Niccli introduction, device temperature check and support_rdma feature turn on

Preparation

Host Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems

  • Ubuntu: 20.04.5 LTS, and 22.04 ( x86, ARM )

  • Windows: Windows 10 22H2, Windows 11 22H2 ( x86 )

• Required Tools

  • Broadcom NIC Driver (download from Broadcom website)

  • Niccli ( Broadcom tool, installed from the Broadcom NIC Driver package )

  • FW package file: BCM957416A4160C.pkg ( get from Broadcom agency )

• PCIe slots (speed) : Gen3.0 x4

Niccli introduction

The NICCLI configuration utility sets the nonvolatile configuration elements of the Broadcom Ethernet network adapter, such as enabling or disabling RoCE, SR-IOV, and other options.

The NICCLI configuration utility can also perform firmware upgrades. The NICCLI configuration utility uses the Sliff driver for its communication with the underlying firmware and performs the management operation on Broadcom Ethernet network adapters. NICCLI operates independently with or without the L2 drivers.

Support operating systems

Niccli installation

• Please install niccli for device temperature checking

Steps to install niccli

• Please refer to the Broadcom Niccli install and FW update

• After install NIC driver, sliff and niccli, you can call "niccli" to use

Device Temperature Check

• Use niccli to check device temperature

# Type the device number to check each port info

sudo niccli
1 # or 2 
device_temperature

Turn on Support_rdma feature

• Use niccli to turn on the support_rdma feature

sudo niccli
# go to the either one of the index (1 or 2)
1
# type the command to turn on the support_rdma feature
# "scope" is for the device, and please enable 2 devices
# "value 1" is for turning on the feature
setoption -name support_rdma -scope 0 -value 1
setoption -name support_rdma -scope 1 -value 1
# reboot the system to set the configuration
reboot  

NICCLI Configuration Utility Usage and Commands

please go for Broadcom website to check the command list

FAQ

Q: Can we release HS to use NIC?

A: No, if you release heatsink to use NIC, the device temperature would rise very fast and the FW might not work.

( Please install heatsink or use fan to cool down the NIC )