Bug ID 742860: VE: Predictable NIC ordering based on PCI coordinates until ordering is saved.

Last Modified: May 29, 2024

Affected Product(s):
BIG-IP MA-VE(all modules)

Known Affected Versions:
13.1.1, 13.1.1.2, 13.1.1.3, 13.1.1.4, 13.1.1.5, 13.1.3, 13.1.3.1, 13.1.3.2, 13.1.3.3, 13.1.3.4, 13.1.3.5, 14.0.0, 14.0.0.1, 14.0.0.2, 14.0.0.3, 14.0.0.4, 14.0.0.5, 14.0.1, 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0, 14.1.0.1, 14.1.0.2, 14.1.0.3, 14.1.0.5, 14.1.0.6, 14.1.2, 14.1.2.1, 14.1.2.2, 14.1.2.3, 14.1.2.4, 14.1.2.5, 14.1.2.6, 14.1.2.7, 14.1.2.8, 14.1.3, 14.1.3.1, 15.0.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.1.1, 15.0.1.2, 15.0.1.3, 15.0.1.4

Fixed In:
15.1.0, 14.1.4, 13.1.3.6

Opened: Sep 05, 2018

Severity: 3-Major

Symptoms

The order of interfaces in BIG-IP Virtual Edition (VE) is determined by the Linux kernel. The order of interfaces on BIG-IP systems tmm does not match the one determined by the Linux.

Impact

Sometimes the order between the two does not match. This makes it difficult to reliably use the order with automation to ensure the right devices belong to the correct VLANs, and other operations.

Conditions

-- Repeatedly deploy BIG-IP configurations within KVM with many (e.g., 6 or more) interfaces. -- Observe the order of devices on the PCI bus and the order that they are enumerated within tmm (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.).

Workaround

Interrogate the MAC addresses of interfaces to map them against NIC definitions to determine the order.

Fix Information

There is now a predictable NIC ordering based on PCI coordinates until ordering is saved.

Behavior Change

The NIC ordering is now based on PCI co-ordinates, so you no longer need to interrogate the MAC addresses of interfaces to map them against NIC definitions to determine the order.

Guides & references

K10134038: F5 Bug Tracker Filter Names and Tips