Intel x520 EEPROM Patcher allows to unlock the x520 network card to work with non-intel branded SFP modules.

intel_x520_patcher.py

#!/usr/bin/env python3
#
# Simple Intel x520 EEPROM patcher
# Modifies the EEPROM to unlock the card for non-intel branded SFP modules.
#
# Copyright 2020,2021,2022 Andreas Thienemann <[email protected]>
#
# Licensed under the GPLv3
#
# Based on research described at https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/patching-intel-x520-eeprom-to-unlock-all-sfp-transceivers.24634/
#
# Quick explanation of what's going on:
# Looking at the Intel driver at e.g. https://elixir.bootlin.com/linux/v5.8/source/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbe/ixgbe_type.h#L2140 we can see
# that the bit 0x1 at Address 0x58 contains a configuration setting whether the card allows any SFP modules or if Intel specific ones are enforced
# by the driver.
#
# Addr Bitstring
# 0x58 xxxxxxx0 means Intel specific SFPs
# 0x58 xxxxxxx1 means any SFP is allowed.
#
# Using the parameter allow_unsupported_sfp for the kernel module we can tell the driver to accept any SFPs.
# But this tool will flip the right bit 1 to make that change permanent in the configuration bits in the EEPROM,
# thus making kernel module parameters unnecessary.
#

import subprocess
import sys

# Supported cards. If your card is supported but not listed here, please add a comment
# with your PCI IDs at https://gist.github.com/ixs/dbaac42730dea9bd124f26cbd439c58e
card_ids = {
    "0x10fb": "82599ES 10-Gigabit SFI/SFP+ Network Connection",
    "0x154d": "Ethernet 10G 2P X520 Adapter",
    "0x1557": "82599 10 Gigabit Network Connection",
}

try:
    intf = sys.argv[1]
except IndexError:
    print("%s <interface>" % sys.argv[0])
    exit(255)

print("Verifying interface %s." % intf)

try:
    with open("/sys/class/net/%s/device/vendor" % intf) as f:
        vdr_id = f.read().strip()

    with open("/sys/class/net/%s/device/device" % intf) as f:
        dev_id = f.read().strip()
except IOError:
    print("Can't read interface data.")
    exit(2)

if vdr_id in ("0x8086"):
    print("Recognized an Intel manufactured card.")
else:
    print("No Intel manufactured card found.")
    exit(3)
if dev_id in card_ids:
    print("Recognized the %s card." % card_ids[dev_id])
else:
    print("No recognized x520-based card found.")
    exit(3)

# Read eeprom at offset 0x58
output = subprocess.check_output(
    ["ethtool", "-e", intf, "offset", "0x58", "length", "1"]
).decode("utf-8")

# Parse ethtool output and convert the value into a binary string
val = output.strip().split("\n")[-1].split()[-1]
val_bin = int(val, 16)

print("EEPROM Value at 0x58 is 0x%s (%s)." % (val, bin(val_bin)))
if val_bin & 0b00000001 == 1:
    print("Card is already unlocked for all SFP modules. Nothing to do.")
    exit(1)
if val_bin & 0b00000001 == 0:
    print("Card is locked to Intel only SFP modules. Patching EEPROM...")
    new_val = val_bin | 0b00000001
    print("New EEPROM Value at 0x58 will be %s (%s)" % (hex(new_val), bin(new_val)))

# The "magic" value we need in order to write to a intel card is "0x<device_id><vendor_id>"
magic = "%s%s" % (dev_id, vdr_id[2:])

cmd = [
    "ethtool",
    "-E",
    intf,
    "magic",
    str(magic),
    "offset",
    "0x58",
    "value",
    hex(new_val),
    "length",
    "1",
]

print("About to run %s" % " ".join(cmd))
if (
    input(
        "This operation will write data to your ethernet card eeprom. Type 'yes' to confirm: "
    ).lower()
    != "yes"
):
    print("Operation aborted.")
    exit(1)

output = subprocess.check_output(cmd).decode("utf-8")
if len(output) == 0:
    print("Sucess!")
    print("Reboot the machine for changes to take effect...")
    exit(0)
else:
    print(output)

@jeffh2os

Sorry for the delay, had to get my server up and running not quite there yet.
anyway i am lost at trying to get commands up and running i do not know which commands to run, never worked with linux before.
I read from someone on Reddit he wrote this command in Ubuntu "sudo lshw -C network" I got this
*-network
description: Ethernet interface
physical id: 3
logical name: eth0
serial: 00:15:5d:9a:a8:c7
size: 10Gbit/s
capabilities: ethernet physical
configuration: autonegotiation=off broadcast=yes driver=hv_netvsc driverversion=5.15.153.1-microsoft-standard-W duplex=full firmware=N/A ip=172.19.84.29 link=yes multicast=yes speed=10Gbit/s
root@DESKTOP-LDHD9CS:~#

I dont know the next steps to take, sorry just a noob with no linux experience.

Cheers

Testing this with Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS on live cd.
Getting this error messaage
Ubuntu@Ubuntu:~$ ethtool -e enp4s0f0 offset 0x58 length 1
cannot get EEPROM data: Operation not permitted,

Does anyone know of a workaround

Cheers Guys

Testing this with Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS on live cd. Getting this error messaage Ubuntu@Ubuntu:~$ ethtool -e enp4s0f0 offset 0x58 length 1 cannot get EEPROM data: Operation not permitted,

Does anyone know of a workaround

Cheers Guys

You'd need to either sudo -i first, or use sudo in front of the ethtool commands (they require root access). If this is confusing to you, you would be much safer using the python script in the gist...

Wow this script helped me at work, here I rewrote it in pure Bash: https://gist.github.com/jeffangelion/e7736a0802d4782d5e3d4d2e08e8306b

@ixs, I've found another x520 card not listed that works with your script. I have verified the following additional card. Reword the description as you see fit.

    "0x1557": "82599 10 Gigabit Network Connection (X520-DA1)",

I cleared the bit and saw the kernel message stating that the module wasn't supported. Upon flipping the bit back and rebooting, it started working again. I ordered 2 of these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3YSBMY, and 1 card had it already set (0xfd) and the other card did not (0xfe). FYI, I was using these SFP+ modules, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NW1VBX6.

I was trying to reduce cost as much as was reasonable, which is why I'm mixing and matching these cheaper parts. They have been rock solid so far over ~50ft of CAT6. I'm getting the expected 9.4gpbs in iperf3 and even lower retr counts than I did over the previous gigabit connection with the same cables.