Dell Networking BigSwitch PCIE Firmware for T3 switches running SwitchlightOS

Summary: Dell Networking Datacenter switches using the Trident3 (T3) ASIC/chipset require PCIE firmware upgrade that is done outside of the Switch Light OS during upgrades.

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Instructions

Issue

Due to Broadcom SDK changes, there is a PCIE Firmware upgrade that is required for switches to remain stable. This issue only affects the T3 model switches.

Affected Dell Switch models:
S5200 Series

Supported Table:

PCIE Version CCF Version  DMF Version
2.5 5.0.x, 5.1.0,5.1.1 7.0.x, 7.1.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 7.1.3
2.6 5.1.2+, 5.2.x, 5.3.x, 6.x+ 7.1.4+, 7.2.x, 7.3.x, 8.x+
 

Example:

If the current Converged Cloud Fabric (CCF) version is (5.0.x, 5.1.0, 5.1.1), and would like to upgrade to CCF version 6.0.x/6.1.x, then:

  • Update PCIE FW to 2.5 (if not already)
  • Update CCF to 5.1.2+, 5.2.x, 5.3.x
  • Update PCIE FW to 2.6
  • Update CCF to latest 6.x+ release
 

Check the currently applied version:

To confirm the currently applied version, run this directly from the switch.

Command Description
Controller# connect switch S5232F-1 Connect to the affected switch.
S5232F-1> debug admin Enable debug mode.
S5232F-1> enable privilege mode
S5232F-1# debug bash. move to switch bash 
root@s5232f-1:~# ofad-ctl pciephy-version
PCIe FW loader version: 2.6
PCIe FW version: D102_0A		 Check the currently applied version.


Note: The command "ofad-ctl pciephy-version" is available in CCF version 5.3.3+ and DMF 7.3.1+, 8.x version. Versions prior to these do not have the command and will require contacting support for assistance to check PCIE version within Switch Light OS. Alternative method is to reboot into DiagOS using solution steps below.

Solution

Upgrade PCIE firmware to match the expected table during the upgrade process. 
To upgrade the PCIE firmware requires using console and DiagOS on each switch one at a time.

The directions for PCIE firmware upgrade are in our guide for OS10 and within the ONIE Firmware Updater release notes. 





Affected Products

Dell EMC BSN Controller Node, PowerSwitch S5212F-ON, PowerSwitch S5224F-ON, PowerSwitch S5232F-ON, PowerSwitch S5248F-ON, PowerSwitch S5296F-ON
Article Properties
Article Number: 000195347
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 05 Jun 2025
Version:  8
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