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Advisory: (Revision) VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1 - Broadcom bnx2x VMware ESX Driver Version 1.54 Does Not Function With Virtual Connect Device Control Channel (DCC) and SmartLink Capability for 10 Gb Broadcom Adapters in VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1

SUPPORT COMMUNICATION - CUSTOMER ADVISORY

Document ID: c02476622

Version: 2

Advisory: (Revision) VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1 - Broadcom bnx2x VMware ESX Driver Version 1.54 Does Not Function With Virtual Connect Device Control Channel (DCC) and SmartLink Capability for 10 Gb Broadcom Adapters in VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1
NOTICE: The information in this document, including products and software versions, is current as of the Release Date. This document is subject to change without notice.

Release Date: 2012-02-22

Last Updated: 2012-02-22

DESCRIPTION

Document Version
Release Date
Details
2
02/22/2012
Updated to include a link to the VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1 Driver CD for Broadcom NetXtreme II Network/iSCSI Driver that provides a solution to the issue.
1
08/13/2010
Original Document Release.

The Broadcom bnx2x VMware ESX Driver Version 1.54 does not function with HP Virtual Connect Device Control Channel (DCC) and SmartLink features on ProLiant and Integrity server blades configured with the NC532m or the NC532i adapter running firmware version 2.2.6. After installing or upgrading VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1 the following functionality is either not installed or is lost:

  1. New installation - DCC and SmartLink functionality is unavailable in an HP Virtual Connect environment with the NC532m or NC532i Network Adapters after installing VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1.

  2. Upgrade installation - If the bnx2x Asynchronous Driver Update CD version 1.52 was previously installed on a VMware ESX/ESXi 4.0 host, DCC/SmartLink capabilities will be lost after upgrading to VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1, which will overwrite the bnx2x driver version 1.52 with version 1.54 that is included with the base VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1operating system.

  3. Network failover - ProLiant and Integrity server blades hosting VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1 may lose network failover capabilities that use the VMware ESX NIC teaming failover policy (vSwitch setting) "Link Status only."

SCOPE

Any ProLiant and Integrity server blade with Virtual Connect Version 2.30 (or later) and configured with the NC532m or NC532i adapter firmware version 2.2.6. after installing VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1 with the Broadcom bnx2x VMware ESX Driver Versions 1.54.

RESOLUTION

The VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1 Driver CD for Broadcom NetXtreme II Network/iSCSI Driver Version 1.62 (or later) addresses support for DCC and SmartLink capabilities in Virtual Connect on ProLiant server blades. However, the latest recommendation is to use Version 1.70.34.v50.1 (or later), which is available on the VMware website:

http://downloads.vmware.com/d/details/dt_esxi41_broadcom_40017034v4111vmw0000000/dHdlYnRAJSpidGRkKg Non-HP site

As a workaround, to allow network failover capabilities, use VMware Beacon Probing to determine proper VM NIC link status as follows:

Reconfigure the VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1 NIC teaming failover policies to "Beacon Probing." This modification will remove the dependency on SmartLink to toggle the VM NICs failing link status mapped to a FlexNIC.

There is no workaround that supports the Virtual Connect DCC and SmartLink capabilities with VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1 and the Broadcom bnx2x VMware ESX Driver Version 1.54.



RECEIVE PROACTIVE UPDATES : Receive support alerts (such as Customer Advisories), as well as updates on drivers, software, firmware, and customer replaceable components, proactively via e-mail through HP Subscriber's Choice. Sign up for Subscriber's Choice at the following URL: http://www.hp.com/go/myadvisory

NAVIGATION TIP : For hints on navigating HP.com to locate the latest drivers, patches, and other support software downloads for ProLiant servers and Options, refer to the Navigation Tips document .

SEARCH TIP : For hints on locating similar documents on HP.com, refer to the Search Tips document .

To search for additional advisories related to VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1, use the following search string:

+Advisory +ProLiant -"Software and Drivers" +VMware

KEYWORDS: ESX, ESXi, DCC, Smartlink, failover

Hardware Platforms Affected: HP NC532i Dual Port 10GbE Multifunction BL-c Adapter, HP NC532i Dual Port 10GbE Multifunction BL-c Adapter(Standard HP Product), HP NC532m Dual Port 10GbE Multifunction BL-c Adapter(Standard HP Product), HP NC532m Dual Port 10GbE Multifunction BL-c Adapter, HP ProLiant BL260c G5 Server Blade, HP ProLiant BL2x220c G5 Server Blade, HP ProLiant BL2x220c G6 Server Blade, HP ProLiant BL460c G6 Server Blade, HP ProLiant BL465c G5 Server Blade, HP ProLiant BL465c G6 Server Blade, HP ProLiant BL465c Server Blade, HP ProLiant BL490c G7 Server Blade, HP ProLiant BL495c G5 Server Blade, HP ProLiant BL495c G6 Server Blade, HP ProLiant BL680c G5 Server Blade, HP ProLiant BL685c G5 Server Blade, HP ProLiant BL685c G6 Server Blade, VMware Virtualization Software for HP ProLiant Servers, VMware vSphere Software
Operating Systems Affected: VMware ESXi Server
Software Affected: Not Applicable
Support Communication Cross Reference ID: IA02476622
©Copyright 2012 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Hewlett-Packard Company shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. The information provided is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. To the extent permitted by law, neither HP or its affiliates, subcontractors or suppliers will be liable for incidental,special or consequential damages including downtime cost; lost profits;damages relating to the procurement of substitute products or services; or damages for loss of data, or software restoration. The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Hewlett-Packard Company and the names of Hewlett-Packard products referenced herein are trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company in the United States and other countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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