Looking for a Connectx-3 custom firmware package

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Moff Tigriss

New Member
Sep 24, 2016
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Hi,

I have four MCX341A-XCAN (Connectx-3 EN, one SFP+ port, OCP mezzanine format) on Quanta Windmill nodes, and I want to update the firmware. The current version is 2.10.3782, but the last upgradable version officially available on Mellanox site is the 2.31.1598. And i'm pretty sure there is even a more recent version floating around.

There is a generic binary available, but after looking the original firmware configuration, the original firmware seems to be tuned for the Windmill motherboard, and the autoupdater don't found anything. So i'm looking for a custom firmware builder, like the well known 2.10.7020 for the Connectx-2/3.

Since Mellanox deleted everything about custom fimwares, i'm looking for a little help : if someone know if there was a custom firmware possibility, and if someone has those files flying around.

Thanks you !
 

fohdeesha

Kaini Industries
Nov 20, 2016
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Moff Tigriss

New Member
Sep 24, 2016
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I missed that version, after all the research, damn it. Thank you !

The firmware work, but now my ESXI crash at the beginning of the boot, with a screen saying "Parity Error". It's not the CPU/RAM/Disk (tested on two nodes), so the firmware is probably responsible. Maybe something about SR-IOV, I activated it in my INI. Or the PXE rom (taken from a similar card, in the 2.42.5000 firmware).

Well, time for a recovery flash, and retry.

The very last firmware version for Connectx-3 cards is the 2.42.5000, but no custom builder is available as far as I know.
 

Moff Tigriss

New Member
Sep 24, 2016
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I think I will make a small website with a comprehensive archive of all versions. It's an internet-sized puzzle :D

I now have the 2.40.5030 running on the MCX341A-XCAN, but with no PXE rom. If the rom is here, the node crash during the first seconds of the OS boot, and a "Parity Error" message appear (black screen, very big letters), like the second picture here. The message is actually the AMI BIOS screaming at you that a PCI card is crazy.

Using the last Flexboot rom from the 2.42.5000 of another card was probably not a good idea, which is weird because the rom is agnostic. I need to try some black magic on this. But with an old rom, it's working.

I don't think there is any more recent custom package for this generation. You can find a precompiled 2.42.5000 on the website (but not for my card), and a 2.42.7000 is mentioned on the OFED compatiblity matrix.
 
Apr 21, 2016
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Apr 21, 2016
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I've tried to ... unfortunately, I get a ton of python errors. :(
Besides, I wanted to check the defaults in the fw build.

PS: Thumbs up for the scripts.
 
Apr 21, 2016
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By blind luck ... I've managed to get the 2.40.5030 for cx3pro ... PM me if you have the 2.42.5032 (or later) ... I'll add it to the useful files library - see the 6012 thread.
 

up3up4

Member
Jun 10, 2018
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2.42.5056 is a .bin for standard pcie and 2.42.5700 is for 544+FLR QSFP card.
 
Last edited:

BeTeP

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2019
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HP has 2.42.5700 for CX3Pro but only 2.42.5030 for regular CX3. So Lenovo's 2.42.5032 is still the latest CX3 firmware.
 

i386

Well-Known Member
Mar 18, 2016
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Google brought me to this thread again :D
So Lenovo's 2.42.5032 is still the latest CX3 firmware.
I was checking my connect-x3 nics and one of 4 is running this firmware version. I've never used one of the lenovo packages/tools on these originally hp(e) branded nics and don't know how I got this firmware on that nic...
Windows package with that firmware: Mellanox Firmware for Windows - Lenovo Support US
Linux package: Mellanox Firmware for Linux - Lenovo Support US
 

i386

Well-Known Member
Mar 18, 2016
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Code:
Querying Mellanox devices firmware ...

Device #1:
----------

  Device Type:      ConnectX3
  Part Number:      MCX354A-FCB_A2-A5
  Description:      ConnectX-3 VPI adapter card; dual-port QSFP; FDR IB (56Gb/s) and 40GigE; PCIe3.0 x8 8GT/s; RoHS R6
  PSID:             IBM1090111019
  PCI Device Name:  mt4099_pci_cr0
  Port1 GUID:       24be05ffff9b9ee1
  Port2 GUID:       24be05ffff9b9ee2
  Versions:         Current        Available     
     FW             2.40.5030      2.42.5032     
     FW (Running)   2.42.5000      N/A           
     PXE            3.4.0752       3.4.0754      
     UEFI           N/A            14.11.0047    

  Status:           Update required

---------
Found 1 device(s) requiring firmware update...

Perform FW update? [y/N]: No updates performed
How to get 2.42.5032 on your connect-x3:
Install the mellanox firmware tools: Mellanox Firmware Tools (MFT)
Download the mellanox custom firmware file: http://content.mellanox.com/firmware/ConnectX3-rel-2_40_5030.tgz
Open MCX354A-FCB_A2-A5.ini and change the psid to "IBM1090111019" (this makes the vanilla card an oem card again!)
Create the new binary:
Code:
mlxburn -fw fw-ConnectX3-rel.mlx -conf MCX354A-FCB_A2-A5.ini -wrimage MCX354A-FCBT_2.42.5032.bin
Flash this firmware:
Code:
 flint -d mt4103_pci_cr0 -i MCX354A-FCBT_2.42.5032.bin -allow_psid_change burn
Restart the server
Download the lenovo update package from Mellanox Firmware for Windows - Lenovo Support US and extract it
Run mlxup and update to 2.42.5032

Not sure if somebody else wants an ibm branded mellanox nic with a hp(e) serial number :D
 
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dazagrt

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Mar 1, 2021
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Hi guys, I'm new and seeking a bit of help regarding some NICs I just picked up.

They were meant to be a pull from a Dell Isilon H400 and are supposed to be Mellanox Connect X-3 CX312C Pro Dual 10Gb SFP+ Build sticker says 23/01/2019
I'll just dump what I know and maybe someone could tell me what I'm looking for as far as heritage and what firmware I should be using into the future. Thanks.

PS > .\mlxup.exe
Querying Mellanox devices firmware ...
Device #1:
----------

Device Type: ConnectX3Pro
Part Number: 105-000-855-00_Ax
Description: Mellanox 2x10Gb Ethernet CAN
PSID: EMC0000000002
PCI Device Name: mt4103_pci_cr0
Port1 MAC: 98039be7xxxx
Port2 MAC: 98039be7xxxx
Versions: Current Available
FW 2.40.5030 N/A
PXE 3.4.0746 N/A

Status: No matching image found

PS > mlxburn -query -dev mt4103_pci_cr0
-I- Image type: FS2
-I- FW Version: 2.40.5030
-I- FW Release Date: 4.1.2017
-I- Rom Info: type=PXE version=3.4.746
-I- Device ID: 4103
-I- Description: Node Port1 Port2 Sys image
-I- GUIDs: ffffffffffffffff ffffffffffffffff ffffffffffffffff ffffffffffffffff
-I- MACs: 98039be7xxxx 98039be7xxxx
-I- VSD:
-I- PSID: EMC0000000002

It's the same info I know, just from different ways around. I'm just used to mlxup.exe
Is there a way to tell if they are Dells or just vanilla 312C-Pros?
Thanks for any help :)