[RFE] IEO to help manage link type using EPCT or other tooling

[novacain1]

The Intel Ethernet Port Configuration (EPCT) tool is a command line utility used to change the link type of devices. It's Intel hosted URL is here: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19435/ethernet-port-configuration-tool-all-supported-oss.html

These links are often critical in certain customer environments where lower link speeds along with proper cabling connected to QSFP+ ports requires reconfiguration where the defaults (2x1x100 Gbps) isn't applicable.

Example execution in my enviornment where only 2 nic interfaces show up (ens1f0 and ens1f1):

# ./epct64e -nic=1 -get
Ethernet Port Configuration Tool
EPCT version: v1.39.05.05
Copyright 2019 - 2022 Intel Corporation.

Available Port Options:
==========================================================================
        Port                             Quad 0           Quad 1          
Option  Option (Gbps)                    L0  L1  L2  L3   L4  L5  L6  L7  
======= =============================    ================ ================
Active  2x1x100                       -> 100   -   -   -  100   -   -   -
        8x10                          ->  10  10  10  10   10  10  10  10

Warning: Any changes to the port option configuration will require a reboot before the device will function correctly.

All actions succeeded.

# ./epct64e -nic=1 -set 8x10
Ethernet Port Configuration Tool
EPCT version: v1.39.05.05
Copyright 2019 - 2022 Intel Corporation.

New configuration was set: 8x10
Restart the system to apply the changes.

The port options have changed for this device. You must reboot for the device to function correctly.

All actions succeeded.
[root@du1-fec1 ~]# shutdown -r now

After rebooting the system:

# ip addr list | grep ens1f
4: ens1f0: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state DOWN group default qlen 1000
7: ens1f1: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state DOWN group default qlen 1000
8: ens1f2: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state UP group default qlen 1000
9: ens1f3: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state UP group default qlen 1000
10: ens1f4: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state DOWN group default qlen 1000
11: ens1f5: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state DOWN group default qlen 1000
12: ens1f6: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state DOWN group default qlen 1000
13: ens1f7: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state DOWN group default qlen 1000`

Is it a future roadmap item of the Intel Ethernet Operator to manage cards port mode? If not, can we register an RFE? I think it would be a fantastic add-on to have the Operator manage this and have the ability to manipulate this in a cloud-native & declarative fashion.

[rafal-lal]

Sorry for late response. Support for this functionality had been added to our backlog and it might make it to the next release, although it's not 100% guaranteed.

[rafal-lal]

I'll leave this issue opened and update it when we have more specific information on this.