Network card prevents boot after BIOS upgrade?!

[iustinp]

Hello,

I have a Microserver Gen 10 plus, and I recently upgraded it with the 2023.09.00.00 service pack after many years of not doing it. And now, it doesn't book anymore, unless I remove the (additional) Intel X520-DA2 network card. With it, it gets stuck (for many hours) on "Starting all devices. Please wait, this may take a few moments...".

The card worked well for 2 years in this machine, so I'm confused why the new bios would get stuck on it. Power off, bios reset, nvram clearing, etc. nothing works.

Any ideas what could trigger this? I'd like to be able to stay on curren BIOS versions, but not sure if at the cost of limited hardware...

Thanks for any ideas!

[shiva_jr · Accepted solution]

Hi iustinp,
    Is the card with Intel branded (Intel part number G18786-004) or HPE branded (Option part no. 665249-B21)?
The 10GB x520-DA2 card is branded in HPE as -
a) HPE Ethernet 10Gb 2-port 560SFP+ Adapter  is not compatible on Gen9 servers (Not Gen10)  with Option No. 665249-B21. Refer this document.
b) HPE Ethernet 10Gb 2-port SFP+ X520-DA2 Adapter with same option number 665249-B21.  Refer this document.
  I have no idea about this card will support Gen10 Microservers or not. However, you can try installing the firmware of the Network adapter. Refer this link or try this link .
Regards,
Shiva_JR
Please mark as solution accepted if this post answers your query.

[iustinp]

Hi, thanks for replying.

The adapter is Intel-branded, the sticket on it says "Intel OEM Ether Server Adapter X520-DA2", "E10G42BTDA". I don't know if I can get firmware updates for it, but given that HPE has firmware updates from this spring for their version, probably I should apply some.

The weird part is that this only works (and works well) with the older BIOS. If I revert, everything works. Roll-forward, broken again. Since I can't even get to the menu (i.e. F9 is highlighted, but the BIOS doesn't gets past the waking up devices and to the menu), I suspect there might be some unintended issues, not a plain "this is not supported".

Thanks for the info, I'll look up firmware updates.

[iustinp]

Update: I bought a HPE branded card, the 562SFP+ (part number 727055-B21), and with this the server boots ups fine.

On the negative side, it's bad that a bios upgrade "broke" what previously worked.

On the plus side, I now get firmware upgrades, plus it seems it works better with one of the transceivers I use, and it has no compatibility issues with the other either. So, overall, satisfied. Thanks for the idea, I wouldn't have thought Intel-branded vs. HPE-branded could make a difference.

[Sunitha_Mod]

Hello @iustinp,

Great! 

We are glad to know your concern has been addressed and we appreciate you for keeping us updated.