Verifying and Modifying the Link Speed on the Client Network Ports for X7 and Later Systems

2.6 Verifying and Modifying the Link Speed on the Client Network Ports for X7 and Later Systems

You can configure 10 GbE connections or 25 GbE connections on the client network on Oracle Exadata X7 and later database servers.

Note:

You should configure the client network ports using Oracle Exadata Deployment Assistant (OEDA) during system deployment. See Using Oracle Exadata Deployment Assistant.

The following steps may be necessary to configure a client access port if the OEDA deployment was not performed or was performed incorrectly. You can also use these steps to change the client network from 10 GbE to 25 GbE, or from 25 GbE to 10 GbE.

List the network interfaces on the system by using the following command:
```
# ip link show
```
To view details about a specific network interface, use the ethtool command and specify the network interface.
For example:
```
# ethtool ethx
```
For each network interface (designated by ethx) that does not have the link detected, run the following commands:
- For 10GbE network interfaces:
```
# ifdown ethx
# ethtool -s ethx 10000 duplex full autoneg off
# ifup ethx
# ethtool ethx
```
  For 10 Gb/s, you must use SFP+ transceivers; SFP28 transceivers do not support 10 Gb/s traffic.
- For 25GbE network interfaces:
```
# ifdown ethx
# ethtool -s ethx 25000 duplex full autoneg off
# ifup ethx
# ethtool ethx
```
Confirm that the output from the ethtool command shows yes for Link detected.
```
        Link detected: yes
```
Edit the appropriate files in /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts, where x is the number associated with the network interface.
1. Locate the /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-ethx file. Add the following lines, if they are not already present in the file:
  - For 10 GbE network interfaces:
```
ONBOOT=YES
ETHTOOL_OPTS="speed 10000 duplex full autoneg off"
```
  - For 25 GbE network interfaces:
```
ONBOOT=YES
ETHTOOL_OPTS="speed 25000 duplex full autoneg off"
```
2. Repeat the previous step for all network interfaces that do not have the ETHTOOL_OPTS setting in the associated ifcfg-ethx file and are connected to 10 GbE or 25 GbE switches.
The network interface should now show the link as detected. These changes are persistent, and do not need to be repeated after a server reboot.
Check the ILOM on each compute node to validate the LAN on Motherboard is properly configured to detect the 25 GbE transceiver.
```
show /HOST/network
  /HOST/network
     Targets:

     Properties:
         active_media = none
         auto_media_detection = enabled
         current_active_media = (none)

     Commands:
         cd
         set
         show
```
If the NIC is not working, change the active_media and current_active_media to the proper values:
- For 25 GbE transceivers (Fiber or Copper) these parameters should be set to SPF28
- For 10 GbE network using RJ-45 ended CAT6 cables, these parameters should be set to RJ45

Parent topic: Maintaining Exadata Database Servers