PowerEdge: Intel X520 adapters experience unexpected SFP+ port behavior with firmware version 18.5.17

Summary: SFP+ ports down during "Initializing Firmware Interface...." and the SFP+ ports LEDs are all OFF.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
Check out other resources

Symptoms

Issue

Intel X520 network adapter running firmware 18.5.17 may experience intermittent network link issues or other unexpected events when using the SFP port. Due to this potential impact, we highly recommend a proactive update of the firmware to version 18.5.18 or later to maintain optimal system performance, and avoid experiencing these issues:

  1. Either or both SFP+ ports down during "Initializing Firmware Interface...." at POST, and the SFP+ ports LEDs are all OFF after the problem happened.
  2. SFP+ Ports flapping and OS log shows that unsupported transceiver is in use.


Affected Firmware:

18.5.17

  • VX6DW - SWB,FW,NTWK,INTEL,DUP,18.5.0
  • 0GW47 - SWB,FW,NTWK,INTEL,ESXI,18.5.0


List of affected cards:

  • C63DV - CRD,NTWK,12G,RNDC,INTEL,10GSFP
  • WHJ7C - CRD,NTWK,LOM,DP,INTEL,C6320
  • XYT17 - CRD,NTWK,10G,SFP+,DP,INTEL,V2
  • 942V6 - CRD,NTWK,10G,SFP+,DP,INT,LP,V2

Cause

N/A

Resolution

Solution

The hardware is working fine and does not need replacement.

Dell engineering team is aware of this issue, and the new firmware 18.5.18 has been posted to solve this problem:

  • 7TF94 - SWB,FW,NTWK,INTEL,ESXI,18.5.1
  • 3XJH0 - SWB,FW,NTWK,INTEL,DUP,18.5.1


 

Important: After installing this firmware update, all power must be drained from the system to complete the installation. To drain all power from the system it must be shut down, all power plugs must be removed from power, and the system must sit without power for at least 15 s. A system reboot is NOT sufficient to complete this update. If all power is not drained from the system the updated firmware version is not fully installed, even though it appears to have been installed.

 

For Dell EMC 14th generation servers, the following steps may be needed to complete the installation of this firmware update:

  1. Apply the 18.5.18 firmware through your operating system.
  2. Reboot the system
  3. Press "F2" to enter the "System BIOS" when prompted.
  4. Go to "Miscellaneous Settings."
  5. In the "Power Cycle Request" section, select "Full Power Cycle."
  6. Press Esc to exit the system BIOS. Choose to save settings when prompted.
  7. The system reboots.
  8. After the reboot completes, the firmware is fully installed.

 

Affected Products

Intel PRO Family of Adapters

Products

PowerEdge XR2, Poweredge C4140, PowerEdge C6420, PowerEdge R240, PowerEdge R340, PowerEdge R440, PowerEdge R540, PowerEdge R640, PowerEdge R6415, PowerEdge R740, PowerEdge R740XD, PowerEdge R740XD2, PowerEdge R7415, PowerEdge R7425, PowerEdge R840 , PowerEdge R940, PowerEdge R940xa, PowerEdge T140, PowerEdge T340, PowerEdge T440, PowerEdge T640, PowerEdge XE2420, PowerEdge XE7420, PowerEdge XE7440 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000177960
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 23 Jan 2026
Version:  9
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.