Re: [dpdk-dev] a NIC binding to igb_uio module of DPDK is down

["Richardson, Bruce" <bruce.richardson@intel.com>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: dev [mailto:dev-bounces@dpdk.org] On Behalf Of Wodkowski, PawelX
> Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 11:30 PM
> To: dev@dpdk.org; Dpdk-ovs@lists.01.org
> Subject: Re: [dpdk-dev] a NIC binding to igb_uio module of DPDK is down
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: dev [mailto:dev-bounces@dpdk.org] On Behalf Of BYEONG-GI KIM
> > Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 06:27
> > To: dev@dpdk.org; Dpdk-ovs@lists.01.org
> > Subject: [dpdk-dev] a NIC binding to igb_uio module of DPDK is down >
> > Hello.
> >
> > I deployed openstack with dpdk-ovs and I'm now testing it.
> >
> > The problem is that a NIC which is binding to igb_uio module of DPDK is
> > physically down so that it seems not communicate with the other hosts
> > through the NIC.
> >
> > The test environment is as below:
> >
> > OS: RHEL 6 with kernel 3.7.10
> > Hardware information: Intel Atom Processor C2758, 64GB DDR3, 4x RJ45
> > Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, etc.
> > DPDK version: 1.7.0
> > ovdk version: 1.1
> >
> > I checked the NIC's status via ./tools/dpdk_nic_bind.py --status, and it
> > doesn't snow *Active* status:
> >
> > ./tools/dpdk_nic_bind.py --status
> >
> > Network devices using DPDK-compatible driver
> > ============================================
> > 0000:00:14.1 'Ethernet Connection I354' drv=igb_uio unused=igb
> >
> > Network devices using kernel driver
> > ===================================
> > 0000:00:14.0 'Ethernet Connection I354' if=eth0 drv=igb unused=igb_uio
> > *Active*
> > 0000:00:14.2 'Ethernet Connection I354' if=eth2 drv=igb unused=igb_uio
> > *Active*
> > 0000:00:14.3 'Ethernet Connection I354' if=eth3 drv=igb unused=igb_uio
> >
> > Other network devices
> > =====================
> > <none>
> >
> > The NIC port on the PC doesn't glitter physically, which means it seems not
> > connected physically.
> >
> > Doesn't the processor support DPDK, or what is causing the problem?
> >
> > Any comments would be really appreciated.
> 
> You should bring down interface before binding it to igb_uio so the interface
> can't be active :)
> Interface is managed by DPDK app, not the system so it will
> not be shown as active. Try binding '0000:00:14.3' to igb uio and run some
> example like L2 forwarding first to see if it works.
> >
> > Best Regards
> >
> > Byeong-Gi KIM

Also, to clarify, the "active" tag on ports shown by the unbind script is simply an indication that the port is currently enabled with an IP address in Linux and is likely in use and so should not be unbound (the script will prevent you from doing so unless you specify the -f (force unbind) flag). This is a safety measure put in place to prevent people logged in using ssh from unbinding the port they are currently using thereby disconnecting themselves from the board.

/Bruce