ESXi 5.1 VMNIC Interface Down Status Showing Link Down by Explicit Linkset

[edlam2000]

hi,

When connecting the Intel 82599EB with 10GB SFP+ in ESXi 5.1 Host to the Dell Switch (model #6248) http://www.dell.com/hk/business/p/powerconnect-6248/pd, the link is always down with Status showing as:-

Does anyone know what's the exact meaning of Down by explicit linkSet?

~ # esxcli network nic get -n vmnic6

Advertised Auto Negotiation: false

Advertised Link Modes: 10000baseT/Full

Auto Negotiation: false

Cable Type: FIBRE

Current Message Level: 7

Driver Info:

Bus Info: 0000:06:00.0

Driver: ixgbe

Firmware Version: 0x8000014d

Version: 3.14.3iov

Link Detected: false

Link Status: Down by explicit linkSet

Name: vmnic6

PHYAddress: 0

Pause Autonegotiate: false

Pause RX: true

Pause TX: true

Supported Ports: FIBRE

Supports Auto Negotiation: false

Supports Pause: true

Supports Wakeon: false

Transceiver: external

Wakeon: None

[rickardnobel]

Do you have the vmnic attached to a vSwitch with some NIC teaming override set?

[edlam2000]

No, actually, there's no vswitch setup with that vmnic yet.

[rickardnobel]

I did a quick test and saw that even unassigned adapters should show Link Status Up.

However, can you try to add it at a test vSwitch and see if the status changes?

[goyobis]

Hi!

I have the same issue. Our system is an Intel Modular Server with one switch modul.

If i switch off the STP on the port and then turn back, the link comes up until next reboot

Seen from the side of the switch the port link is UP but esxi show it down

esxcli network nic up -n vmnic1   

has no effect.

(sorry my bad English)

[MKguy]

First off, STP should always be disabled on end ports connecting to ESXi hosts. There is no need to run STP on these ports since ESXi or vSwitches won't form loops (unless you explicitly build a VM with multiple vNICs and configure bridging in the guest). See:

VMware Virtual Switch: no need for STP « ipSpace.net by @ioshints 

VMware KB: STP may cause temporary loss of network connectivity

VMware KB: Sample configuration of virtual switch VLAN tagging (VST Mode)

That said, make sure your NIC firmware is up to date and update to the latest ixgbe driver version 3.19.1 from this offline bundle:

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?downloadGroup=DT-ESXI5X-INTEL-IXGBE-3191&productId=285

[goyobis]

Thanks for quickly response 🙂

If i disable STP on the port, the result is same. 😞

[Shrikant_Gavhan]

Hi edlam2000,

You need to check the speed set for physical switch port and uplink at vswitch level for that perticular NIC.

Please check the below KB article for more info.

VMware KB: Forcing a link state up or down for a vmnic interface on ESXi 5.x

Thanks and Regards,

Shrikant Gavhane

[Madmax01]

Hello,

could you have a look to you're vSwitch + Portgroups for  the  Nic Teaming Settings.

What setting do you have for "Load Balancing" ?

which message do you get if you try out forcing an up status?

esxcli network nic up -n vmnic6

also it would be good to have a look to new driver + Firmware. 

		Release	Device Driver(s)	Firmware Version	Type		Features
		ESXi 5.5	ixgbe version 3.19.1	0x61bf0001	async		View
		ESXi 5.5	ixgbe version 3.7.13.7.14iov-11vmw	N/A	inbox		View
		ESXi 5.5	ixgbe version 3.15.1.8	N/A	async		View
		ESXi 5.5	ixgbe version 3.18.7	N/A	async		View
		ESXi 5.1 U2	ixgbe version 3.19.1	0x61bf0001	async
		ESXi 5.1 U2	ixgbe version 3.18.7	N/A	async
		ESXi 5.1 U2	ixgbe version 3.14.3.1	N/A	async
		ESXi 5.1 U2	ixgbe version 3.14.3	N/A	async		View

Best regards

Max