Beware of EMC switches sold as Mellanox SX6XXX on eBay

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mpogr

Active Member
Jul 14, 2016
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Hi, all.

As I just simply can't find the SX6012 firmware, so I'd like to flash EMC6012 into MLNX 6005.

So, I'd like to flash the firmware into my emc sx6012 by issuing below:

flint –-allow_psid_change –d lid-0x<yourswitchlid> -i ./<firmwarename>.bin b

Where firmwarename is fw-sx-x_y_zzzz-MSX6005F_Ax.bin. Is it ok?
Should be OK, as far as I remember. You do need to have a Subnet Mamager running somewhere in your fabric and MST on the box you're going to run this command on

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am4593

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Feb 20, 2017
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has anyone attempted to make quiet these switches. or is sound reduction just not really possible with 40GB.
 

thfs1002

New Member
Mar 24, 2018
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Finally I tried to convert and another successful conversion report here in. It took long time and was difficult to convert. But connections are ok, and subnet manager is working now. Gateway and IP routing seem to be also available.

sx6012.png


Cascading with another QDR switch, IS5030 is OK.

Switch: MF0;sw-5030-a:IS5030/U1:
9 36[ ] ==( 4X 10.0 Gbps Active/ LinkUp)==> 7 12[ ] "MF0;sx6012:SX6012/U1" ( )
Switch: MF0;sx6012:SX6012/U1:
7 12[ ] ==( 4X 10.0 Gbps Active/ LinkUp)==> 9 36[ ] "MF0;sw-5030-a:IS5030/U1" ( )

Anyway, very good conversion guide. Thank you very much, mpogr!!
 
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mpogr

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Jul 14, 2016
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Guys,

I've been asked on a couple of occasions how to make the Fabric Inspector work after the conversion. It looks like it requires a separate license which is obviously missing.

I'm happy to report that I have found a way to "tell" the switch that the Fabric Manager (UFM) is enabled.
Here's how you can do it (provided you retained access to the admin bash):
Code:
/opt/tms/bin/mddbreq /config/db/initial set modify - /mlx/license/state/ufm_feature_active bool true
/opt/tms/bin/mddbreq /config/db/initial set modify - /mlx/license/state/ufm_ports_limit uint16 200
After you do this, if you go back to the Web interface->Fabric Inspector and click "Refresh" you will start seeing information.
Not sure if this would survive the switch reboot, as I can't reboot mine now.

Cheers!
 

nthu9280

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2016
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San Antonio, TX
Thanks to this thread, the SX6012 switch that was $120+shipping few days ago is now listed for $620+shipping.


Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 

mpogr

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Jul 14, 2016
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Thanks to this thread, the SX6012 switch that was $120+shipping few days ago is now listed for $620+shipping.


Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
I guess the seller realised they're holding on to a much more valuable item. However, if this thread hadn't existed, you and other people wouldn't have even considered buying these switches anyway...
 

Rand__

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Mar 6, 2014
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Actually that thread existed when they were still high in price, while prices came down to the $100 low (which lasted surprisingly long) and now somebody caught up while ppl looked. Conversion has been hinted at by various ebay sellers for at least 6 months;)
 
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Rand__

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Mar 6, 2014
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but not sure if these would do l3 routing, gateway and such - so maybe still a reasonable price for what you get after conversion ...
most likely not if you check what the GW license goes for ... although one could be lucky that its active on the switch:)
 

Spyder Web

New Member
Jan 28, 2018
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Thanks to this thread, the SX6012 switch that was $120+shipping few days ago is now listed for $620+shipping.
I reached out to the vendor a few days ago about the price, and he said he was raising it just until he was able to get his inventory straight. True to his word he's reposted it at $119 for the sx6012 and has also posted some sx6018 for $169.

Mellanox MSX6012-2BFS SX6012 EMC 100-886-236-00 12-port switch with EMC OS | eBay

Mellanox MSX6018-2BFS SX6018 EMC 100-886-230-00 18-port switch with EMC OS 19" | eBay
 
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Freebsd1976

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Feb 23, 2018
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Anyone try set sx6012 to 56gbe?

According mellanox user manual ,could we do this after conversion?

In The user manual to achieve 56GbE link speed:,we need do following :

Step 1.Make sure your system is 56Gb/s capable (e.g. SX6036F, SX1024, and SX1036). Step 2.Install GW license if necessary.
Run:switch (config) # license install <license key>
Step 3.Set the system profile to be eth-single-switch, and reset the system:
switch (config) # system profile eth-single-profile
Step 4.Set the speed for the desired interface to 56GbE as follows.
Run:switch (config) # interface ethernet 1/1
switch (config interface ethernet 1/1)
# speed 56000
Switch(config interface ethernet 1/1) #
Step 5.Verify the speed is 56gbe
(config) # show interfaces ethernet 1/1
 

mpogr

Active Member
Jul 14, 2016
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Yes, I'm using this switch in 56Gbps EN mode after the conversion. You can use Web UI to achieve that as well.
 

Freebsd1976

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Feb 23, 2018
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Could you tell me How to do this use webui , I did not find any information on the web ui .

It is “Virtual Switch MgmtConfigures the system profile” or not?
 
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llowrey

Active Member
Feb 26, 2018
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I seem to have a problem with setting the LAG hash mode. According to the manual, more than one criteria can be specified. But, when I check more than one box on the web UI only last one remains checked after the change is applied. The same thing happens when I do the same via the cli. Bug?

Code:
ibswitch [standalone: master] (config) # port-channel load-balance ethernet source-destination-ip source-destination-port
ibswitch [standalone: master] (config) # show interfaces port-channel load-balance
source-destination-port
ibswitch [standalone: master] (config) #
I acquired two SX6012s that I successfully converted. Thanks again @mpogr!

My SX6018 still does not accept more than one LAG criteria but both SX6102 units do! I used the exact same images/files and procedure. The only difference was the firmware I loaded via flint. There is clearly some other difference between the SX6108 and SX6012. Any ideas how I might chase this down?
 
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Hindsight

Member
Mar 28, 2016
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What nics are you guys using for 56 GB? Does the ConnectX-3 support 56? The dual ports are still a little pricey but $50 for a single port is prob what I will get for now.


I'm waiting on the 6012 to get here, I went ahead and bought it. I have an HP switch with 4 SFP+ ports I'm currently using and already have the transcievers. Could I use a breakout cable (MPO Female to 4 LC) to connect it to the 6012 with a 40gb LAG?
 
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Hindsight

Member
Mar 28, 2016
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I am currently at the step to flash the firmware. I have a connectx-3 MCX354A_fdr and a qsfp-qsfp DAC connected to both the nic and the switch and nothing lights up on the port, nothing in windows shows connected.

The DAC should work right? Anything else I can check?
flint --allow_psid_change -d lid-0x51000 -i MSX6012.bin b
-E- ibvsmad : can't resolve destination port 0x51000
-E- ibvsmad : can't resolve destination port 0x51000
-E- Cannot open Device: lid-0x51000. Invalid argument. MFE_CR_ERROR