I'm having a problem with a couple 10GB NICs, one in particular in Windows 7 x64 that always thinks the cable is missing.
The drivers for the NIC are current, downloaded from Intel- it's settings are defaults, although I did set an IP address once to see if it helped, and it didn't.
The cards I'm using are both the same, hybrid Dell / Intel. Dell Part Numbers T645H, Intel Models 82598.
The cable I'm using between the cards is a Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU3M.
I found this information helpful from Intel.com regarding which SFP+ cables will work with that card: www.intel.com/support/network/adapter/10gbe/afdadualserver/sb/CS-029097.htm
It mentions the cables have to comply with certain specifications to function properly, and according to the product page for the cable I have, they match and should be working.
Cisco cable details: www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/modules/ps5455/data_sheet_c78-455693.html
I saw this relatively cheap switch on eBay, (Item number: 370424159424) and considered buying that to see if the problem has to do with the cable not being a 'crossover' cable per se.
I'm hesitant to do that since the description mentions it having SFP ports, rather than SFP+ ports, and I'm not sure of the ramifications of mixing these, since I'm early in the learning curve of 10GB.
I'm not certain what to do next, I don't want to have to buy a switch to go between, plus another cable- it seems very expensive just to make a single fast link.
Thanks in advance, your feedback is appreciated.
Best Answer
On the flip-side of what ramruma has presented, have you tried hard coding the line settings on at least one side - just in case it is an auto-negotiation incompatibility issue?