Poweredge R740xd - Inactive NDC (I350 Gigabit Network Connection)

Hello,

can you check what it the driver/firmware upgrade for the NIC?
Also the BIOS and iDRAC firmware, which is the component version?

Thanks

@DELL-Marco B​ 

Hello,

NIC current firmware - 20.0.17

BIOS current firmware - 2.23.0

iDRAC current firmware - 7.00.00.174

@DELL-Marco B​ 

Take note that only the 2 × 10 GbE SFP+ ports (via the Intel X710 controller) is inactive, the other 2 × 1 GbE RJ45 (UTP) ports (via the Intel I350 controller) is active but we are using fiber and not UTP.

Hello, please see the minimum version for the 14G servers https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-au/000227230/minimum-recommended-and-latest-code-versions-for-dell-technologies-poweredge?lwp=rt

You can also send us the system's service tag https://www.dell.com/community/en/categories/dell-community

Respectfully,

@DELL-Young E​ 

Where can I send the service tag?

Hello, we already have your service tag via DM. Can you verify if your system is caught up with BIOS and iDRAC according to this doc? https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-au/000227230/minimum-recommended-and-latest-code-versions-for-dell-technologies-poweredge?lwp=rt

Respectfully,

@DELL-Young E​ 

It's slightly outdated

@DELL-Young

I can't find this 7.00.00.183 firmware version of the IDRAC to download.

https://www.dell.com/support/product-details/en-us/product/poweredge-r740xd/drivers

It's probably not showing when you put in your own tag because your is an OEM.

@DELL-Young E​ 

Okay sir,

where can I download that version?

Hello, it was in the link I provided above. https://www.dell.com/support/product-details/en-us/product/poweredge-r740xd/drivers

That iDRAC message (“fatal error detected on a component at bus…”) plus the SFP ports not coming up usually points to the NDC/NIC module itself going bad (or not being detected properly anymore).

Here’s the straight fix path:

1. Power the server off completely
   Unplug both PSUs, hold the power button 15–20 seconds, then plug back in and boot.

2. Reseat the NDC/NIC
   If this is an R740xd with an NDC (Network Daughter Card), pull it and reseat it firmly. Also reseat any riser if the NIC is on a PCIe card.

3. Swap/test the SFPs and cable/switch port
   Quick check, but since all ports are down, it’s less likely to be just optics.

4. Update firmware
   Update iDRAC/Lifecycle Controller and NIC firmware from Dell’s ISO/SupportAssist if you can.

If after reseating + firmware the ports still stay inactive, the NDC/NIC hardware has failed and the real solution is replacing the NDC/NIC card (or using a replacement PCIe NIC).