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Updating Dell branded BCM57404 / BCM57414 nics to current firmware for ESXI
BCM57404 chips are listed on the ESXI documentation as compatible to ESXI 7.0 U3, but the Dell website offers as latest update 20.08.04.05.
Additional efforts to update the firmware via iDrac or Open Manage did not result in new results beyond the above mentioned firmware.
What is the upgrade path to enable the nic on ESXI 7.0U3 as the nic is currently listed in the hardware inventory of ESXI and iDrac but can not be configured as nic. If there's none, what would be correct NIC to enable 25Gbit on R730 rack servers with ESXI 7.0 U3?
Researching I identified similar issues with BCM57414:
DELL-Charles R
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April 29th, 2024 17:46
Hello,
I see the latest firmware for BCM57414 is version 22.21.06.80
https://dell.to/3UckIhi
The latest firmware I see for BCM57404 is version 20.08.04.05
https://dell.to/4aSN4Eh
Have you tried using the update tab in the iDRAC and check https://dell.to/3y7QEMc ?
If so; Did it supply different firmware?
iDRAC9: How to Update Via HTTPS
https://dell.to/3Qn2jx8
GM-Service
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April 29th, 2024 19:32
Hi @DELL-Charles R ,
and here lies the problem: neither the website nor the https update offers any firmware for BCM57404 later than 20.08.04.05 which is in stark conflict to the firmware 226.1.107.1 listed at VMware for this device.
https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=io&productid=41157
Speaking to VMware as well as Dell it is my understanding that Dell issues the firmware and communicates the same to VMware. It seems like Dell missed out on informing VMware about the correct and current firmware applicable to this device.
The system (R730) and the NIC (BCM57404) are ESXI 7.0 U3 compatible, but there seems to be no path to reach the requiered firmware version 226.1.107.1.
DELL-Charles R
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April 29th, 2024 20:50
Hello,
I looked over the VMware compatibility and it shows:
BCM57404 versions
ESXi 6.7 U3 - 20.08.04.04
Nothing for ESXi 7.0, 7.0 U1, 7.0 U2
Then it list an incompatible version for 7.0 U3 - 226.1.107.1
The ones I posted were Dell latest firmware for each BCM57414 , BCM57404
GM-Service
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April 29th, 2024 22:48
edit: updated screenshot with correct one.
Hi Charles,
please verify the screenshots, what you wrote is not comparing well to the documentation: literally there are all esxi versions from 6.7 to 8.0 listing this chipset in a Dell branded version as compatible.
https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=io&productid=41157
@DELL-Charles R, it is my understanding (please correct me where I am wrong) that Dell hands over the firmware to VMware and not the other way around.
the R730 is ESXI 7 certified, the BCM57404 is listed as ESXI 7 certified, Dell does not publish component compatibility, but refers customers to the VMware website to check upon compatibility.
So Dell claims it’s an ESXI issue, VMware claims it’s a Dell issue, in the end of the day the customer is loosing.
could you please help me understand if this is:
1) a documentation issue because the firmware does not exist?
2) a Dell issue because the firmware is accessible?
i am really confused!
(edited)
GM-Service
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April 30th, 2024 09:15
Hi Charles,
I would like to add in addition that the controller is listed in the vmware I/O Compatibility Guide (Last Updated: April 29, 2024) with Dell branding.
DELL-Charles R
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April 30th, 2024 12:36
Hello,
I have raised the issue to one of our Engineers. I can follow up when I have more information.
This is what I was saying that the vmware hcl doesn't list any esxi 7 version but 7.0.U3
Nothing for ESXi 7.0, 7.0 U1, 7.0 U2
GM-Service
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April 30th, 2024 19:32
hey @DELL-Charles R,
I can see your point, but as far as I understood the documentation a R730 system that contains this nic should arrive to ESXI 7 U3, doesn’t it?
DELL-Charles R
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April 30th, 2024 20:46
Hello,
The thing is that the VMware site is showing the wrong firmware for BCM57404.
I don't have an update yet from my engineer.
You asked about other 25G compatible NICs. I see a couple listed: Qlogic and Mellanox
R730, 25G NIC
Part Number
Part Description
Functional Description
NETWORK CARD
Qlogic and Mellanox
20NJD
CRD,NTWK,25G,CX4LX,DP,SFP,ML,L
Card Network, Low Profile, SFP, 25 GbE, Dual Port, Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx 25 GbE DA/SFP Network Adapter, Mellanox, CX4L
F6C79
CRD,NTWK,DP,QLGX,25G,SFP,V2
QLogic FastLinQ QL45212-DE 25GbE Adapter Dual Port, Network Card, 25 Gb, Version 2
MRT0D
CRD,NTWK,25G,CX4LX,DP,SFP,MLNX
Card Network, Full Height, SFP, 25 GbE, Dual Port, Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx 25 GbE DA/SFP Network Adapter, Mellanox, CX4LX
XV3MV
CRD,NTWK,DP,QLGX,25G,SFP,LP,V2
Network Card, PCIe, QLogic FastLinQ QL45212-DE 25GbE Adapter, Low Profile, (Version 2)
GM-Service
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May 1st, 2024 10:37
Hi Charles,
thank you for your list, could you please also research the Intel Nic options?
As far as the list you posted:
man, there's not one nic properly documented, it's a mess:
The vmware lists FW versions for different adapters (QLogic), the Mellanox one has missing separators. It's messy.
14.31.1014 HCL = 14.31.10.14 Dell
14.05.01 HCLA = 14.05.00 Dell
14.05.1 exists only for 10gbe
DELL-Charles R
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May 1st, 2024 12:06
Hello,
I do not see any Intel NIC that is 25G:
Intel
Part Number
Part Description
Functional Description
NETWORK CARD
Intel
0NWK2
CRD,NTWK,PCIE,1GB,QP,INTEL,V3
Card Network, Intel(R) Gigabit 4P I350-t Adapter, Quad Port, Full Length
1VCRR
CRD,NTWK,INTEL,OPA,X16,FH
Network Card, PCIe, Intel(R) Omni-Path Host Fabric Adapter 100 Series 1 Port PCIe x16, Full Height
3DFV8
CRD,NTWK,10G BASET,DP,INTEL,LP
Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 2P X540-t Adapter, Dual Port, Network Card, 10 Gb, Low Profile, DSS
4V7G2
CRD,NTWK,10GBT,INTEL,FH,V2
Intel(R) Ethernet 10G X550-t Adapter, Dual Port, Network Card, 10 Gb, Full Height, Version 2
5N7Y5
CRD,NTWK,10G,SFP+,DP FVL,IN,LP
Network Card, PCI-E 3.0, Intel Ethernet X710 Dual port 10GbE SFP+ Adapter, Low Profile
68M95
CRD,NTWK,13G,RNDC,IN,10G,SFP,4
Network Card, Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 4P X710 SFP+ rNDC, Low Profile
6VDPG
CRD,NTWK,13G,RNDC,IN,10G,SFP,2
Card Network, rNDC, SFP, 13 GbE 10 GbE, Quad Port, NVidia, Intel(R) Ethernet 10G X710 I350, Version...
8DKFV
CRD,NTWK,40G,DP,QSFP,INTEL,L
Network Card, PCIe, Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter XL710-Q2, Low Profile
8WWC9
CRD,NTWK,PCIE,1GB,DP,INT,LP,V3
Network Card, PCIe, Intel(R) Gigabit 2P I350-t Adapter, 1GB, Low Profile, (Version 3, Dual Port)
942V6
CRD,NTWK,10G,SFP+,DP,INT,LP,V2
Network Card, PCIe, Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 2P X520 Adapter, Low Profile, (Version 2)
99GTM
CRD,NTWK,12G,RNDC,INTEL,2+2,V3
Rack Network Daughter Card, PCIe, Intel(R) Gigabit 4P X540/I350 rNDC, 12Gbps
C4D5P
CRD,NTWK,10GBT,INTEL,LP,V2
Network Card, Ethernet 10G X550-t Adapter, Dual Port, 10 Gb, Low Profile, Intel, Version 2
C63DV
CRD,NTWK,12G,RNDC,INTEL,10GSFP
Network Card, PCIe, Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 4P X520/I350 rNDC
DDJKY
CRD,NTWK,4X10G,SFP+,INTEL
Network Card, PCIe, Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X710 - Quad Port, Full Length
FKHKC
CRD,NTWK,10G BASE-T,DP,INTEL
Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 2P X550-t Adapter, Dual Port, Network Card
HWWN0
CRD,NTWK,10G BASET,DP,INTEL,LP
Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 2P X550-t Adapter, Dual Port, Network Card, 10 Gb, Low Profile, DSS
JDVNF
CRD,NTWK,8950,ACCEL,INTEL,FH,Z
DSS Only, Network Card, PCIe x8, Intel QuickAssist Adapter 8950, 50Gbps, Full Height
K7H46
CRD,NTWK,10G BASE-T,DP,INTEL
Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 2P X540-t Adapter, Dual Port, Network Card, 10 Gb, DSS
KF46X
CRD,NTWK,40G,DP,QSFP,INTEL
Network Card, PCIe, Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter XL710-Q2
NKWV2
CRD,NTWK,8950,ACCEL,INTEL,LP,Z
DSS Only, Network Card, PCIe x8, Intel QuickAssist Adapter 8950, Low Profile
PGRFV
CRD,NTWK,4X10G,SFP+,INTEL,V2
Network Card 4X10G SFP+, V2 (INTEL)
R1XFC
CRD,NTWK,12G,RNDC,INTEL,QP,1G
Network Card, PCIe, Intel(R) Gigabit 4P I350-t rNDC
T34F4
CRD,NTWK,PCIE,1GB,QP,INT,LP,V3
Card Network, PCIe, Intel(R) Gigabit 4P I350-t Adapter, 1GB, Low Profile, (Version 3)
V5XVT
CRD,NTWK,PCIE,1GB,DP,INTEL,V3
Network Card, PCIe, Intel(R) Gigabit 2P I350-t Adapter, 1GB, Full length, (V3, Dual Port) l350
XD56X
CRD,NTWK,RNDC,2P,40GQSFP,INT
Network Card, PCIe, Intel(R) Ethernet 40G 2P XL710 QSFP+ rNDC
XYT17
CRD,NTWK,10G,SFP+,DP,INTEL,V2
Network Card, PCIe, Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 2P X520 Adapter, (Version 2)
Y5M7N
CRD,NTWK,10G,SFP+,DP FVL,INTEL
Network Card, PCI-E 3.0, Intel Ethernet X710 Dual port 10GbE SFP+ Adapter, Full Height
GM-Service
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May 1st, 2024 12:56
@DELL-Charles R documentation points to a XXV710 model in existence. Could you verify?
is there any ETA for any information regarding the inconsistencies in documentation regarding the firmware of the other nics?
compatible firmware was released: https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-hk/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=t6vn9
DELL-Charles R
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May 1st, 2024 13:13
Hello,
Intel XXV710
Part Number
Part Description
Def Component
Sub-Def Component
Functional Description
NETWORK CARD
2GXCJ
CRD,NTWK,25G,DP,SFP,INTEL,LP,Z
Network Card, Dual Port
Network Card, Dual Port
DSS Only, XXV710 PCIe Low Profile Bracket Standup Adapter, Dual Port, Network Card, 25 Gb
3PJT6
CRD,NTWK,25G,DP,SFP,INTEL,FH,Z
Network Card, Dual Port
Network Card, Dual Port
DSS Only, Network Card, PCIe x8, Intel XXV710 PCIe 25GbE Dual Port Bracket Standup Adapter, Full Height
Intel NIC Family Version 19.5.0 Firmware for X710, XXV710, and XL710 adapters v.19.5.12 is the latest we have.
https://dell.to/3UEuV7D
I didn't send this earlier because >Supported Operating Systems at the bottom of the firmware page does not show VMware
And firmware does not match hcl below 22.5.0
https://dell.to/3UHhhRl
I do not have an ETA at this time. I hope to speak with him today.
GM-Service
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May 1st, 2024 16:00
Hey, just to give you the full list in a simple format:
14.31.1014 HCL = 14.31.10.14 Dell
Considering that all 7 R730 systems we want to retrofit in total, I am rather confused about the update strategy behind this move:
End of Service for this devices was 1/07/2022, ESXI 7 U3 release date was 10/05/2021. ESXI 7 Release Date
GM-Service
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May 1st, 2024 21:38
I can confirm that the nic works with ESXI 6.7 A05, but not with 7.0 in any version.
GM-Service
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July 25th, 2024 21:46
Hi @DELL-Charles R ,
I spend a month in my free time researching this topic:
Please understand that while EoL beeing a valid state, current documentation not being updated constitutes an issue.
Please advise me on how to proceed.