nevinskas/xl710-unlocker

xl710-unlocker

This repo explains how to unlock X710 to accept any SFP module. Symptom by connecting non-intel SFP module:

i40e 0000:04:00.1: Rx/Tx is disabled on this device because an unsupported SFP module type was detected.
i40e 0000:04:00.1: Refer to the Intel(R) Ethernet Adapters and Devices User Guide for a list of supported modules.

This tool was tested on X710-DA2 card.

Update firmware

Use intel NVM utility to upgrade firmware. I was using nvmupdatepackage_v8_40 and upgraded x710-2DA to 8.64 firmware.

Reading eeprom and finding registers

First tool to use is mytool.c. Replace FILL_ME_IN with correct values, build and read eeprom to file:

./mytool 0 0x8000 > eeprom.txt

Open eeprom.txt and find 4 values 000b: it should be in around range of 0x6800-0x7000 and offset between 000b values should be around 0xb-0xf.

In my case 000b was at 0x6947 and offset between values 0xe.

Poking values

It seems that the important register is floating around in eeprom. Basically it should be:

• 11 bit enabled register value
• The same offset from the 000b value.
• 4 identical register values

In my case it was 0x1 form 000b value, at: 0x6948, 0x6956, 0x6964, 0x6972. The value was 0x6b0c.

Replace FILL_ME_IN with gathered values, build and run.

After successful poke, reboot the machine.

Useful links

Original repo

Mailing message explained

GH issue