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Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X710-DA4

CStoc4
Beginner
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Hello,

We have just purchased 8 Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X710-DA4 and we have installed them in our Dell R610 VMware 5.5 hosts. The cards at first seem to work well and preform well however we now have an issue where the links on all of our hots flap. The nic resets one port at random time intervals and then comes right back into service. We see the same behavior on all of our ESXi Hosts. These cards are being connected to a Cisco Nexus 5700 switch using Twinax Copper Cables. We talked to VMware and they seem to think its a firmware issue or something on the card. Both Dell and Cisco have looked at the server and network hardware and do not see any issues. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Intel x710

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TWhal
Beginner
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I have a similar Issue. Supposed these cards are on the VMware HCL but the firmware shipped does not match the rev 4.2.4 listed and I cannot find the update.

Neither VMware or HP are willing to help beyond "Upgrade the firmware and call us back"

Did you have any luck upgrading the firmware on these cards?

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st4
New Contributor III
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Hi InfiniteIT-Chris,

Thank you for the information. Can you provide what is the Vmware driver version used? Do you have any reference number from Vmware support regarding firmware issue on X710? What is the firmware version on the X710-DA4 NICs you have?

thanks,

wb

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TWhal
Beginner
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I am using the same drivers on the HCL: i40e version 1.1.1.

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?downloadGroup=DT-ESXI55-INTEL-I40E-111&productId=353 VMware vSphere 5: Private Cloud Computing, Server and Data Center Virtualization

ESXi shows the firmware on my cards as 4.22 but the supposed firmware version on the HCL is 4.2.4. I got ping ponged between VMware and HP 3 times before they started bringing this up. My escalation engineer at VMware told be that the 4.22 driver was actually supported but I needed to contact Intel to update the firmware as that may fix the issue. No specifics and I have found no way to obtain this firmware version.

I am still pushing VMware for answers but nothing yet.

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CStoc4
Beginner
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Here is the Intel Ticket with all the info. 8001038776

This experience with Intel was the worst I have ever seen with a tier one manufacture, how can a business operate with zero support from the manufacture, To get a hold of Intel support you are put on hold for hours on end jut to get someone who can create a case, then weeks go by with no solutions but half ass ideas on spanning tree. The worst part of it was that I am pretty sure I gave them the answer being that its a firmware issue but they refuse to give out the firmware. In the end the solution was to send back all 8 defective cards and buy Broadcom cards. I will never sell an intel card to a business due to the lack of support.

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st4
New Contributor III
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Hi InfiniteIT-Chris,

First, we sincerely apologize for the inconveniences that you have encountered using the Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X710-DA4 adapters. We realized that the solution is a bit too late but we appreciate you providing us with valuable information which help enable us to come out with a fix for this issue.

There is a new firmware update and new driver software release available on the web for Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter XL710 & X710 series adapters. See details below:

1. NVM Update Utility for Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter XL710 & X710 Series Adapters. You may directly download the package here at http://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/24769 http://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/24769

2. Software Release v20.0 CD which contains all drivers, NVMUpdatePackage, QSFP+ Configuration Guide) http://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/22283 http://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/22283

In addition, I am also posting the NVMUpdate tool guides to provide the steps on how to update the firmware.

We would like to thank you in helping us improve our products and services.

Thanks,

wb

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