Licensing for 440-G2 10GBASE-T ports

aaxvig — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:12:08 GMT

I couldn't find any information for this specific situation so thought I would write it up in case anyone else hits it.

We attempted to use the 10GBASE-T ports on the back of a X440G2-48p-10G4 switch. Slot 2 in this case. With stacking in use on ports 2:49 and 2:50, but no modules in the SFP+ ports of 2:51 and 2:52, we attempted to use 2:51 with some 10gbps-capable equipment. Firmware was 30.7.3.12-patch1-19 and license Feature Pack "DirectAttach Dual 10G Uplink" was in place (part number 16542 on datasheet).

Test equipment:
Sonnet SOLO10G-TB3
Some 10gbps-capable Xyxel CPE device

Port configuration:
configure ports 2:51 medium copper auto on speed 10000 duplex full
configure ports 2:51 preferred-medium copper force

Neither device would negotiate a link. I was able to get a 1gbps link by running configure ports 2:51 medium copper auto on speed 1000 duplex full

And then I was able to bump that to 10gbps by running configure ports 2:51 medium copper auto on speed 10000 duplex full. IIRC it would only transfer at 1gbps even though showing 10gbps negotiated. And after a cable unplug or client device reboot it would not come back up.

Upgrading to 31.7.1.4-patch1-98 fixed the issue. The port now automatically comes up at 10gbps speeds with both test devices, and is tested to successfully transfer data at speeds over 1gbps.

I think this is some issue with the license recognition. With no license changes the Feature Pack name changed:

30.7.3.12-patch1-19 showed:
Enabled License Level:
Edge
Enabled Feature Packs:
DirectAttach Dual 10G Uplink
Effective License Level:
Edge

31.7.1.4-patch1-98 shows:
Enabled License Level:
Edge
Enabled Feature Packs:
Dual 10G Uplink
Effective License Level:
Edge

The old firmware seemed to think the license was specific to the DirectAttach (SFP+) ports.

topic Licensing for 440-G2 10GBASE-T ports in ExtremeSwitching (EXOS/Switch Engine)

Licensing for 440-G2 10GBASE-T ports