User Manual

Driver FeaturesRev 2.2-1.0.1

Mellanox Technologies

4.3.3 Retrieving EoIB Information

4.3.3.1 mlx4_vnic_info

To retrieve information regarding EoIB interfaces, use the script mlx4_vnic_info. This script pro-

vides detailed information about a specific vNic or all EoIB vNic interfaces, such as: BX info,

IOA info, SL, PKEY

, Link state and interface features. If network administered vNics are

enabled, this script can also be used to discover the available BridgeX

boxes from the host side.

• To discover the available gateway, run:

mlx4_vnic_info -g

• To receive the full vNic information of eth10, run:

mlx4_vnic_info -i eth10

• To receive a shorter information report on eth10, run:

mlx4_vnic_info -s eth10

• To get help and usage information, run:

mlx4_vnic_info --help

4.3.3.2 Link State

An EoIB interface can report two different link states:

• The physical link state of the interface that is made up of the actual HCA port link state

and the status of the vNics connection with the BridgeX®. If the HCA port link state is

down or the EoIB connection with the BridgeX has failed, the link will be reported as

down because without the connection to the BridgeX the EoIB protocol cannot work

and no data can be sent on the wire.

The mlx4_vnic driver can also report the status of

the external BridgeX port status by using the mlx4_vnic_info script. If the

eport_state_enforce module parameter is set, then the external port state will be

reported as the vNic interface link state. If the connection between the vNic and the

BridgeX is broken (hence the external port state is unknown)the link will be reported as

down.

• the link state of the external port associated with the vNic interface

A link state is down on a host administrated vNic, when the BridgeX is connected and

the InfiniBand fabric appears to be functional. The issue might result from a miscon-

figuration of either BXADDR or/and BXEPORT configuration file.

To query the link state run the following command and look for "Link detected":

ethtool <interface name>

Example:

ethtool eth10

Settings for eth10:

Supported ports: [ ]

Supported link modes:

Supports auto-negotiation: No