2.2.x on SuperMicro A1SRi-2758F (Atom C2758 - Marvell 88E1543 NICs) ?
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Hello community!
My forum search did not result in a definite answer. If you are aware of a previous thread that covers it, please excuse me and give me a pointer. Thanks.
I am planning to purchase a machine with the above chipset but am confused due to conflicting information as to suitability for the current build of pfSense.
There seem to have been problems with these NICs not working properly with FreeBSD/pfsense in the past (2013/2014) but then, even one dedicated pfSense hardware, the currently discontinued 1U C2758 seems to have used this chipset. However, the Marvell Alaska 88E1543 quad NIC is not on FreeBSD 10 hardware compatability list. On its homepage, Marvell does not offer official driver downloads for FreeBSD > 7.x at all.
Is there anybody out there using this setup with a current pfSense install?
Help would be appreciated!
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FreeBSD has Intel driver for NIC.
Set network memory buffers to 1000000 per
https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Tuning_and_Troubleshooting_Network_Cards
Good luck.
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Since you are using exactly this chipset, it must be working ;)
Thanks for the link to the tweaking page!I am still puzzled anyway, that freeBSD lists several Marvell adapters but not the 88E1543 as compatible and there seems to be no current freeBSD support from this vendor. Is the Intel driver a larger chipset driver package of which the NIC driver is a subunit? (Sorry if this is a very dumb question on technical grounds, but with regard to hardware-related issues my screen name is very fitting…)
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even one dedicated pfSense hardware, the currently discontinued 1U C2758 seems to have used this chipset.
I am not really sure what the marvel chip set is for, but the LAN Ports are Intel based as you are able to read
here on the tech. spec. site from SuperMicro!!! So The last stable version from pfSense like 2.2.6 or the new
one version 2.3 are running fine on this board! (SuperMicro A1SRi-2758F) Anf for the discontinued C2758 1U
appliance is an newer one in the game for now, called XG-2758 with two 10 GbE LAN Ports!!!As you will be able to read by your own on the C2758 1U site
The C2758 has been replaced by the SG-8860 and the XG-2758. Here are the differences:The SG-8860 utilizes the same:
Intel
Rangeley Atom
8-core C2758 @ 2.4 GHz
8GB RAM
has a 64GB eMMC built-in
and at a lower price point!The XG-2758 utilizes the same:
Intel Rangeley Atom 8-core C2758 @ 2.4 GHz
In addition it arrives with 16GB of ECC RAM and a 128 GB 2.5" SSD.
In addition it includes 2x 10 GbE SFP+ ports, 3x 1 GbE RJ45 ports, and 1 switchable 1GbE port between RJ-45 or SFP.
It is at a higher price point due to the additional memory, larger SSD and built-in SFP+/SFP ports.However, the Marvell Alaska 88E1543 quad NIC is not on FreeBSD 10 hardware compatability list. On its homepage, Marvell does not offer official driver downloads for FreeBSD > 7.x at all.
Where you was seeing this Marvel NICs please? Again here on the Supermicro website for
the SuperMicro A1SRi-2758F I personally was finding anything over Marvel written there!
LAN Ports:
C2000 SoC I354 Quad GbE Controller (MACs)
Virtual Machine Device Queues reduce I/O overhead
Supports 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 1000BASE-T, RJ45 outputCan you point us to the source where you get the information from that there will be a Marvel Chip set?
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Since you are using exactly this chipset, it must be working ;)
Thanks for the link to the tweaking page!I am still puzzled anyway, that freeBSD lists several Marvell adapters but not the 88E1543 as compatible and there seems to be no current freeBSD support from this vendor. Is the Intel driver a larger chipset driver package of which the NIC driver is a subunit? (Sorry if this is a very dumb question on technical grounds, but with regard to hardware-related issues my screen name is very fitting…)
Basic definitions:
The OS requires a chipset to manage data flow on a motherboard (i.e. AES-NI).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipset
The OS requires a driver to operate a device (i.e. NIC).
http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-chipset-driver.htm
IIRC A1SRi-2758F has a Marvell controller however Supermicro has an Intel driver posted on its website.
pfSense has no issues with motherboard. Increase network memory buffer per link and it's gold.
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From the manual of the intel Atom C2000 (Rangeley) series from Supermicro it was be named better.
C2000 Series SoC I354 built-in Quad-port GbE control-lers (MACs) w/Marvell 88E1543 TransceiverThe LAN Ports so are definitive Intel ones (i354) and also Intel drivers would be used to run this LAN ports
and not Marvell drivers are needed.The Marvell 88E1543 Transceiver or also called Marvell Phy or alternatively switch chip is transporting
and coordinating the data flow, but there fore no driver is needed, it works total transparent in my eyes.Same as reported by www.servethehome.de in one of the earlier reports over the intel Atom C2000 platform
here you can read it, search the document for "Marvell", please. LinkThe OS requires a driver to operate a device (i.e. NIC).
Yes this is right but the Intel LAN ports only requires an Intel driver for the Intel i354 NIC and nothing more.
IIRC A1SRi-2758F has a Marvell controller however Supermicro has an Intel driver posted on its website.
SuperMicro are the vendor and producer, they should know what was soldered on the board and what kind
of hardware is needing what kind of driver.