B200 M2 server network adapter upgrade from M81KR to c1280

[jberthin]

Hi Team:

I am planning to make a network adapter replacement from the M81KR to the C1280 in the Blade servers B200 M2.

Could you please help me about all items that I must consider for this task?

UCS manager version 2.2.1

VMWare 5.5.U1. vsphere

if you have any links or step guide procedure, it is going to help a lot.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation

Javier

[Walter Dey · Accepted solution]

Hi Javier

2.1.3 was the last release that supported M81KR.

The enic/fnic drivers for M81KR and VIC-1280 are the same

VIC-1280

Adapter Driver   = 1.5.0.49 (FNIC), 2.1.2.38 (ENIC)
Adapter Firmware = 2.1(3)

M81KR

Adapter Driver   = 1.5.0.49 (FNIC), 2.1.2.38 (ENIC)
Adapter Firmware = 2.1(3)

Therefore I don't see any problems; you change the I/O adaptor and associate the SP again.

Walter.

[jberthin]

Hi Walter.

Please accept my apologizes if I miss understood your information.

Actually the UCS, well FIs are running 2.2.1, and the VMware area personnel, made an upgrade weeks ago to the version 5.5.U1 that as far as I know is NOT supported going together UCS Manager version, VMware version and M81KR network adapter. I mean Not supported by the Cisco TAC.  And the people of VMware made the upgrade because they received from VMware site to upgrade to newest version. By mistake they did not communicate or agree with the UCS personnel and now we are facing that UCS, VMware versions are not well managed or compatible for any Cisco UCS TAC support.

About what you say, this means I must go to UCS 2.1.3 first, before switching network adapters?

Thanks again for your cooperation and orientation,

Javier

[jberthin]

Hi Walter.

Thanks for your answer. It was very important to validate that I was not missing any point on this task.  and mainly about the drivers, that you validated that is the same.

Have a nice day, thanks again.

Javier

[Walter Dey]

Javier

Just to clarify one more thing.

I assume you run 2.2.1 for the infrastructure (UCSM, FI and IOM) and your B200-M2 with M81KR at 2.1.3, which is of course supported.

Then you swap M81KR with VIC-1280 ! No Problem.

[jberthin]

Hi Walter.

Actually the UCS, well FIs are running 2.2.1, and the VMware area personnel, made an upgrade weeks ago to the version 5.5.U1 that as far as I know is NOT supported going together UCS Manager version, VMware version and M81KR network adapter. I mean Not supported by the Cisco TAC.  And the people of VMware made the upgrade because they received from VMware site to upgrade to newest version. By mistake they did not communicate or agree with the UCS personnel and now we are facing that UCS, VMware versions are not well managed or compatible for any Cisco UCS TAC support.

About what you say, this means I must go to UCS 2.1.3 first, before switching network adapters?

Thanks again for your cooperation and orientation,

Javier

[Walter Dey]

Hi Javier

If your B200-M2 was at 2.2.1, the M81KR was no more supported, ESXi 5.5 U1 is ok !

which enic/fnic versions are you running now ?

B200-M2, 2.2.1, and VIC-1280 requires

Adapter Driver   = 1.6.0.5 (FNIC) / 2.1.2.42 (ENIC)
Adapter Firmware = 2.2(1)
Boot Code / BIOS =

I hope you know this utility

http://www.cisco.com/web/techdoc/ucs/interoperability/matrix/matrix.html

Of course I would never do a downgrade to 2.1.3 first !

Walter.