Checking Configuration

Enhanced PTP User Guide (UG1602)

Document ID
UG1602
Release Date
2023-04-07
Revision
1.1 English

ESXi Host

  • Use lspci in the ESXi host to confirm that VFs are configured. For example:
    lspci | grep Solarflare
    0000:81:00.0 Network controller: Solarflare SFC9220 [vmnic4]
    0000:81:00.1 Network controller: Solarflare SFC9220 [vmnic5]

    and:

    lspci | grep "81:00"
    0000:81:00.0 Network controller: Solarflare SFC9220 [vmnic4]
    0000:81:00.1 Network controller: Solarflare SFC9220 [vmnic5]
    0000:81:00.2 Network controller:   [PF_0.129.0_VF_0]
    0000:81:00.3 Network controller:   [PF_0.129.0_VF_1]

    and:

    lspci | grep _VF_
    0000:81:00.2 Network controller:   [PF_0.129.0_VF_0]
    0000:81:00.3 Network controller:   [PF_0.129.0_VF_1]
  • Check network topology (vswitch and port group) for VM connectivity. In the following example, there are two VMs: vm-ptp and vm-ptp2. Each VM has its own VF from the physical adapter in the host:

    Note: A VF does not use a port-group for sending/receiving traffic. The port-group is used only to apply networking properties such as VLAN ID.

Local Master

Check the /var/lib/sfptpd/topology file:

  • The ptp grandmaster will identify the upstream PTP master clock.
  • The state is ptp-slave.
  • The offsets for GM to adapter and adapter to system are recorded.
    ====================
    state: ptp-slave
    interface: ens224 (ens224)
    timestamping: hw
    ====================
    
                grandmaster
           0050:c2ff:fede:95b7/1
                     |
                     |
                 9.000 ns
                     |
                     |
                     v
               phc0(ens224)
            000c:29ff:fed2:7455
                     |
                     |
                 -4.438 ns
                     |
                     |
                     v
                  system
  • Check Local Master VM SRIOV adapter configuration:

Freerun VMs

Check /var/lib/sfptpd/topology file:

  • The state is freerun
  • The adapter clock is identified
  • The offset of the guest OS system clock from adapter clock is recorded.
    ====================
    state: freerun
    ====================
    
               phc0(ens224)
            000c:29ff:fed2:7455
                     |
                     |
                 -2.562 ns
                     |
                     |
                     v
                  system
                  system
  • Check VM SRIOV adapter configuration:

Tcpdump

The standard Linux tcpdump can be used in the Linux guest to confirm that PTP traffic is being received by the VF:

# tcpdump -i <sfptpd VF interface> dst port 319 or dst port 320

(PTP only uses ports 319 and 320.)