NVIDIA Firmware Tools (MFT) Documentation v4.18.0
NVIDIA ConnectX-5 Adapter Cards Firmware Release Notes v16.35.3502 LTS

mlxlink Utility

The mlxlink tool is used to check and debug link status and issues related to them. The tool can be used on different links and cables (passive, active, transceiver and backplane).

Warning
  • In order for mlxlink to function properly, make sure to update the firmware version to the latest version.

  • mlxlink is intended for advanced users with appropriate technical background.

  • Do not use mlxlink to disable the port connecting between the host and the unmanaged switch using (“--port_state dn”) flag.

  • mlxlink errors, warnings and notes are printed on stderr console.

  • Setting the speeds (50GbE, 100GbE and 200GbE) for the new devices (NVIDIA Connect-X 6 and above, NVIDIA Quantum switches and above) requires specifying the number of lanes for the speed: mlxlink -d <dev> --speeds [50G_2X | 50G_1X | 100G_2X | 100G_4X | 200G_4X].

To run mlxlink:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink [OPTIONS]

where:

Options:

-h |--help

Display help message.

-v |--version

Display version info.

-d |--device <device>

Perform operation for a specified mst device

-p |--port <port_number>

Port Number

--port_type <port_type>

Port Type [NETWORK(Default)/PCIE/OOB]

--depth <depth>

Depth level of the DUT of some hierarchy (valid for PCIe port type only)

--pcie_index <pcie_index>

PCIe index number (Internal domain index) (valid for PCIe port type only)

--node <node>

The node within each depth (valid for PCIe port type only)

--json

Print the output in JSON format

Queries:

--show_links

Show valid PCIe links (valid for PCIe port type only)

-m |--show_module

Show Module Info

-c |--show_counters

Show Physical Counters and BER Info

-e |--show_eye

Show Eye Opening Info

--show_fec

Show FEC Capabilities

--show_serdes_tx

Show Transmitter Info

--show_tx_group_map <group_num>

Display all label ports mapped to group <group_num> (for NVIDIA Spectrum-2 and NVIDIA Quantum devices).

--show_device

General Device Info

--show_ber_monitor

Show BER Monitor Info.

Note: The flag is not supported in HCAs.

--show_external_phy

Show External PHY Info

Note: The flag is supported in NVIDIA Spectrum switch systems only.

Commands:

-a |--port_state <port_state>

Configure Port State [UP(up)/DN(down)/TG(toggle)]

-s |--speeds <speeds>

Configure Speeds [speed1,speed2,...]

--link_mode_force

Configure Link Mode Force (Disable AN)

-l |--loopback <loopback>

Configure Loopback Mode [NO(No Loopback)/PH(phy loopback)/EX(external loopback)]

-k |--fec <fec_override>

Configure FEC [AU(Auto)/NF(No-FEC)/FC(FireCode FEC)/ RS(RS-FEC)]

--fec_speed <fec_speed>

Speed to Configure FEC [100G/50G/25G/...] (Default is Active Speed)

--serdes_tx <params>

Configure Transmitter Parameters [polarity,ob_tap0,...]

--serdes_tx_lane <transmitter_lane>

Transmitter Lane to Set (Optional - Default All Lanes)

--database

Save Transmitter Configuration for Current Speed Permanently (Optional)

--tx_group_map <group_num>

Map ports to group <group_num> (for NVIDIA Spectrum-2 and NVIDIA Quantum devices)

--ports <ports>

Ports to be mapped [1,2,3,4..]

--test_mode <prbs_mode>

Physical Test Mode Configuration [EN(enable)/DS(disable)/TU(perform tuning)]

--rx_prbs <rx_prbs_mode>

RX PRBS Mode [PRBS31(Default)/PRBS7/...] (Optional - Default PRBS31)

--tx_prbs <tx_prbs_mode>

TX PRBS Mode [PRBS31(Default)/PRBS7/...] (Optional - Default PRBS31)

--rx_rate <rx_lane_rate>

RX Lane Rate [EDR(Default)/25G/10G/...] (Optional - Default 25G)

--tx_rate <tx_lane_rate>

TX Lane Rate [EDR(Default)/25G/10G/...] (Optional - Default 25G)

--invert_tx_polarity

PRBS TX polarity inversion (Optional - Default No Inversion)

--invert_rx_polarity

PRBS RX polarity inversion (Optional - Default No Inversion)

--lanes

PRBS lanes to set (one or more lane separated by comma)[0,1,2,...]

Optional: Default all lanes

-b |--ber_collect <csv_file>

Port Extended Information Collection [CSV File]

--amber_collect <csv_file>

AmBER Port Extended Information Collection For 16nm Products and Later [CSV File]

--ber_limit <limit_criteria>

BER Limit Criteria [Nominal(Default)/Corner/Drift] (Optional - Default Nominal)

--iteration <iteration>

Iteration Number of BER Collection

--pc

Clear Counters

--set_external_phy

Set External PHY

Note: The flag is supported in NVIDIA Spectrum switch systems only.

--twisted_pair_force_mode <twisted_pair_force_mode>

Twisted Pair Force Mode [MA(Master)/SL(Slave)]

--cable

Perform operations on the cables

--dump

Dump cable pages in raw format

--ddm

Get cable Digital Diagnostic Monitoring information

--read

Perform read operation from specific page

--length <length>

Length of data to read in bytes (Optional - Default 1 byte)

--page <pageNum>

Specific page number to read/write

--offset <offset>

Specific page offset to read/write

--write <bytes>

Perform write operation with specific data (list of bytes, separated by ',')

--margin

Read the SerDes eye margins per lane

--measure_time <time>

Measure time in seconds for single eye [10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 240, 480, 600 and 900] (Optional - Default 60 for PCIe and 30 for Network ports)

--eye_select <eye_sel>

Eye selection for PAM4 [UP, MID, DOWN, ALL] (Default ALL)

--lane <lane_index>

Run eye for specific lane index (Default all lanes)

--rx_error_injection

Enable the RX link deterioration

--mixer_offset0 <value>

Fine change to the center of the eye [0x0 to 0x7ff]

--mixer_offset1 <value>

Coarse change to the center of the eye [0x0 to 0x3ff]

--show_mixers_offset

Show mixer offset 0 and mixer offset 1

--rx_fec_histogram

Provide histogram of FEC errors. The result is divided to bins. Each bin is holding different number of errored bit within FEC protected block

--show_histogram

Show FEC errors histogram

--clear_histogram

Clears FEC errors histograms

--yes

Non-interactive mode, answer yes to all questions

Examples:

Get info of <device>, <port_number>:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> -p <port_number>

Get info of <device>, <port_number> and BER Counters:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> -p <port_number> -c

Get info of <device>, <port_number> and Transmitter Parameters:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> -p <port_number> --show_serdes_tx

Configure Port State:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> -p <port_number> --port_state UP

Configure Port Speeds:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> -p <port_number> --speeds 25G,50G,100G

Configure FEC:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> -p <port_number> --fec RS

Configure Port for Physical Test Mode:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> -p <port_number> --test_mode EN (--rx_prbs PRBS31 --rx_rate 25G --tx_prbs PRBS7 --tx_rate 10G --invert_rx_polarity --invert_tx_polarity)

Perform PRBS Tuning:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> -p <port_number> --test_mode TU

Warning

RX and TX lane rates for new devices includes the PAM4 speeds (50G_1X and 100G_2X)
eg: mlxlink -d <device> --test_mode EN --rx_rate [normal speeds | 50G_1X | 100G_2X] --tx_rate [normal speeds | 50G_1X | 100G_2X]

Warning

The PRBS pattern that is configured in PAM4 rates is PRBSQ.

Cable operations:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> --cable [Options]

Dump cable EEPROM pages:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> --cable --dump

Get cable DDM info:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> --cable --ddm

Read from cable:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> --cable --read --page <page number> --offset <bytes offset> --length <number of bytes>

Write to cable:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> --cable --write <bytes separated by comma> --page <page number> --offset <bytes offset>

Configure Transmitter Parameters (on lane, to database):

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> -p <port_number> --serdes_tx <polar- ity>,<ob_tap0>,<ob_tap1>,<ob_tap2>,<ob_bias>,<ob_preemp_mode>,<ob_reg>,<ob_leva> (--serdes_tx_lane <lane number>) (--database)

Configure Transmitter Parameters for 16nm devices:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> -p <port_number> --serdes_tx <pre_2_tap>,<pre_tap>,<main_tap>,<post_tap>,<ob_m2lp>,<ob_amp>

Getting PCIe links info:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d /dev/mst/mt41682_pciconf0 --port_type PCIE --show_links Valid PCIe Links ---------------- : depth, pcie_index, node, port Link 1 : 3, 0, 0, 60 Link 2 : 3, 0, 1, 61 Link 3 : 3, 0, 2, 62 ..

To query information for a specific link, the depth, pcie_index and node for the link must be specified:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d /dev/mst/mt41682_pciconf0 --port_type PCIE --depth 3 --pcie_index 0 --node 1 --show_serdes_tx --show_eye PCIe Operational (Enabled) Info ------------------------------- Depth, pcie index, node : 3, 0, 1 Link Speed Active (Enabled) : 8G-Gen 3 (16G-Gen 4) Link Width Active (Enabled) : 2X (16X) Device Status : N/A EYE Opening Info (PCIe) ----------------------- Physical Grade : 84, 84 Height Eye Opening [mV] : 1194, 1194 Phase Eye Opening [psec] : 84, 84 Serdes Tuning Transmitter Info (PCIe) ------------------------------------- : Pol,tap0,tap1,tap2,bias,preemp_mode,reg,leva Lane 0 : 1,0,114,6,15,1,11,9 Lane 1 : 0,0,116,4,15,1,11,9

To print the output in JSON format:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d <device> --show_module --json

To show ports group map (for NVIDIA Quantum and NVIDIA Spectrum-2):

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink –d<device> --show_tx_group_map 0

To assign ports to a specific group on NVIDIA Quantum and NVIDIA Spectrum-2

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink –d <device> --tx_group_map 1 –ports 1,2,3,5,4,8,7,8,9,10,11

To show histogram of FEC errors:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d /dev/mst/mt4125_pciconf0 --rx_fec_histogram --show_histogram

To clear histogram:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d /dev/mst/mt4125_pciconf0 --rx_fec_histogram --clear_histogram

The margin scan tool is used for scanning PCIe or Network ports [EDR\25G or HDR\PAM4 speeds].

Warning

If the margin scan fails with this message (Eye scan not completed), perform a reboot and run the scan again.

To enable the margin scan with measure time 10 seconds:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink –d <device> --port_type PCIE –margin –measure_time 10

To enable the margin scan for Multi-host or Socket Direct systems through:

  • depth, pcie_index and node:

    Copy
    Copied!
                

    Mlxlink –d <device> --port_type PCIE –depth 0 –pcie_index 1 –node 0 –margin –measure_time 30

  • The local port (it can be shown by the –show_links command):

    Copy
    Copied!
                

    Mlxlink –d <device> --port_type PCIE –port 1 –margin –measure_time 10

Allows modifying the Eye Center capability by changing the mixer_offset0 (fine change) and mixer_offset1 (coarse change) flags for 28nm products to produce RX errors.

Flags Usage

  • To change the values of mixers:

    Copy
    Copied!
                

    mlxlink -d /dev/mst/mt4117_pciconf0 --rx_error_injection --mixer_offset0 0x200 --mixer_offset1 0x305

    Warning

    Modifying mixer_offset0 and mixer_offset1 flags can change the Eye Center and might cause link degradation.

  • To query the mixers values:

    Copy
    Copied!
                

    mlxlink -d /dev/mst/mt4117_pciconf0 --rx_erro r_injection --show_mixers_offset

When using mlxlink tool with NIC, notice that the "label_port" flag -p should not be used. To address different ports please use different mst devices.

For example:

To address port 1 in ConnectX-4 use:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d /dev/mst/mt4115_pciconf0

To address port 2 use:

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d /dev/mst/mt4115_pciconf0.1

Warning
  • Any mlxlink command for switch should include the "-p" flag to address the specific port in the switch.

  • When working with the NIC, if an MTUSB is used for communication with the NVIDIA NIC, to address port 2, use mlxlink -d /dev/mst/mt4115_pciconf0 --gvmi_address
    <0xAddress>.

Using mlxlink on NVIDIA Quantum HDR based switch systems split ports if the split port number is not provided by the ibdiagnet tool:

Copy
Copied!
            

Mlxlink -d lid-<LID> -p <formula>

Formula:

In case of 2X port:

  • 1- port_num = round_down[(Iblinkinfo_port_num + 1)*0.5]

  • 2- if (Iblinkinfo_port_num + 1) modulo 2 =1 then append ‘/2’ to port_num

In case of 4X port, use only item #1 above

Example:

Copy
Copied!
            

43 23[ ] ==( 2X 53.125 Gbps Active/ LinkUp)==> mlxlink -d lid-43 -p 12 43 24[ ] ==( 2X 53.125 Gbps Active/ LinkUp)==> mlxlink -d lid-43 -p 12/2

Link Speed and Width

For PCIe link speed and width use the following flag: --port_type PCIE

Copy
Copied!
            

PCIe Operational (Enabled) Info ------------------------------- Depth, pcie index, node     : [Depth, pcie index, node] Link Speed Active (Enabled) : [Freq – Gen] Link Width Active (Enabled) : [Width] Device Status               : [Device Status]

PCIe Switch

For NVIDIA® ConnectX®-5 and newer devices, the PCIe interface can be configured for PCIe switch. When the PCIe switch is enabled, the Depth, pcie_index and node parameters are needed to specify the PCIe port where the requested information (such as counters or eye info) is gathered from.

Parameters

Description

Depth

This defines the number of layers from the Root Complex to the specific port.

  • For NVIDIA® ConnectX adapter cards multi-host mode, the Depth should be set to 0.

  • For NVIDIA® BlueField/BlueField-2 JBoF, the Depth should be set to 3.

Pcie_index

This defines the root complex ID or host index.

  • For NVIDIA® ConnectX adapter cards multi-host mode, the pcie_index is the host index (0 – 3).

  • For NVIDIA® BlueField/BlueField-2 JBoF, the pcie_index is always 0.

Node

This defines the specific pcie port.

  • For NVIDIA® ConnectX adapter cards multi-host mode, the node is always 0 for each host_index.

  • For NVIDIA® BlueField JBoF mode, this is from 0x0 – 0xF, accounting for up to 16 possible ports for BlueField JBoF.

  • For NVIDIA® BlueField-2, this is 0x0 – 0x7.

Note: For NVIDIA® BlueField/BlueField-2 SmartNIC mode, the PCIe link information can only be gathered from the external host. The PCIe interface status cannot be retrieved from the Arm side. When retrieving the PCIe link information from the external host, there is no need to specify the depth, pcie_index and node.

Example: NVIDIA® BlueField JBoF Mode

Copy
Copied!
            

# mlxlink -d /dev/mst/mt41682_pciconf0 --port_type pcie --depth 3 --pcie_index 0 --node 4 -c     PCIe Operational (Enabled) Info ------------------------------- Depth, pcie index, node         : 3, 0, 4 Link Speed Active (Enabled)     : 8G-Gen 3 (16G-Gen 4) Link Width Active (Enabled)     : 2X (2X) Device Status                   : N/A   Management PCIe Timers Counters Info ------------------------------------ dl down                         : 0   Management PCIe Performance Counters Info ----------------------------------------- RX Errors                       : 0 TX Errors                       : 0 CRC Error dllp                  : 0 CRC Error tlp                   : 0

Link Counters

For PCIe counters information use the following flag: --port_type PCIE –c

Copy
Copied!
            

Management PCIe Timers Counters Info ------------------------------------ dl down                         : [link down counter]   Management PCIe Performance Counters Info ----------------------------------------- RX Errors                       : [Rx Errors] TX Errors                       : [Tx Errors] CRC Error dllp                  : [CRC Errors dllp] CRC Error tlp                   : [CRC Errors tlp]

  • RX errors: indicate number of transitions to recovery due to Framing errors and CRC (dlp and tlp) errors.

  • TX errors: indicate number of transitions to recovery due to EIEOS and TS errors.

  • CRC Error dllp: indicate CRC error in Data Link Layer Packets

  • CRC Error tlp: indicate CRC error in Transaction Layer Packet

Example:

Copy
Copied!
            

# mlxlink -d /dev/mst/mt4123_pciconf0 --port_type PCIE -c   PCIe Operational (Enabled) Info ------------------------------- Depth, pcie index, node         : 0, 0, 0 Link Speed Active (Enabled)     : 16G-Gen 4 (16G-Gen 4) Link Width Active (Enabled)     : 16X (16X) Device Status                   : Correctable Error detected, Unsupported Request detected.   Management PCIe Timers Counters Info ------------------------------------ dl down                         : 3   Management PCIe Performance Counters Info ----------------------------------------- RX Errors                       : 0 TX Errors                       : 16 CRC Error dllp                  : 0 CRC Error tlp                   : 0

Link Eye Opening and Grade

For PCIe link physical grade and eye opening information use the following flag: --port_type PCIE –e

Copy
Copied!
            

EYE Opening Info (PCIE) ------------------------ Physical Grade : [Grade0, Grade1, Grade2, Grade3, Grade4, Grade5, Grade6, Grade7, Grade8, Grade9, Grade10, Grade11, Grade12, Grade13, Grade14, Grade15]     Height Eye Opening [mV] : [Height0, Height1, Height2, Height3, Height4, Height5, Height6, Height7, Height8, Height9, Height10, Height11, Height12, Height13, Height14, Height15]     Phase Eye Opening [psec] : [Phase0, Phase1, Phase2, Phase3, Phase4, Phase5, Phase6, Phase7, Phase8, Phase9, Phase10, Phase11, Phase12, Phase13, Phase14, Phase15]

Example:

Copy
Copied!
            

# mlxlink -d /dev/mst/mt4123_pciconf0 --port_type PCIE -e     PCIe Operational (Enabled) Info ------------------------------- Depth, pcie index, node         : 0, 0, 0 Link Speed Active (Enabled)     : 16G-Gen 4 (16G-Gen 4) Link Width Active (Enabled)     : 16X (16X) Device Status                   : Correctable Error detected, Unsupported Request detected.   EYE Opening Info (PCIe) ----------------------- Physical Grade                  :  57279, 56340, 59340, 61824, 55140, 60501, 61530, 57392, 61573, 58930, 62752, 60421, 57188, 59796, 60066, 60847 Height Eye Opening [mV]         :    292,   288,   314,   325,   278,   310,   319,   299,   316,   318,   343,   323,   310,   311,   335,   318 Phase  Eye Opening [psec]       :     30,    30,    30,    30,    30,    30,    30,    30,    30,    28,    28,    28,    28,    30,    28,    30

Pass / Fail Criteria

SLRED (ConnectX-6/ConnectX-6 Dx/ConnectX-6 Lx)

Copy
Copied!
            

mlxlink -d [device] --port_type PCIE --margin

Gen3

Gen3

Eye Grade

Figure of Merit (FOM)

0 < Eye Grade < 700

FAIL

700 < Eye Grade < 2300

gray area

2300 < Eye Grade

PASS

Gen4

Gen4

Eye Margin

FOM

0 < Eye Grade < 150

FAIL

150 < Eye Grade < 400

gray area

400 < Eye Grade

PASS

© Copyright 2023, NVIDIA. Last updated on May 23, 2023.