Operational Defect Database
BugZero found this defect 4471 days ago.
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise | c02476622
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
Last update date:
2/29/2024
Affected products:
VMware Offerings
VMware vSphere Software
HPE NC532i Dual Port 10GbE Multifunction BL-c Adapter
HPE NC532m Dual Port 10GbE Multifunction BL-c Adapter
HPE ProLiant BL260c G5 Server Blade
HPE ProLiant BL2x220c G5 Server Blade
HPE ProLiant BL2x220c G6 Server Blade
HPE ProLiant BL460c G6 Server Blade
HPE ProLiant BL465c G5 Server Blade
HPE ProLiant BL465c G6 Server Blade
HPE ProLiant BL465c Server Blade
HPE ProLiant BL495c G5 Server Blade
Affected releases:
No affected releases provided.
Fixed releases:
No fixed releases provided.
Description:
Info
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: 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. 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. 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 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
