Flex10 issues

[The Brit]

We are in the process of trying to upgrade from 1/10G to Flex10 VC Enet modules. The process listed in the user guide appeared to be successful, however although everything was "Green", we discovered that noone could actually talk to the network.

The problem seems to lie between the server NICs and the Flex10 Modules. It is affecting all of our server models, both proliants and itaniums.

In particular, I am interested in hearing from anyone who is running Itanium blades with Flex10 modules (in IC bays 1 & 2)

Did you experience this problem, and if so how did you get around it????

thanks

Dave.

[Michael Leu]

We have a BL860c and a BL870c running together with a few BL460c G6 in a enclosure with Flex 10 on IC bays 1 & 2. No problems so far...

Our Firmware:
BL8x0c ROM: A 4.21
Integrity iLO 2: 3.15
ProLiant BL460c G6: I24 01/14/2010
iLO2: 1.81 Jan 15 2010
OA: 2.60
VC-ENET: 2.32 2010-01-06T02:07:47Z
VC-FC: 1.40 7.12.4.06

[The Brit]

Michael,
Out of curiosity, what OS and version numbers are you running on the bl860's?

Dave.

[The Brit]

A couple of other questions Michael,

1. did you build your VC domain from scratch, on the Flex-10's? or;

2. was this a hardware upgrade of a domain which was originally built on 1/10G VC ENet modules??

thanks

Dave.

[Michael Leu]

Both have HP-UX B.11.31.0909 with IGELAN-DRV B.11.31.0909.01.

Sorry no experience with upgrading, we built the VC Domain from scratch.

Do you want our VC settings?

[The Brit]

Thats OK Michael,

I assume that the "IGELAN-DRV" is some kind of NIC driver?

I am trying to run OpenVMS on my 860's and I am hearing from HP that I need to wait for Version 8.4, "...later this year".

Thanks again

Dave.

[Michael Leu]

No problem...

Yes "igelan" is the HP-UX network driver. I have no clue about OpenVMS. :-)

[The Brit]

Wait for OpenVMS 8.4, next month.

[The Brit]

Just to give the final result.

Issue finally resolved. The problem turned out to be that the bl8x0c 5704 LOM NICs are not able to Autonegotiate with the New Flex-10 modules. NIC speed must be "forced" to 1Gb.

Solution: (Obvious once the problem is known)

1. Within the VC profile, for each Ethernet port, Select "Custom" and "1Gb" from the Port Speed Setting dropdown menu. After changing all of the ports, Apply the profile changes (can be done dynamically). (Note: if you select Auto, it will say that the negotiated speed is 1Gb, but the NICs will not function)

2. Within Openvms. In LANCP set the EW devices to permenantly "NoAuto".

$ mc lancp
LANCP> Define Device EWA0 /NoAuto
LANCP> Define Device EWB0 /NoAuto
LANCP> Set Device EWA0 /NoAuto
LANCP> Set Device EWA0 /NoAuto
LANCP> exit

As the "set device" command executes, OPCOM shows the devices joining the FAILSET LLA0, followed by a "Link Up" on EWA0.

Hope this helps someone.

Dave.