[solved] Intel i226 Firmware (see post #39)

[grimm26]

OK this only happens when I use the config file. If I don't specify a config file, I get a full inventory and can even filter by the MAC of my i226 card. I still get a message about "Unsupported device found - DeviceId: 15D6." though.

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Intel(R) Ethernet NVM Update Tool
NVMUpdate version 1.43.20.0
Copyright(C) 2013 - 2025 Intel Corporation.

./nvmupdate64e -i -l out.log -m 00A0C9261A48

Config file will not be read.
Unsupported device found - DeviceId: 15D6.
Inventory
[00:001:00:00]: Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I226-V
Alternate MAC address is not set.
Flash inventory started.
Shadow RAM inventory started.
Shadow RAM inventory finished.
Flash inventory finished.
OROM inventory started.
OROM inventory finished.
[00:001:00:00]: Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I226-V
Vendor                 : 8086
Device                 : 125C
Subvendor              : 8086
Subdevice              : 0000
Revision               : 4
LAN MAC                : 00A0C9261A48
Alt MAC                : 000000000000
SAN MAC                : 000000000000
ETrackId               : 8000028D
SerialNumber           : 00A0C9FFFF261A48
NVM Version            : 2.20(2.14)
PBA                    : G23456-000
VPD status             : Not set
VPD size               : 0
NVM update             : No config file entry
checksum             : Valid
OROM update            : No config file entry
CIVD                 : 0.0.0
EFI                  : 0.1.1, checksum None


[stef]

In the end I solved it by fixing the typo in the DEVICENAME line, and switching to the 2MB bin file (changing the EEPID to 80000422)

So, final nvm.cfg:

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CURRENT FAMILY: 1.0.0
CONFIG VERSION: 1.20.0

; NIC device
BEGIN DEVICE
DEVICENAME: Intel(R) Ethenet Contoller I226-V
VENDOR: 8086
DEVICE: 125C
SUBVENDOR: 8086
SUBDEVICE: 0000
NVM IMAGE: FXVL_125C_V_2MB_2.32.bin
EEPID: 80000422
RESET TYPE: REBOOT
REPLACES: 80000303
END DEVICE

Command used:

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./nvmupdate64e -b -l nvm.log -m 00E0B468DCBC -f -u -c nvm.cfg (same as post 39).

I had previously modified the REPLACES line using the value obtained from the command:

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./nvmupdate64e -i -l inventory.log(the ETrackId value)

This procedure has been applied to a generic Aliexpress, pcie x1, dual-port i226v card.

This stil has not fixed the crash with ASPM enabled, even with "default" performance profile. Only way to make the NIC work reliably is to disable ASPM (in the kernel cmdline, set the options pcie_aspm=force pcie_aspm.policy=performance).
This blocks the package C-States to at most PC2.

[RobertoZ]

This procedure has been applied to a generic Aliexpress, pcie x1, dual-port i226v card.

This stil has not fixed the crash with ASPM enabled, even with "default" performance profile. Only way to make the NIC work reliably is to disable ASPM (in the kernel cmdline, set the options pcie_aspm=force pcie_aspm.policy=performance).
This blocks the package C-States to at most PC2.

I have been using a "Fenvi" branded AliExpress 2 port i226v card since December without any issues.  Updated the card using the 2mb file.  Can sustain 2Gbps throughput.  I have officially 1.5Gbps cable internet that is over provisioned.

You can have a look in the BIOS.  Most BIOS have a setting to turn off ASPM or pci power management. 

[BrandyWine]

If after doing the NVM update and the iface still experiences something odd that seems related to ASPM, then I suspect an issue not related to NVM.

For a Aliexpress 226 pcie card, I might suspect there's a pcie issue between card and host mobo and/or OS. I would start looking there (log messages, etc).

[stef]

I have been using a "Fenvi" branded AliExpress 2 port i226v card since December without any issues.  Updated the card using the 2mb file.  Can sustain 2Gbps throughput.  I have officially 1.5Gbps cable internet that is over provisioned.

You can have a look in the BIOS.  Most BIOS have a setting to turn off ASPM or pci power management. 

Same model as mine.
I got to flash it correctly with the 2MB file too, but the goal was to fix the ASPM compatibilities to avoid having to disable it. (having it disabled is a 10w increase in power consumption)
The way I got it stable is forcing ASPM in bios, forcing it in the kernel cmdline and forcing the "performance" power profile, that disables ASPM for all devices. If it's disabled in BIOS, the card crashed on boot or crashes as soon as a cable is connected.
The OPNsense VM was behaving perfectly when the card was passed through because ASPM was automatically disabled for the device.

If after doing the NVM update and the iface still experiences something odd that seems related to ASPM, then I suspect an issue not related to NVM.

For a Aliexpress 226 pcie card, I might suspect there's a pcie issue between card and host mobo and/or OS. I would start looking there (log messages, etc).

Yes there's a pcie switch on the card (the card is a pcie x1). ASPM issues are probably related to the switch chip, at this point.

[Lucid1010]

Has anyone upgraded the firmware in Proxmox? Nothing is being displayed in nvmupdate64e.

[sorano]

Thanks for this great guide! Successfully upgraded my i226 to 2.32.

Anyone know where I can get the firmware files for IX driver NICS?

device     = '82599ES 10-Gigabit SFI/SFP+ Network Connection'

dev.ix.0.fw_version: eTrack 0x800003de

[BrandyWine]

The bsd/linux/win64 driver code for ix 82599 is in the Intel bundle download, but you download the latest bundle (31 or 31.x)
I have the 30.6 bundle here, so the path in bundle zip is \Release_30.6.zip\PROXGB\

Driver code typically covers a family of NIC, but NVM is more specific to actual NIC chip.
NVM bin file for 82599 is MIA, you need to hunt that down.
Here's a NVM update package from Dell, but looks like you would need to do it from Windows OS, and I am not sure how old this version is.
https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=n01kv

[BrandyWine]

Has anyone upgraded the firmware in Proxmox? Nothing is being displayed in nvmupdate64e.

From which OS directory from the Intel bundle did you get "nvmupdate64e"?

[BrandyWine]

Another find, good read
https://edc.intel.com/content/www/us/en/design/products/ethernet/adapters-and-devices-user-guide/intel-ethernet-nvm-update-tool/

[He4DHuNt3r]

Has anyone had any luck updating the NVM on this generic Aliexpress I226-V?

I've tried updating to 2.32 and lower firmware versions, but it always fails - Tried updating through Windows, EFI & Linux with iomem=relaxed

Inventory

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nvmupdatew64e -i -l log.txt

Config file will not be read.
Inventory
[00:013:00:00]: Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I226-V
    Alternate MAC address is not set.
    Flash inventory started.
    Shadow RAM inventory started.
    Shadow RAM inventory finished.
    Flash inventory finished.
[00:013:00:00]: Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I226-V
    Vendor                 : 8086
    Device                 : 125C
    Subvendor              : 8086
    Subdevice              : 0000
    Revision               : 4
    LAN MAC                : XXXXXXXXXXXX
    Alt MAC                : 000000000000
    SAN MAC                : 000000000000
    ETrackId               : 80000286
    SerialNumber           :  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
    NVM Version            : 2.19(2.13)
    PBA                    : G23456-000
    VPD status             : Not set
    VPD size               : 0
    NVM update             : No config file entry
      checksum             : Valid
Config

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CURRENT FAMILY: 1.0.0
CONFIG VERSION: 1.20.0

; NIC device
BEGIN DEVICE
DEVICENAME: Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I226-V
VENDOR: 8086
DEVICE: 125C
SUBVENDOR: 8086
SUBDEVICE: 0000
NVM IMAGE: FXVL_125C_V_1MB_2.32.bin
EEPID: 80000425
RESET TYPE: REBOOT
REPLACES: 80000286
END DEVICE
NVM.log

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nvmupdatew64e.exe -b -l nvm.log -m XXXXXXXXXXXX  -f -u -c nvm.cfg

Config file read.
Inventory
[00:013:00:00]: Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I226-V
    Alternate MAC address is not set.
    Flash inventory started.
    Shadow RAM inventory started.
    Shadow RAM inventory finished.
    Flash inventory finished.
Update
[00:013:00:00]: Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I226-V
    Creating backup images in directory: XXXXXXXXXXXX .
    Backup images created.
    Flash update started.
Error:       Flash update failed.
    Device update failed.
Update security revisions
[00:013:00:00]: Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I226-V
    Skipping update minimum security revisions.
Update VPD with VPD template
[00:013:00:00]: Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I226-V
    Skipping VPD update with VPD template.

[RobertoZ]

Has anyone had any luck updating the NVM on this generic Aliexpress I226-V?

Try the 2MB.  I have the two port version and the 2MB version of the file worked. 

[He4DHuNt3r]

Try the 2MB.  I have the two port version and the 2MB version of the file worked. 

No luck :(

So when I try the 2MB files, the update process fails pretty much instantly.... but if I use the 1MB files, it takes a good few minutes for the update to fail

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Num Description                          Ver.(hex)  DevId S:B    Status
=== ================================== ============ ===== ====== ==============
01) Intel(R) Ethernet Controller        2.19(2.13)   125C 00:013 Update failed
    I226-V


Tool execution completed with the following status: An error occurred when updating a firmware module.