Intel® QSFP+ Configuration Utility

Quick Usage Guide

Networking Division (ND)

March 2015

Revision 1.0
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Quick Usage Guide

Revision History

Revision Date Comments

1.0 March 9, 2015 Initial release (Intel Public).

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Quick Usage Guide

1.0 Introduction
This document demonstrates how to change operational modes on the Intel® Ethernet Converged
Network Adapters XL710-QDA1 and XL710-QDA2 using the Intel® QSFP+ Configuration Utility (QCU).
The information in this document is for experienced system administrators who are familiar with server,
network, and data center concepts and technologies.

2.0 QSFP+ Breakout Cable Support Added

Starting with version 20.0 of the Intel® Network Connections Software, single- and dual-port QSFP+
adapters can be configured for use with breakout cables, enabling four SFP+ connections from a single
QSFP+ interface.
Note: The QCU tool and ability to switch the configuration is supported only on Intel® Ethernet
Converged Network Adapters XL710-QDA1 and XL710-QDA2.

3.0 Obtaining New NVM Images

The Intel Download Center (X710 or XL710) is Intel's repository for the latest software and drivers for
your Intel products.
Use the NVM Update Tool (NUP) included with the software release to upgrade your adapter to the
latest NVM version. The QCU requires an NVM image version of 4.42 or later. Image version 4.42 is part
of the Software Version 20.0 release. The NVM Update Package is also available at:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/24769
Note: Update to the most current i40e driver prior to running the QCU Tool. Release 20.0 drivers
for the Linux operating systems are required to be installed prior to running QCU.

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4.0 Locating the Utility

After downloading the Intel® Network Connections Software 20.0, unzip its contents into the system to
be updated and navigate to the appropriate directory for your operating system as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Locating the Tool

5.0 Using the Utility

Regardless of the operating system, QCU usage involves the same set of command-line arguments.
Note: Special operating system-specific troubleshooting information is located in Section 6.0.
To display a list of options, issue QCU command with the -help argument, as follows:
QUCW64e.exe -help

An example is shown in Figure 2.

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Figure 2. QCU Options

To list available QSFP+ adapters that have been installed in the system, run the QCU with no additional
options.
To see details for a particular adapter, including the current configuration and available alternative
configurations, use the /nic=x and /info options, as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3. Adapter Details

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Note: Adapters with older firmware may appear in the list, but are NOT configurable.
To change the configuration of an adapter, use the /set= option with one of the following
configurations:
• 1x40 to enable a single QSFP+ port in 40 Gb/s mode.
• 2x40 to enable dual QSFP+ ports in 40 Gb/s mode.
• 4x10 for using a single QSFP+ port and breakout cable (connection to four 10 Gb/s SFP+ link
partners).
• 2x2x10 for using dual QSFP+ ports with breakout cables (connection to two 10 Gb/s SFP+ link
partners for each QSFP+ port).
The QCU currently offers all configuration options for an adapter running updated firmware, even
though the selected configuration might be physically impossible. This will be corrected in a future
release. At this time the user MUST select a valid configuration.
Note: Attempting to configure a single-port adapter for 2x2x10 (which requires two QSFP+ ports)
simply makes half of the ports unusable.
Valid configurations include:
• Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapters XL710-QDA2(8086-1583): 2x40, 2x2x10, 4x10
• Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapters XL710-QDA1(8086-1584): 1x40, 4x10
Figure 4 shows the correct syntax to change “NIC 1” from one QSFP+ 40 GbE port to four individual
10 GbE ports.

Figure 4. 1x40 to 4x10

Figure 4 shows that a system restart is required to allow the adapters to adopt their new
configurations. Prior to restarting the systems, run the QCU tool with the /devices option to view the
difference between the two physically identical adapters; one configured using /set=2x40 and the
other with /set=4x10, as shown in Figure 5.

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Figure 5. Device Differences

6.0 Troubleshooting and Additional Information

The message shown in Figure 6 appears when attempting to update adapters with older NVMs than the
minimum version.
QSFP+ Configuration modification is not supported by this adapter.

Figure 6. QSFP+ Configuration Modification Not Supported

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The QCU tool returns an exit code by default. A list of possible exit codes is available via the
/exitcodes option, as shown in Figure 7.
• To view this code under Linux, type echo $?.
• To view this code under Windows, type echo %errorlevel%.

Figure 7. Exit Codes

The QCU tool can generate a debug log for advanced troubleshooting.
• Under Linux, enable the log using either of the following methods. The log is saved in
/var/log/iqvlinux.log.
— export QV_DEBUG_LOG=0xffffffff before running QCU/.
— run QV_DEBUG_LOG=0xffffffff ./qcu.
• Under Windows, enable the debug log by setting the Environment Variable
QV_DEBUG_LOG=0xffffffff.
— Sysinternals DebugView must be installed.
— Set an Environment Variable through the Control Panel:
System Properties > Advanced > Environment Variables
— Set an Environment Variable through the command line:
set EV_DEBUG_LOG=0xffffffff
The variable must be set before running QCU.

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7.0 Known Issues

Windows
No unexpected Windows behavior was observed after running of the QCU tool.
Side effect:
Before applying the new QSFP+ link mode change, the tool calls SetupDiRemoveDevice()
method (equivalent to using the Uninstall option in the Device Manager) on each X710 physical
function (PF) except function 0. After a successful or unsuccessful /SET operation, only one
adapter's port is visible in the system until the reboot.
Linux
No unexpected Linux behavior was observed after running of the QCU tool.
Side effect:
Before applying the link mode change, the tool removes all X710 physical functions (PF) except
the function 0, by writing “1” to the sysfs files:
/sys/bus/pci/devices/[segment]:[bus]:[device].[function]/remove
After a successful or unsuccessful /SET operation, only one adapter's port is visible in the system
until the reboot.

8.0 More Information

For more information on the Intel® Ethernet X710/XL710 adapter family, go to the following links:
• Intel® 10 Gigabit Server Adapters, Virtualization, Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X710
Series
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/network-adapters/converged-network-adapters/
ethernet-x710.html
• Intel® Ethernet Controller XL710 Series, Intelligent Systems, Embedded Developers & Engineers
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/embedded/products/networking/ethernet-
controller-xl710-family.html
• Intel® Ethernet Converge Network Adapters X710 Product Brief
http://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/product-briefs/ethernet-
x710-brief.pdf
• Intel® Ethernet Controller XL710 Product Brief
http://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/product-briefs/xl710-10-40-
gbe-controller-brief.pdf

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