Review Request: HP Flex IO 10Gbit module

[John T Davis]

Thanks!

My goal was to lower the temps a bit after getting iGPU passthrough working with my 12-700T (they were pushing 70 C-- not terrible for a 100 C TJ max CPU, but I thought I could do better, especially since I'm barely utilizing the non-GPU part of the CPU).

I bought one of HP's vertical stands for their mini PCs for about $14 (see: HP Desktop Mini Chassis Tower Stand EliteDesk & ProDesk 747923-001 G1K23AA | eBay), and now I'm seeing temps under the same load of 59-62 C. Much better.

 

[argiebargie83]

I’m having trouble with this in my Elitedesk 800 G6 SFF. The receptacle on the motherboard has one socket (which previously came with a DisplayPort adapter) while the 10gb card has two connectors. It seems to not be able to mate correctly on my board. Does everyone else have the two ports?

Edit: looks like it's not compatible with an SFF form factor that only has one port (of the two required for this type of Flex IO v2 module). Looks like I'll have to give up a PCIE slot for 10gb and find another device to use this module with.

Did you ever find a resolution to this issue? I have exactly the same issue. I've got 2x EliteDesk 800 G6 SFF and I want to get 10G-BaseT networking installed - preferably dual port but that's not absolutely necessary.

I've tried installing an old Intel X540-T2 NIC but it only transfers at 1GbE speeds. When I go into BIOS, it doesn't look like the card is recognised in any of the BIOS menus.

I'm guessing that I need to get some kind of HP specific 10GbE card, and I was also looking at the Flex IO V2 module but it looks like you already tried this without success.

cheers,
A

 

[legit]

Did you ever find a resolution to this issue? I have exactly the same issue. I've got 2x EliteDesk 800 G6 SFF and I want to get 10G-BaseT networking installed - preferably dual port but that's not absolutely necessary.

I've tried installing an old Intel X540-T2 NIC but it only transfers at 1GbE speeds. When I go into BIOS, it doesn't look like the card is recognised in any of the BIOS menus.

I'm guessing that I need to get some kind of HP specific 10GbE card, and I was also looking at the Flex IO V2 module but it looks like you already tried this without success.

cheers,
A

I went with an Aquantia-based 10G SFP+ NIC (Amazon.com), partly because they seem to run much cooler than other NICs meant for servers with a ton of fans. My network stack has primarily SFP+ ports so I can use DACs rather than 10GBase-T. For my Elite mini G9 which is where I parked this adapter, I do use an SFP+ RJ-45 adapter and it runs pretty warm.

 

[maxermaxer]

I bought this HP 10Gb Ethernet Flex IO 56Q71AA from B&H Photo hoping that it would fit my HP elitemini 800G9. Sadly it doesn't fit. The heatsink and the chip module collides with the CPU heatsink and there is no room to fit. It seems HP has changed the design but still use the 56Q71AA as the model name. Does anyone have the 1st gen 56Q71AA 10Gb Ethernet Flex IO NIC?

 

[louie1961]

I have that same module and it fit fine in my elitedesk 800 G9. what part of the module is hitting the CPU heat sink? It sounds like maybe you don't have it aligned correctly?

 

[maxermaxer]

Indeed I took a careful look and I feel that B&H might have sent a wrong model ... It looks like this. The model number printed on the board is FMB2213A. I didn't se any model number 56Q71AA.

High-Res photos

Click above for clear photo.

 

[maxermaxer]

I have that same module and it fit fine in my elitedesk 800 G9. what part of the module is hitting the CPU heat sink? It sounds like maybe you don't have it aligned correctly?

Thanks! Mine is elitemini 800 G9. It is not "desk". They are different models.

 

[louie1961]

I think you have the correct model but maybe with the heat sink on backwards, or the wrong heat sink. Here's what mine looks like

 

[maxermaxer]

I think you have the correct model but maybe with the heat sink on backwards, or the wrong heat sink. Here's what mine looks like



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Thank you very much for taking the effort to share the photo! The difference I can see is that mine doesn't have the corner cut indicated in the photo below. That's the part that collides with CPU heatsink. I also took a further look and noticed this model is only compatible with HP Z2 Mini G5/G9 which has a bigger chassis.

Would you mind sharing here or PM me where you get this 10Gb card? It is so hard to get.

Thanks again!

 

[John T Davis]

I got my 10GbE NIC from B&H as well, and it fit perfectly, as @louie1961 showed. That said, it was … difficult … to get it in. There's not a lot of room there, and it takes a scary amount of force compared to an actual PCIe slot.

I'd open an RMA with B&H; they sent you the wrong model.

 

[louie1961]

Here's where I got it: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1750459-REG/hp_56q71aa_10gbase_t_flex_i_o.html

Also see this write up: https://www.servethehome.com/hp-flex-io-v2-10gbase-t-module-56q71aa-for-1l-pcs-marvell/

 

[maxermaxer]

Here's where I got it: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1750459-REG/hp_56q71aa_10gbase_t_flex_i_o.html

Also see this write up: https://www.servethehome.com/hp-flex-io-v2-10gbase-t-module-56q71aa-for-1l-pcs-marvell/

Interesting, this is exactly where I ordered. Even more interesting when I emailed them to ask if they sent me the wrong model they replied as below:



I also found this post which is exactly what I am encounting now:

HP 600 G9 Mini with Flex IO for 10GB Ethernet: Wrong "size" of FlexIO delivered (56Q71AA)

Hey guys, I am running a HP 600 G9 Mini and, similar to the guys over at servethehome, wanted to add 10 GBits Ethernet to it. HP provides the 56Q71AA Card for that with Marvel chip, which should be FlexIO V2. Well I ordered this over here in germany, there are now after 1 year plenty available...

h30434.www3.hp.com

In this STH article (the write up Louie1961 mentioned), someone left a message:



So does it mean HP has stopped producing this NIC?

 

[John T Davis]

Ugh. That's horrible news.

Yes. It sounds like they stopped producing the specific NIC that fits in this unit, created a new unit, and gave it the same part number.

Cripes. Sorry to hear this. Can you still return the NIC to B&H? You'll need to find one with the physical footprint

I can't blame HP for halting production on an old, niche NIC, but I can blame them for not changing the model number.

 

[maxermaxer]

Ugh. That's horrible news.

Yes. It sounds like they stopped producing the specific NIC that fits in this unit, created a new unit, and gave it the same part number.

Cripes. Sorry to hear this. Can you still return the NIC to B&H? You'll need to find one with the physical footprint

I can't blame HP for halting production on an old, niche NIC, but I can blame them for not changing the model number.

Thanks! Yes I did RMA it. It is on the way back to B&H. Meanwhile I will search for it from the local second hand market. You are right. Not changing the model number creates a lot of confusion. It shouldn't happen

 

[platypus]

The same exact thing happened to me -- ordered the HP Flex IO V2 10Gbase T Module 56Q71AA module from BHPhoto and they sent me a new revision. Note the square shape of the board; the missing cutout in one of the corners prevents it from fitting in-place. Also note that the RJ45 is a little left of center on this new revision, whereas it was right of center in the original revision of this board.

Interestingly, mine has a complete different heatsink than @maxermaxer. Here are images I took of the 10GbE RJ45 NIC I received. (I tried uploading images directly to STH forums but it was complaining about the file size; not sure about that because my files were less than 2MB each).

I'm going to go ahead and RMA mine, but the way HP is updating the device by switching to literally a new board without changing the part number feels insidious. At the very least it should've been a variant on that model/part number. I also couldn't identify the part number on the PCB itself -- maybe I glazed over it and someone can identify it from my photos.

 

[Packetmask]

I stumbled across this post while searching for vendors who might still have the "older" 56Q71AA footprint. I ordered 4 pcs from BHPhoto and received the same model with a new footprint. It is impossible to fit it in the HP mini PC so I also initiated an RMA.

If anyone have luck on finding a seller that still carries the "older" model with that cutout in the corner, please keep us updated.

Thanks!

 

[John T Davis]

This is really a shame. I have to admit that as great as a box this is for Proxmox, I'd never have bought it if there wasn't a 10 GbE option.

A barebones MS-01 is definitely the way to go now, I think.

 

[ie716]

Does anyone know if the 56Q71AA 10G module works in a Z2 mini G5? It’s not officially listed as compatible on HPs website but maybe someone has tried it? The z2 I was planning to install it on already has a Quadro2k GPU installed if that matters.