===================================================================== Intel NIC Family Version 18.3.6 ESXi Firmware Update Package ===================================================================== Intel NIC Family ESXi Firmware Update Package must be used to update Option ROM and EEPROM to version 18.3.6 on ESXi. NOTE: FW updates require update to the corresponding family version of the drivers, and vice versa. NOTE: The base driver must be loaded for the Firmware Update Package to function correctly. NOTE: Downgrading Intel adapter firmware to versions prior to 18.0.0 via Lifecycle Controller or iDRAC is not supported on iDRAC9 and iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller v3.00.00.00 and newer. NOTE: On multi-port cards based on the Intel(R) X710/XL710/XXV710 controller, only one of the port’s execution results are written to the log because all ports share the same results. NOTE: If upgrading X710/XL710/XXV710 adapters via Lifecycle Controller, be sure to upgrade the Lifecycle Controller firmware version to 2.15.15.15 or newer. NOTE: FW downgrade on X710/XL710/XXV710 devices is not recommended, as the FW and SW versions must be synchronized. - FW downgrade from FW 18.3.6 to older firmware versions using the FW DUP executable package in an OS is not supported. Workaround: Use the Lifecycle Controller or iDRAC to downgrade firmware. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Do one of the following procedures to update the firmware on Intel network adapters: - Option A: OS Method 1. Run ESXi Firmware Update Package 18.3.6 on the supported ESXi OS 2. Reboot the system as instructed - Option B: Lifecycle Controller Method 1. Upgrade the Lifecycle Controller firmware to version 2.15.15.15 or newer and reboot 2. Upgrade the Intel network adapters to 18.3.6 via Lifecycle Controller Note: If there is an attempt to upgrade the Intel network adapter firmware version to 18.3.6 via Lifecycle Controller Firmware older than 2.15.15.15, the firmware upgrade attempt may fail. ====================== Software Compatibility ====================== This release of firmware supports the following Network Adapters: Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 2P X710-k bNDC Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 4P X710 SFP+ rNDC Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 4P X710/I350 rNDC Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 4P X710-k bNDC Intel(R) Ethernet 10G X710-k bNDC Intel(R) Ethernet 10G X710 rNDC Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X710 Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter XL710-Q2 Intel(R) Ethernet 40G 2P XL710 QSFP+ rNDC Intel(R) Gigabit 4P X710/I350 rNDC Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X710-T Intel(R) Ethernet 25G 2P XXV710 Adapter Intel(R) Ethernet Network Adapter XXV710 =========================================== Release Version Information for Adapters =========================================== Intel(R) Gigabit 4P X710/I350 rNDC -------------------------------------------- Intel Boot Agent 1.5.85 EFI Driver 7.9.01 Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 2P X710-k bNDC Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 4P X710 SFP+ rNDC Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 4P X710/I350 rNDC Intel(R) Ethernet 10G 4P X710-k bNDC Intel(R) Ethernet 10G X710 rNDC Intel(R) Ethernet 10G X710-k bNDC Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X710 Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter XL710-Q2 Intel(R) Ethernet 40G 2P XL710 QSFP+ rNDC Intel(R) Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X710-T Intel(R) Ethernet 25G 2P XXV710 Adapter Intel(R) Ethernet Network Adapter XXV710 -------------------------------------------- Intel Boot Agent 1.0.66 EFI Driver 2.6.09 Release Version Information Common ================================== iSCSI Boot ROM 3.1.29 CLP Loader Option ROM 3.0.89 40G interface 1.0.53 ================================================== Changes from Previous FW Update Package ================================================== Previous release: 18.0.17 Current release: 18.3.6 =================== NVM Version =================== Previous version: 5.40 Current release: 6.00 =================== Option ROM Changes =================== EFI Driver Previous version: 1G v7.4.30 , 10G/40G v2.1.02 Current release: 1G v7.9.01 , 10G/40G v2.6.09 Intel Boot Agent Previous version: 1G v1.5.83 , 10G/40G v1.0.54 Current release: 1G v1.5.85 , 10G/40G v1.0.66 iSCSI Boot Previous version: v3.1.13 Current release: v3.1.29 CLP Loader Option ROM Previous version: v3.0.75 Current release: v3.0.89 40G interface Previous version: v1.0.46 Current release: v1.0.53 =================== Enhancements =================== - Updated warning and error messages for optics not meeting thermal requirements. - Added support for Intel(R) Ethernet 25G 2P XXV710 Adapter, a dual port 25G SFP28 low profile/full height adapter.   =================== Fixes =================== - Fixed problem with driver failing to install on Intel(R) X710 virtual functions in guest operating systems installed on ESXi virtual machines. To apply the fix, do the following: 1. Update the firmware via the operating system (not the Lifecycle Controller or iDRAC) 2. In the BIOS, change Virtualization Mode from “NPar + SR-IOV” to “None” 3. Reboot the system 4. In the BIOS, change Virtualization Mode from “None” to “NPar + SR-IOV” - Fixed issue with rollback functionality in iDRAC9 with Lifecycle Controller not working for the Intel devices supported by this package. - Fixed PXE boot failure on Intel(R) Ethernet Adapter X710-T when VLAN is enabled. - Fixed issue with Intel(R) X710 adapter failing to link at 1Gb with 1GbE optical transceiver. - Fixed issue with partitions on X710 adapters being displayed in iDRAC even when they were disabled. - Fixed issue with Intel(R) X710 based devices displaying incorrect value of 0 for "PCI Virtual Functions Advertised" after resetting the value to default. - Fixed issue with long boot times in UEFI boot mode with PXE server with Intel(R) X710 adapters. - Fixed issue with X710/XL710 devices in which communication was lost when flow control was disabled and system was warm rebooted for both sender and receiver system. =================== Known Issues =================== - X710/XXV710 device loses connectivity when changing number of VM queues multiple (16+) times while NPAR/SR-IOV is enabled Workaround: Reboot the system =================== Legal / Disclaimers =================== Copyright (C) 2002-2017, Intel Corporation. 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