Intel 82599 SR-IOV on Legacy Linux: Check the ixgbevf Driver

Problem and affected environment

After NIC virtualization was enabled, Linux hung during boot. Disabling BIOS VT-d avoided the hang but left NIC-virtualization errors in the OS. The source lists Linux kernels 2.6.18–4.15, RHEL 6.9/7.4, SLES 11 SP4/12 SP3 and Ubuntu 16.04. Its adapter is YZCA-00234-101, an 82599ES dual-port 10Gb LC PCIe x8 card (XR).

Case diagnosis

The required ixgbevf virtual-function driver was missing in the affected environment. Check the actual distribution first: the source’s claim that the OS never includes this driver is not universal. The physical-function driver is ixgbe; ixgbevf is the associated VF driver.

Installation sequence from the source

1. Place a compatible driver archive in a working directory such as /home/username/ixgbevf or /usr/local/src/ixgbevf.
2. Extract it, replacing the version placeholder with the downloaded version:

   tar zxf ixgbevf-<x.x.x>.tar.gz

3. Enter the source directory:

   cd ixgbevf-<x.x.x>/src/

4. Build and install against the intended kernel and matching build prerequisites:

   make install

   The historical source gives /lib/modules/<KERNEL VERSION>/kernel/drivers/net/ixgbevf/ixgbevf.[k]o. The installed path varies by release and distribution; inspect it with modinfo ixgbevf.

5. Load the module:

   modprobe ixgbevf

   The source’s optional parameter syntax is modprobe ixgbevf parameter=port1_value,port2_value; use only parameters supported by that release. If an old VF module must be replaced, the source gives:

   rmmod ixgbevf; modprobe ixgbevf

   Unloading an in-use module interrupts its interfaces. Stop dependent traffic/VM use and perform this in the appropriate maintenance window.

6. Assign an address to the actual interface identified after loading the driver:

   ip address add <IP_address>/<netmask bits> dev ethX

7. Test connectivity to another host on the same subnet:

   ping <IP_address>

Verify the result

The case recommends installing/updating the compatible ixgbevf driver and rebooting to verify. Intel’s English README documents the same general build/load/test sequence and notes that RHEL 7 or Ubuntu may also need initramfs to be refreshed. Follow the README for the chosen driver release; a current package’s supported kernels need not match this legacy case.

Intel ixgbevf source and README replaces the source’s obsolete localized Download Center URL.