Any tips or gotchas with Supermicro AOC-STG-i4S

[Greg_E]

I just bought a couple Supermicro AOC-STG-i4S used (Intel x710 based) and I think I'm going to convert one of my HP T740 into a higher speed OPNsense for my lab, this will let me route between both of my lab networks at a higher speed, and the faster T740 should give better performance on the wan, my old T620+ doesn't seem to be giving full speed anymore.

Anything I should look out for on these cards?

[pfry]

Interesting design. I wonder if there's a way to expose the Nuvoton chip (NCT6683D-T monitor/fan controller). FreeBSD support would likely be pretty limited - perhaps the superio driver has some support. Should be irrelevant to normal operation; the card apparently has an overheat LED and external signal (JP2). For the heck of it, check the DIP switch settings.

Definitely check the NVM version. That should be about it. I wouldn't expect firmware locks (for SFP optics) on a Supermicro card.

[Greg_E]

That's one reason I like to buy that brand, generally they are unlocked. The x520 version was limited to 1g or 10g, but the x710 should habe 2.5 and 5g support if I need to run a copper module.

[patient0]

but the x710 should habe 2.5 and 5g support if I need to run a copper module.

It may be OT but: would you be able to ELI5 how to determine if a chipset is supporting 2.5 and 5Gbit? On and off I look for an answer now for a year or two (more of an indication of limitation on my side).

I only have SFP+ adapters, no NBaseT; NBaseT only by using copper transceiver. Some Mikrotik switches support it 2.5/5Gbit, some cards support it others not. I read quite a few datasheets of SFP+ conroller but can't find an explanation.

Does the MAC has to support these speeds, or the PHY? Or modes like MII, RMII, XGMII etc.?

And since there are copper versions of the X710 (X710-TM4 & X710-AT2) which do support 2.5 and 5Gbit, is that a sure indication that SFP+ models also support these speeds?

The XL710/X710 datasheet (I'm not through yet) : https://cdrdv2-public.intel.com/332464/332464_710_Series_Datasheet_v_4_1.pdf

[meyergru]

It does not even matter, AFAIK. I had 1/2.5/5/10 Gbps SFP+ modules running in an Intel X520-DAx with no problem.

The SFP+ module reports at 10 Gbps to the host, whilst happily doing 2.5 GBps on the line. The only thing is that you cannot control the line speed, it is always auto-negotiated.

[patient0]

I had 1/2.5/5/10 Gbps SFP+ modules running in an X510 with no problem.

What is X510, Intel?

But the chipset seems to have something to do with it. You are of course right, they do auto-neg at 10G to the OS/system. But some cards/chips seem not to be able to work with 1/2.5/5G/10G tranceivers in 2.5 or 5G mode.

But I don't want to polute this thread too much, I will keep search and reading about.

[meyergru]

Mistyped it, I meant X520-DAx.

[pfry]

[...]And since there are copper versions of the X710 (X710-TM4 & X710-AT2) which do support 2.5 and 5Gbit[...]

Versions... some of the early ones do not, so if you're planning on getting one for that purpose, get a newer one. I forget where that detail is documented, and you can't determine chip version readily without running the card in any case.

[...]But some cards/chips seem not to be able to work with 1/2.5/5G/10G tranceivers in 2.5 or 5G mode.[...]

Yeah, lots of (well, only several, really) different transceivers, too. Some will autonegotiate, some will not; some will use the 10Gb clock, some will not. And of course most run like burning weenie roasters, which would be even more unpleasant in a quad-port HHHL card.

[Greg_E]

The heat is definitely something I need to look at, also the power draw as this thin client only has a certain amount of power overhead for the cards.

I'll have to check my newer x520 cards and see if they support 2.5 and 5g, the older cards in my HP stuff did not, but most of them were Broadcom.

I may need to buy a few more 2.5g transceivers, I found a Wiitek on Amazon for $17, going to use this with a Moca 2.5 system and see how hot it gets in my switch.