Networking ESXi Driver User Manual
Networking ESXi Driver User Manual
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Configuration Manager

The configuration manager is used to apply device configurations in bulk using predefined configuration profiles. These profiles help ensure correct and optimal device operation.

Applying a Profile with nmlxcli

Use the following command:

Bash
<nmlxcli path> --sbdf <sbdf> --nv-config-profile <profile number>

Or, using the shortform:

Bash
<nmlxcli path> -x <sbdf> -w <profile number>

Options

-w, --nv-config-profile

Specifies the configuration profile to apply:

  • 0 – DEFAULT — device default configuration

  • 1 – DPU — for BlueField-3 devices operating in DPU mode

  • 2 – BF_AS_CX — for BlueField-3 devices operating in NIC mode

  • 3 – CX — for ConnectX-6 Dx, ConnectX-6 Lx, ConnectX-7, and ConnectX-8 devices

-x, --sbdf

Specifies the SBDF/PCI address corresponding to PF0.

Example:

0000:4b:00.0

Do not use the address of another PF (e.g. 0000:4b:00.1)

Applying a Profile with mlxconfig

mlxconfig requires MFT tools (not bundled with nmlxcli or the driver). For a complete configuration, nmlxcli provides a simpler solution with the configuration manager.

When applying profiles with mlxconfig, the order of operations remains the same as with nmlxcli.

To reset the device configuration to its default values, run:

Bash
<mlxconfig path> -d <sbdf or mst_device> reset

To apply a complete configuration profile, each required configuration must be set explicitly:

Bash
<mlxconfig path> -d <sbdf or mst_device> set <CONFIG1>=<VALUE1> <CONFIG2>=<VALUE2> ...

The exact configurations for each profile are specified below.

Order of Operations

CX Profile

  1. Reset configurations to their default values.

  2. Set the CX profile configurations.

  3. Power cycle the system.

BF_AS_CX Profile

  1. Configure the device to operate in NIC mode.

  2. Reset configurations to their default values.

  3. Set the BF_AS_CX profile configurations.

  4. Power cycle the system.

DPU Profile

  1. Configure the device to operate in DPU mode.

  2. Reset configurations to their default values.

  3. Set the DPU profile configurations on the host side.

  4. Set the DPU profile configurations on the DPU side.

  5. Power cycle the system.

Notes:

  • Resetting configurations can be done by applying the DEFAULT profile with nmlxcli, or by running the reset command with mlxconfig.

  • With nmlxcli, the required profile values can be applied using a single command.

  • With mlxconfig, each configuration must be set explicitly, and per-PF configurations must be applied on every relevant PF.

Individual configuration values

These settings are applied automatically by the Config Manager and do not require manual application.

This section is relevant for reference, or if the user is using MFT tools to configure their setup instead of using the Config Manager.

CX Profile Configurations

Global: Apply Once

Configuration

Value

Notes

PF_BAR2_ENABLE

0


PF_BAR2_SIZE

0


PER_PF_NUM_SF

1


SRIOV_EN

1


PF_NUM_OF_VF_VALID

1


NUM_PF_MSIX

127


LAG_RESOURCE_ALLOCATION

1

Pre-Alloc

VF_MIGRATION_MODE

2

Enable

UPT_EMULATION_ENABLE

1

ConnectX-7 and ConnectX-8 only

Physical Port: Apply Once

Configuration

Value

Notes

LLDP_NB_RX_MODE_P1 / LLDP_NB_RX_MODE_P2

2

All

LLDP_NB_TX_MODE_P1 / LLDP_NB_TX_MODE_P2

2

All

LINK_TYPE_P1 / LINK_TYPE_P2

2

Ethernet

Per PF: Apply on All PFs

Configuration

Value

Notes

PF_SF_BAR_SIZE

10


PF_TOTAL_SF

1

ConnectX-6 Dx, ConnectX-6 Lx

PF_TOTAL_SF

65

ConnectX-7, ConnectX-8

PF_NUM_OF_VF

8

ConnectX-6 Dx, ConnectX-6 Lx

PF_NUM_OF_VF

64

ConnectX-7, ConnectX-8

BF_AS_CX Profile Configurations

Global: Apply Once

Configuration

Value

Notes

PF_BAR2_ENABLE

0


PF_BAR2_SIZE

0


PER_PF_NUM_SF

1


SRIOV_EN

1


PF_NUM_OF_VF_VALID

1


NUM_PF_MSIX

127


LAG_RESOURCE_ALLOCATION

1

Pre-Alloc

VF_MIGRATION_MODE

2

Enable

UPT_EMULATION_ENABLE

1


INTERNAL_CPU_OFFLOAD_ENGINE

1

Disabled

INTERNAL_CPU_RSHIM

1

Disabled

Physical Port: Apply Once

Configuration

Value

Notes

LLDP_NB_RX_MODE_P1 / LLDP_NB_RX_MODE_P2

2

All

LLDP_NB_TX_MODE_P1 / LLDP_NB_TX_MODE_P2

2

All

LINK_TYPE_P1 / LINK_TYPE_P2

2

Ethernet

Per PF: Apply on All PFs

Configuration

Value

PF_SF_BAR_SIZE

10

PF_TOTAL_SF

65

PF_NUM_OF_VF

64

DPU Profile Configurations

Global: Apply Once

Configuration

Value

Notes

PF_BAR2_ENABLE

0


PF_BAR2_SIZE

0


PER_PF_NUM_SF

1


SRIOV_EN

1


PF_NUM_OF_VF_VALID

1


NUM_PF_MSIX

127


LAG_RESOURCE_ALLOCATION

1

Pre-Alloc

VF_MIGRATION_MODE

2

Enable

UPT_EMULATION_ENABLE

1


INTERNAL_CPU_OFFLOAD_ENGINE

0

Enabled

DPA_AUTHENTICATION

1


NUM_OF_PF

N+1

N = default number of PFs

Physical Port: Apply Once

Configuration

Value

Notes

LLDP_NB_RX_MODE_P1 / LLDP_NB_RX_MODE_P2

2

All

LLDP_NB_TX_MODE_P1 / LLDP_NB_TX_MODE_P2

2

All

LINK_TYPE_P1 / LINK_TYPE_P2

2

Ethernet

Host-Side PF Configurations

Apply the following on all host-side PFs, except the communication channel PF, which is PF #N.

Configuration

Value

PF_TOTAL_SF

65

PF_SF_BAR_SIZE

10

PF_NUM_OF_VF

64

PF_DEVICE_ID_ENABLE

0

SILENT_MODE

0

PORT_OWNER

1

DPU-Side ECPF Configurations

Apply the following on all DPU-side ECPFs, except the communication channel ECPF, which is ECPF #N.

Configuration

Value

PF_TOTAL_SF

1

PF_SF_BAR_SIZE

10

PF_NUM_OF_VF

0

PF_DEVICE_ID_ENABLE

0

SILENT_MODE

0

PORT_OWNER

1

Communication Channel Configuration

Apply the following on PF #N on the host and ECPF #N on the DPU.

Configuration

Value

PF_TOTAL_SF

0

PF_SF_BAR_SIZE

0

PF_NUM_OF_VF

0

PF_DEVICE_ID_ENABLE

1

PF_DEVICE_ID

0xC2D1

SILENT_MODE

1

PORT_OWNER

0

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