When did FWA-6170 start to support virtual network access (in-band) in between BMC and Host?

Purpose

Most of use cases on accessing our BMC through Ethernet is utilizing side band (NC-SI) interface of Network Controller (NC) from external machines.  With security became more and more important, some customers would request to disable such side band interfaces exposed to public network by default.

But, Ethernet interface approach through BMC still has its benefit on updating firmware especially on larger size file (e.g. BIOS).  Because of that , Advantech BMC team came out an alternative solution to allow user perform f/w update through an emulated Ethernet interface (in-band).  You can image this interface is like an USB-Ethernet device connected in between BMC and PCH.  In OS side , you will find an additional Ethernet interface was emulated by kernel.  

Question:  I'm using FWA-6170, but from my OS i cannot find this device by default

Target Audience:

• Advantecher
• Customers

Answer:

This emulated interface came along with BMC features , so , please check your FWA-6170 BMC is on version 1.12 or above.  

If your version is above 1.12 without having this interface, please check your OS Kernel has cdc_ether driver supported by default.

# modinfo usbnet.ko
filename: /root/NGF1.2.0_40995/kernel/linux/drivers/net/usb/usbnet.ko
license: GPL
description: USB network driver framework
author: David Brownell
srcversion: 347FD9CE259BBE9C5FC0599
depends: 
intree: Y
name: usbnet
vermagic: 4.14.90-1.40715 SMP mod_unload 
parm: msg_level:Override default message level (int)

# modinfo cdc_eem.ko
filename: /root/NGF1.2.0_40995/kernel/linux/drivers/net/usb/cdc_eem.ko
license: GPL
description: USB CDC EEM
author: Omar Laazimani <[e-mail]>
srcversion: 07A97BE75F2F8E124A49096
alias: usb:v*p*d*dc*dsc*dp*ic02isc0Cip07in*
depends: usbnet
intree: Y
name: cdc_eem
vermagic: 4.14.90-1.40715 SMP mod_unload