How to update firmware of onboard nic

[zennb1]

Hi.

I hope someone can help as I'm not even sure if this is possible? My pfsense box has an intel x700 series sfp network card and in the past I have shut the machine down and booted it with a spare windows disk and updated the firmware using the intel nvm tool. I notice the intel tool has a freebsd version. Is it possible to run the nvmupdate from the shell - any help on how to do this would be appreciated if its possible?

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/18190/non-volatile-memory-nvm-update-utility-for-intel-ethernet-network-adapter-700-series.html

Thanks

[Gertjan]

@zennb1

Be carefull.
Installing FreeBSD that pulls in more then what Netgate has aviable in their FreeBSD respoistry can break havoc with your ssytem.

This package contains all files required to update the non-volatile memory (NVM) on the Intel Ethernet Adapters in your system. It contains the NVM update utility, configuration file, updated NVM binaries, and required driver files.

These 'new' drivers are not compiled against the FreeBSD kernel that pfSEnse uses, as at best you have to 'kload' them manually, like what has been done with the re driver as seen here on the forum, or totally 'not work' at best.

It would still be better (faster ?) to take out the card, upgrade it in another host Windows system, and see afterwards if it still works with pfSense when you put it back.

[zennb1]

@Gertjan ok thanks. I'll continue to update via my spare ssd. Not had any issues so far with previous updates. Just for clarity it's an on board x710 sfp port rather than a card.