In this section:
Use this section to attach the SR-IOV virtual function interface in VMware ESXi 6.7 and above versions.
Driver and Firmware Versions
Ensure the ESXi version is 6.7 or above, before proceeding.
Driver Versions
Ensure the driver versions for each card are exactly as mentioned. The SBC is not compatible with newer versions or older versions of the drivers.
Compatible driver versions for SBC 10.01.01 or onwards
Driver | Version |
---|---|
X710 i40en | 1.10.9 or above |
X540 ixgben | 1.7.20 |
Compatible driver versions for SBC 10.01.00
Driver | Version |
---|---|
X710 i40en | 1.8.6 |
X540 ixgben | 1.7.20 |
Firmware Version
Use the latest firmware for the specific NIC corresponding to the hardware platform.
Attaching the SR-IOV
Use the following steps to attach the SR-IOV:
Step 1 to Attach SR-IOV Interface in VMware ESXi 6.7 and Above are also described in the section Creating Virtual Machines using SR-IOV Interfaces. If you have already performed these steps, continue the procedure from Attach SR-IOV Interface in VMware ESXi 6.7 and Above.
The 10G card (X540 or X710) contains two ports named as vmnic in VMware. Go to Networking > Physical NICs to view the list of VM NICs.
List of Physical NICs
Select the VM NICs to enable the SRIOV and use as PKT0 or PKT1.
Select VM NICs
Click the selected VM NICs to obtain their PCI addresses.
PCI Address of NICs
- Go to Host > Manage > Hardware > PCI Devices. Select the PCI devices obtained in the above step, one after the other. Enable the SRIOV with the number of virtual functions required.
Select the PCI device and click Configure SR-IOV.
Select PCI Device > Configure SRIOV
Enter the number of virtual functions required depending on the number of VMs to create using the VM NIC.
Number of Virtual Functions
- Save and repeat steps Attach SR-IOV Interface in VMware ESXi 6.7 and Above and Attach SR-IOV Interface in VMware ESXi 6.7 and Above for the VM NICs that require SRIOV enabling.
Click Reboot Host to enable SRIOV on the VM NICs. After the Host reboots the virtual functions are created for the PCI devices
Reboot Host
Virtual Functions Active
Go to Networking > Virtual switches and click Add standard virtual switch.
Add Virtual Standard Switch
Give a name to the switch and select the VM NIC in Uplink 1 for which SRIOV is enabled. Click Add.
Repeat if there are other VM NICs.
Add Standard Virtual Machine
Go to Networking > Port Groups. Click Add port group.
Add Port Group
- To add the Port Group, enter the following details and click Add.
Name: Any port group name
VLAN ID: 4095
Virtual Switch: The vSwitch created before.
Add Port Group
When creating or loading the SBC, enter the Network Adapter Details as shown below:
Click Add network adapter. Do this twice; once for PKT0 and once for PKT1.
In the New Network Adapter drop down menu, for the PKT0 select the Port group created in the previous step.
In the Adapter Type drop down menu, select SR-IOV passthrough.
In the Physical function drop down menu, select the PCI device the Port group belongs to (the PCI device obtained before).
Retain the default values for the other options.
Network Adapter Details - PKT0
Network Adapter Details - PKT1
- Enter the other required values to start up the SBC in the VMware.
- Click Save or Finish.
Readjust SR-IOV Network Adapter Addition Sequence
Sometimes, with the ESXi 6.7U3, the order of the SR-IOV network adapters are not in same sequence as they were added after saving the SR-IOV network adapters. This behavior is not consistent and the order varies on different setups.
If the sequence shown after saving does not match the sequence in which the SR-IOV network adapters were added, detach the SR-IOV network adapters from the VM and readjust the sequence in which the SR-IOV network adapters were added, so that after saving, the VM has access to the correct sequence as expected by the SBC.
SR-IOV Adapter Sequence
Sequence | Description |
---|---|
MGT0, HA, PKT0, PKT1 | For setup with two packet port |
MGT0, HA, PKT0, PKT1, MGT1 | For setup with two packet port and extra management interface |
MGT0, HA, PKT0_P, PKT1_P, PKT0_S, PKT1_S | For port redundancy setup with 4 packet port |
MGT0, HA, PKT0_P, PKT1_P, PKT0_S, PKT1_S, MGT1 | For port redundancy setup with 4 packet port and extra management interface |
Example SR-IOV Network Adapters Order
When the PKT0 and PKT1 SR-IOV adapters are added in sequence, after saving the networks, the order of SR-IOV network adapters is shown below (example only).
Order of SR-IOV Network Adapters
For the example shown, delete the SR-IOV networks and attach the SR-IOV network adapters such that the order is PKT1 and then PKT0.
Power on the VM to create or start up the SBC.