DL385 G7 with NC375T problem in ESXi 5.0 U1

[danielTESL]

driver: nx_nic
version: 5.0.614
firmware-version: 4.0.585
bus-info: 0000:06:00.3

Hi,

We have an issue where a port on our NC375T card(s) where the port will stop sending data, it looks 'up' through the vSphere client but when looking at the stats in ESXTOP it is not sending any data.  This has happened on three different hosts over the last two months.

I believe this is the latest driver but the HP advisory talks about using an earlier driver from 2011, unfortunately U1 comes with the latest 614 driver bundled and so using the earlier driver is not an option.

So my questions are:

1) Is there a problem with the NC375T card itself?

2) Is there a later driver than 614 as I can't find one on the HP website?

3) What are the recommendations to make this card reliable?!?

Thanks

[Jan Soska]

Hello Daniel,

I assume you've read through VMware KB ( http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2012455) and HP Advisory at (http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=4038767&prodTypeId=329290&prodSeriesId=4038765&swLang=8&taskId=135&swEnvOID=4115)

Regarding later driver, here at VMware compatiblity matrix (http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=io&productid=14587&deviceCategory=io&keyword=NC375T&page=1&display_interval=10&sortColumn=Partner&sortOrder=Asc) is mentioned driver nx_nic version 5.0.619, available here: (https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?downloadGroup=DT-ESXI50-Qlogic-nx_nic-50619&productId=229)

I think it is worth to try, if it doesn't help, contact HP a VMware cleary stated it is HP issue.

Came back with results then, I think you are not only one with similar issues.

Jan

[Jan Soska]

one fast update: citation from 5.0.619 driver readme:

************

The following fixes/workarounds have been made to the nx_nic driver between versions
5.0.614 and 5.0.619:

    1. [ ER0000000092804 ] : Disable minidump feature by default for HP adapters

    2. [ ER0000000083513 ] : Imporve NFS performance by enabling netqueue support on
                             1GbE adapter ports

    3. [ ER0000000088501 ] : Fix PSOD due to a race condition between netqueue deletion
                             and firmware reset

*************

Look very promising!

Jan

[danielTESL]

Hi,

Thanks for the info, we have looked at the advisories but they recommend going to an earlier driver which we cannot load as update manager says its superceeded.

We are having a meeting today to discuss 619, will update this thread when/if we decide to go ahead.

[Jan Soska]

Hello Daniel,

There is no problem to downgrade tre driver, you just need to use command line tools.

please check this manual directly from Qlogic (part removing the driver): http://filedownloads.qlogic.com/files/driver/80548/readme_CNA_Networking_Driver_VMware_ESXi50_10047.pdf

Then you can install older driver (manually or via Update Manager).

But in my opinion you should try newest 619 drives first.

Jan