Intel Ethernet Adapter Port Down Issue

Intel Ethernet Adapter Port Down Issue

Add-in Intel Ethernet Adapter (NIC) Port Down Issue

Example Symptom:under VMWare ESXi environment wherein vmnic#1 port is down

commands:
esxcli network nic get -n vmnic#
esxcli network nic list




Steps to troubleshoot to resolve the issue

(1) Re-seat the SFP modules and cable connections for both Host and Switch Ports
(2) Try to swap and test with known working SFP module and cable
(3) Perform a loopback test with existing or spare cable
  1. As example above - with vmnic1port(down), by using its cable connection, connect the other end of the cable from Switch port to vmnic2 port (vmnic1 and vmnic2 are connected back-to-back). Then, check if link will establish. If link gos up, then check switch port side.
(4) Ensure both host and switch ports are using same SFP module brand/specs
  1. Intel recommends using Intel SFP module for both and switch ports
(5) Ensure FEC (Forward Error Correction) is enabled for Cumulus* Switch
(6) Ensure Add-in Intel NIC FW version os 7.0 or above.

  1. To verify firmware version, choose uEFI boot mode in BOS setup> Advanced> PCIe configuration> uEFI option Rom configuration)
  2. (Preferred) Or use cli command to list the network adapter installed
    1. Esxi-#esxcli network nic list(list network adapters)
    2. Esxi-#esxcli network nic get -n vmnic#(provides NIC FW ver)
    3. Cohesity-#list_all_nic_ports.sh(list network adapaters)
    4. Linux-#lspci(list all PCIe devices)
    5. Linux-#sudo ethtool-l ethX(provides NIC FW ver)

(7) Pwer AC Power cycle, unplg power cables for 5-30 secs then power the system back on.
This allows a reset and re-initialeize of the NIC(s).
(8) Provide information and completed troubleshooting steps to Intel if the issue is not resolved by performing the steps above.

NIC Troubleshooting Fowchart