Hi Sharon and Ninwardspiral,
We are having similar problems with the exact same NIC, and by coincidence with the same breakout cable (although we tested many).
Driver and firmware are updated to the latest versions available (2.4.3 and 6.01 respectively):
version: 2.4.3
firmware-version: 6.01 0x800034af 1.1853.0
First cable that does not work: ( QSFP to 4x10G SFP+, amphenol, 2m)
From the manufacturer website: Each QSFP-SFP+ splitter cable features a single QSFP+ connector (SFF-8436) rated for 40-Gbps on one end and (4) SFP+ connectors (SFF-8431), each rated for 10-Gbps, on the other.
SF-QSFP4SFPPS-002 Amphenol Commercial Products | Cable Assemblies | DigiKey (exact cable we bought)
ethtool -m output:
Identifier : 0x03 (SFP)
Extended identifier : 0x04 (GBIC/SFP defined by 2-wire interface ID)
Connector : 0x21 (Copper pigtail)
Transceiver codes : 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x04 0x00 0x00
Transceiver type : FC: Copper Passive
Encoding : 0x00 (unspecified)
BR, Nominal : 10300MBd
Rate identifier : 0x00 (unspecified)
Length (SMF,km) : 0km
Length (SMF) : 0m
Length (50um) : 0m
Length (62.5um) : 0m
Length (Copper) : 2m
Length (OM3) : 0m
Passive Cu cmplnce. : 0x01 (SFF-8431 appendix E) [SFF-8472 rev10.4 only]
Vendor name : Amphenol
Vendor OUI : 78:a7:14
Vendor PN : 624400002
Vendor rev : A
Option values : 0x00 0x00
BR margin, max : 0%
BR margin, min : 0%
Vendor SN : APF1718002044N
Date code : 170513
ethtool <intf> output (after bringing interfaces up):
Supported ports: [ ]
Supported link modes: Not reported
Supported pause frame use: Symmetric
Supports auto-negotiation: No
Advertised link modes: Not reported
Advertised pause frame use: No
Advertised auto-negotiation: No
Speed: Unknown!
Duplex: Unknown! (255)
Port: Other
PHYAD: 0
Transceiver: internal
Auto-negotiation: off
Supports Wake-on: d
Wake-on: d
Current message level: 0x0000000f (15)
drv probe link timer
Link detected: no
Second cable that does not work: ( QSFP to 4x10G SFP+, generic brand):
2m(6.6ft) 40G QSFP+ to 4SFP+ Passive Breakout DAC Cable | FS.COM
ethtool -m <intf> output:
Identifier : 0x03 (SFP)
Extended identifier : 0x04 (GBIC/SFP defined by 2-wire interface ID)
Connector : 0x21 (Copper pigtail)
Transceiver codes : 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x04 0x00 0x00
Transceiver type : FC: Copper Passive
Encoding : 0x00 (unspecified)
BR, Nominal : 10300MBd
Rate identifier : 0x00 (unspecified)
Length (SMF,km) : 0km
Length (SMF) : 0m
Length (50um) : 0m
Length (62.5um) : 0m
Length (Copper) : 2m
Length (OM3) : 0m
Passive Cu cmplnce. : 0x03 (unknown) [SFF-8472 rev10.4 only]
Vendor name : FIBERSTORE
Vendor OUI : 00:00:00
Vendor PN : QSFP-4SFP10G-DAC
Vendor rev :
Third Cable, it does work but its not what we need:
https://www.brack.ch/delock-direct-attach-kabel-330520
As a way to see if the NICs work, we also bought a SFP+ to SFP+ cable that is supposed to support SFP MSA and SFF-8431, but not SFF-8472. What is impressive is that this cable is detected and allows us to bring the link up
and even exchange some data at 10gbps. However, that is not what we need.
Encoding : 0x00 (unspecified)
BR, Nominal : 10300MBd
Rate identifier : 0x00 (unspecified)
Length (SMF,km) : 0km
Length (SMF) : 0m
Length (50um) : 0m
Length (62.5um) : 0m
Length (Copper) : 1m
Length (OM3) : 0m
Active Cu cmplnce. : 0x0c (unknown) [SFF-8472 rev10.4 only]
Vendor name : CISCO-TYCO
Vendor OUI : 00:40:20
Vendor PN : 2127493-1
Vendor rev : A
Option values : 0x00 0x12
Option : RX_LOS implemented
Option : TX_DISABLE implemented
BR margin, max : 0%
BR margin, min : 0%
Vendor SN : 164800277_______
Settings for ens787f3:
Supported ports: [ FIBRE ]
Supported link modes: Not reported
Supported pause frame use: Symmetric
Supports auto-negotiation: No
Advertised link modes: Not reported
Advertised pause frame use: No
Advertised auto-negotiation: No
Speed: 10000Mb/s
Duplex: Full
Port: Direct Attach Copper
PHYAD: 0
Transceiver: internal
Auto-negotiation: off
Supports Wake-on: d
Wake-on: d
Current message level: 0x0000000f (15)
drv probe link timer
Link detected: yes
Fourth Cable (to be delivered):
Intel X4DACBL3 40G QSFP+ Breakout DAC Cable | FS.COM
We are waiting for a fourth cable (this time is supposed to be intel compatible, but we dont know if it will be compatible with our switch...).
Why is the amphenol cable not working if the output of ethernet says: (SFF-8431 appendix E) [SFF-8472 rev10.4 only] which as stated in : Compatible SFP+ Modules, SFP Modules, and Cables for Intel® Ethernet... should be enough to be compatible. Why
only SFP+ to SFP+ cables work? What should we do? We spent to many resources and time buying different cables.
And to finish, would this NIC Intel® Ethernet Network Adapter XXV710-DA2 Product Specifications give us better results?
Thanks.
Edgar
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