Intel i915 Driver

[slwrATgts]

# DRIVER INSTALLATION
see "Intel Graphic Adapter" https://video.matrox.com/en/products/graphics-cards/luma-series/a310
see "Intel Graphic Driver" https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/227958/intel-arc-a310-graphics/downloads.html

The driver installation was successful on Ubuntu 22.04, is part of the Linux kernel since 6.2 and will be supported by default with follow-up releases.

03:00.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation Device [8086:56a6] (rev 05) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])                                                                              
        Subsystem: Matrox Electronics Systems Ltd. Device [102b:2a00]
           [...]
        Kernel driver in use: i915
        Kernel modules: i915
 
0d:00.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation Device [8086:56a6] (rev 05) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
        Subsystem: Matrox Electronics Systems Ltd. Device [102b:2a00]
           [...]
        Kernel driver in use: i915
        Kernel modules: i915

# XORG CONFIGURATION

I was not able to configure X.org server in Multi-Head/ZaphodHeads to address monitors with DISPLAY :0.0, :0.1, :0.2, ...

HOW-TO configure X.org server in Multi-Head/ZaphodHeads to address monitors with DISPLAY :0.0, :0.1, :0.2, ... using Ubuntu 22.04, i915 kernel driver and LUMA A310 Graphic Adapter - 1 XScreen per monitor, 4 monitors each card, two cards?

Find X11 xorg.conf variants I tried so far attached.

We provide configurations with up to 8 monitors to our customers.

see "ZaphodHeads" https://man.archlinux.org/man/intel.4

With our common multi-head configuration (NVIDIA/AMD format), I get in Xorg.0.log something like:
[ 78526.073] (--) PCI:*(3@0:0:0) 8086:56a6:102b:2a00 rev 5, Mem @ 0x76000000/16777216, 0x4020000000/268435456, BIOS @ 0x????????/2097152
[ 78526.073] (--) PCI: (13@0:0:0) 8086:56a6:102b:2a00 rev 5, Mem @ 0x74000000/16777216, 0x4000000000/268435456, BIOS @ 0x????????/2097152
[ 78526.073] (II) "glx" will be loaded. This was enabled by default and also specified in the config file.
[ 78526.073] (II) LoadModule: "dri"
[ 78526.073] (II) Module "dri" already built-in
[ 78526.073] (II) LoadModule: "extmod"
[ 78526.073] (II) Module "extmod" already built-in
[ 78526.073] (II) LoadModule: "glx"
[ 78526.073] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so
[ 78526.074] (II) Module glx: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 78526.074] compiled for 1.21.1.4, module version = 1.0.0
[ 78526.074] ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 10.0
[ 78526.074] (II) LoadModule: "intel"
[ 78526.074] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/intel_drv.so
[ 78526.075] (II) Module intel: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 78526.075] compiled for 1.21.1.3, module version = 2.99.917
[ 78526.075] Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[ 78526.075] ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2
[ 78526.075] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) Integrated Graphics Chipsets:
i810, i810-dc100, i810e, i815, i830M, 845G, 854, 852GM/855GM, 865G,
915G, E7221 (i915), 915GM, 945G, 945GM, 945GME, Pineview GM,
Pineview G, 965G, G35, 965Q, 946GZ, 965GM, 965GME/GLE, G33, Q35, Q33,
GM45, 4 Series, G45/G43, Q45/Q43, G41, B43
[ 78526.075] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) HD Graphics
[ 78526.075] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) Iris(TM) Graphics
[ 78526.075] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) Iris(TM) Pro Graphics
[ 78526.075] (II) intel(0): Using Kernel Mode Setting driver: i915, version 1.6.0 20201103
[ 78526.075] (II) intel(0): SNA compiled: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.99.917+git20210115-1 (Timo Aaltonen <tjaalton@debian.org>)
[ 78526.075] (II) intel(0): SNA compiled for use with valgrind
[ 78526.076] (II) intel(1): Using Kernel Mode Setting driver: i915, version 1.6.0 20201103
[ 78526.076] (II) intel(1): SNA compiled: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.99.917+git20210115-1 (Timo Aaltonen <tjaalton@debian.org>)
[ 78526.076] (II) intel(1): SNA compiled for use with valgrind
[ 78526.076] (II) intel(2): Using Kernel Mode Setting driver: i915, version 1.6.0 20201103
[ 78526.076] (II) intel(2): SNA compiled: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.99.917+git20210115-1 (Timo Aaltonen <tjaalton@debian.org>)
[ 78526.076] (II) intel(2): SNA compiled for use with valgrind
[ 78526.076] (WW) intel(0): Unknown chipset
[ 78526.076] (--) intel(0): CPU: x86-64, sse2, sse3, ssse3, sse4.1, sse4.2, avx, avx2; using a maximum of 6 threads
[ 78526.076] (EE) intel(0): Given depth (24) is not supported by the Intel driver and this chipset.
[ 78526.081] (EE) intel(1): Failed to claim DRM device.
[ 78526.081] (EE) intel(2): Failed to claim DRM device.
[ 78526.081] (II) UnloadModule: "intel"
[ 78526.081] (II) UnloadModule: "intel"
[ 78526.081] (II) UnloadModule: "intel"
[ 78526.081] (EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration.
[ 78526.081] (EE)
Fatal server error:
[ 78526.081] (EE) no screens found(EE)
[ 78526.081] (EE)
Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support
at http://wiki.x.org
for help.
[ 78526.081] (EE) Please also check the log file at "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.

see "MULTIHEAD CONFIGURATIONS" https://man.archlinux.org/man/intel.4

With intel multi-head configuration, I get in Xorg.0.log something like:
[ 80363.503] Parse error on line 23 of section Device in file /etc/X11/xorg.conf
This section must have an Identifier line.
[ 80363.504] (EE) Problem parsing the config file
[ 80363.504] (EE) Error parsing the config file
[ 80363.504] (EE)
Fatal server error:
[ 80363.504] (EE) no screens found(EE)
[ 80363.504] (EE)
Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support
at http://wiki.x.org
for help.
[ 80363.504] (EE) Please also check the log file at "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.
[ 80363.504] (EE)
[ 80363.504] (EE) Server terminated with error (1). Closing log file.

Issue easy explained:
bash>env DISPLAY=:0 xterm &
bash>env DISPLAY=:0.1 xterm
xterm: Xt error: Can't open display: :0.1

[JayB_Intel]

Hello slwrATgts,

Thank you for posting in the Intel® Communities Support

I understand that you are trying to accomplish setting two A310 GPUs using X.org to utilize a total of 8 external displays, is there any particular screen configuration that you are aiming for (per example extended, clone or collage modes).

Interestingly the i915 driver is installed correctly so there shouldn't be an issue, have you tried with just one card at a time?

Just for reference, have you tested the same configuration with Wayland?

May we request for system scan from Intel SSU for us to further analyze your system? You may follow the guide below for your reference:

1. Download the Intel® System Support Utility for the Linux* operating system and save the ssu.tar.gz file to your system.
   1. Download link: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/18895/intel-system-support-utility-for-the-linux-operating-system.html
2. Extract the ssu.sh file from ssu.tar.gz and save to your system.
3. To run the ssu.sh script from a Linux terminal, Open Applications->Accessories->Terminal.
4. From the current directory, navigate to the current folder where the ssu.sh file resides. For example, if you saved the ssu.sh file to a folder called SSU File, the command would be cd SSU File.
5. Run the ssu.sh file using this command: ./ssu.sh <parameter=0|1> where 0 = off and 1 = enabled.
6. Use the parameter definitions included in the readme to determine which parameter to use.
7. Note If no parameter is specified and only ./ssu.sh is run, it captures all system information with the exception of 3rd party logs that must be specified.
   1. If no output file is specified, the Intel System Support Utility writes the output to the <systemname>.txt file.
8. You can view or open the output file in most text editors. However, view the file in a word processing software, such as WordPad*, for better formatted viewing. In addition, the Intel® System Support Utility for Windows can open the output file, which provides you with the capability of viewing the Linux information in an easy-to-view user interface.

Best regards,

Jay B.

[slwrATgts]

I am not aware of any "Multi-head, multi-screen, multi-display" Support in/with Wayland.
May have a look here: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Multihead

[slwrATgts]

In common we are aiming for 8 monitors in two rows with separate Displays/Screens:

- Mouse behave like on one big Display/Screen but

- Application Windows are not shared between Monitors/Displays/Screens,

- Graphic memory is not/less shared between graphic adapters.

- We do not clone/share similar content over different/multiple monitors.

- We do not extend the Display/Screen of one monitor with other monitors.

- We have multiple OpenGL Contents on each monitor - hardware acceleration/performance.

- We have to read back Pixels from graphic memory - "TearFree".

[slwrATgts]

I will try to provide the SSU report.

[slwrATgts]

added "SSU Scan Information"

[slwrATgts]

With intel it looks that I have to use Option "AccelMethod" "sna" for ZaphodHeads:

ZaphodHeads is only an option in SNA mode, after enabling this I was able
to get 4 heads working..

see https://lists.freedesktop.org/archives/xorg/2012-July/054723.html?_sm_au_=iVVj04NFJZLR3J5Rf7CV7K0qc3s8c

Thanks for your work, I just tested it. At startup, it seems to work:
1. it doesn't complain about invalid pipe
2. cursor appears on :0
3. application appears on :0

Then as soon as I touch the touchscreen, the cursor jumps to :1 and
further cursor movements are on :1 from that point.
[...]

-------------- next part --------------
Section "Monitor"
	Identifier "Monitor-LVDS1"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
	Identifier "Monitor-VGA1"
	#Option "RightOf"  "Monitor-LVDS1"
EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier "Intel0"
	Driver     "intel"
	BusID      "PCI:0:2:0"
	Screen     0
	Option      "AccelMethod"  "sna"
	Option     "Monitor-LVDS1" "LVDS1"
	Option     "ZaphodHeads" "1:LVDS1"
	Option     "TearFree" "on"
EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier "Intel1"
	Driver     "intel"
	BusID      "PCI:0:2:0"
	Screen     1
	Option      "AccelMethod"  "sna"
	Option     "Monitor-VGA1" "VGA1"
	Option     "ZaphodHeads" "0:VGA1"
	Option     "TearFree" "on"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier	"SCREEN0"
	Option		"AutoServerLayout" "on"
	Device		"Intel0"
	Monitor		"Monitor-LVDS1"
	SubSection "Display"
		Viewport 0 0
		Modes "1024x768"
		Depth 24
	EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier	"SCREEN1"
	Option		"AutoServerLayout" "on"
	Device		"Intel1"
	Monitor		"Monitor-VGA1"
	SubSection "Display"
		Viewport 0 0
		Depth 24
	EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
	Identifier	"LAYOUT"
	Option		"AutoServerLayout" "on"
	Screen 0 "SCREEN0"
	Screen 1 "SCREEN1"
EndSection

 see https://lists.freedesktop.org/archives/xorg/2015-October/057712.html?_sm_au_=iVVj04NFJZLR3J5Rf7CV7K0qc3s8c

I have to do further configuration and performance tests now ...

[slwrATgts]

I did some further tests, I reinstalled and updated the environment, I observed that I had to install "xserver-xorg-video-intel" manually if I follow the linked driver installation descriptions above - I attached my package list.

I got the following issue all the time:

Xorg.0.log.intel-sna0.txt:[ 2104.505] (WW) intel(0): Unknown chipset
Xorg.0.log.intel-sna1.txt:[ 2235.780] (WW) intel(0): Unknown chipset
Xorg.0.log.intel-sna2.txt:[ 2261.980] (WW) intel(0): Unknown chipset
Xorg.0.log.intel-sna3.txt:[ 2288.237] (WW) intel(0): Unknown chipset

# modinfo i915 | grep -e srcversion -e vermagic
srcversion: 5998CE91F188884F3CA50A1
vermagic: 6.5.0-26-generic SMP preempt mod_unload modversions

[VonM_Intel]

Hi, slwrATgts.

I understand that you're not aware of any multi-head, multi-screen, multi-display support in Wayland. The Arch Linux wiki page on Multihead might provide some valuable insights into setting up a multi-display environment. It's a good resource for understanding how to configure multiple monitors on Linux. Configuring Multi-Head/ZaphodHeads with Matrox LUMA A310 and the Intel i915 driver can be challenging, especially on newer systems or distributions like Ubuntu 22.04. As such, we appreciate your patience as you continue with the configuration and performance tests at the moment. We will do further research on this matter and post the response on this thread once available.

Best Regards,

Von M.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[VonM_Intel]

Hi, slwrATgts.

We appreciate your patience. We understand that you're doing further testing on your side, as such please let us know the results once you've completed testing with Wayland.

Best Regards,

Von M.
Intel Customer Support Technician

[slwrATgts]

I did further tests with weston/wayland (also with sway) and didn't found a way to realize something like a multi-head configuration [yet].

[VonM_Intel]

Hi, slwrATgts.

I trust you're doing well.

I have not heard back from you, we will close this inquiry now. If you need further assistance, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Best regards,

Von M.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[slwrATgts]

We prepared a wayland-only installation for further tests ... ongoing ...

[noname22]

FYI- for the unidentified chipset issue on an A310, I had to use i915.force_probe=* (or i915.alpha_support=1, depending on kernel version)

Hope that’s helpful

Your xorg config helped me quite a bit with a separate issue