State Machine

Handling FPGA Images

Platform
Napatech SmartNIC
Content Type
User Guide
Capture Software Version
Link™ Capture Software 12.11

Introduction

The different steps involved in switching the image of a SmartNIC or in uploading a new image to the SmartNIC are tracked through a simple state machine.

SmartNIC image states

A SmartNIC can be in one of these image states:

  • NEUTRAL
  • IMAGE SWITCH EVENT ARMED
  • IMAGE SWITCH EVENT IN PROGRESS
  • FAILED

NEUTRAL state

Under normal operation, the state is NEUTRAL, and the SmartNIC will boot from the primary bank. If the bank fails, the state is automatically set to FAILED and the secondary bank is loaded.

Loading any Napatech driver will emit warnings unless the SmartNIC is in the NEUTRAL state.

If the SmartNIC is in any other state, use the --switch command with the --discard or --confirm argument to reset it (see Switch Mode).

IMAGE SWITCH EVENT ARMED state

The SmartNIC enters the IMAGE SWITCH EVENT ARMED state when a switch is initiated. When in this state the SmartNIC will switch image when it receives the next PCI slot reset event.

IMAGE SWITCH EVENT IN PROGRESS state

The SmartNIC is in the IMAGE SWITCH EVENT IN PROGRESS state when it has loaded an FPGA image from the secondary bank but the switch has not been confirmed by a --switch command with the --confirm argument.

FAILED state

The FAILED state is reached under one of these conditions:

  • The primary image bank was found to be corrupted in the NEUTRAL state.
  • The secondary image bank was found to be corrupted in the IMAGE SWITCH EVENT ARMED state.
  • The SmartNIC observed a second PCI reset event while in the IMAGE SWITCH EVENT IN PROGRESS state.

The FAILED state must be acknowledged by a user before the state is reset back to NEUTRAL.