Release Notes
=============
-Changes in CSIT |release|
+Changes in |csit-release|
-------------------------
-No code changes apart from bug fixes.
+#. DPDK PERFORMANCE TESTS
+
+ - **Intel Xeon 2n-skx, 3n-skx testbeds**: Testpmd and L3fwd
+ performance test data is not included in this report version.
+ This is due to the lower performance and behaviour inconsistency
+ of these systems following the upgrade of processor microcode
+ packages (skx ucode 0x2000064) as part of updating Ubuntu 18.04
+ LTS kernel version. Tested VPP and DPDK applications (L3fwd) are
+ affected. Skx test data will be added in subsequent maintenance
+ report version(s) once the issue is resolved. See
+ :ref:`dpdk_known_issues`.
+
+ - **Intel Xeon 2n-clx testbeds**: DPDK performance test data is now
+ included in this report, after resolving the issue of lower
+ performance and behaviour inconsistency of these systems due to
+ the Linux kernel driven upgrade of processor microcode packages
+ to 0x500002c. The resolution is to use latest SuperMicro BIOS 3.2
+ (for X11DPG-QT motherboards used) that upgrades processor
+ microcode to 0x500002c, AND NOT kernel provided ucode package as
+ it does put THE system into sub-optimal state.
+
+
+#. DPDK RELEASE VERSION CHANGE
+
+ - |csit-release| tested |dpdk-release|, as used by |vpp-release|.
+
+#. TEST ENVIRONMENT
+
+ - **TRex Fortville NIC Performance**: Received FVL fix from Intel
+ resolving TRex low throughput issue. TRex per FVL NIC throughput
+ increased from ~27 Mpps to the nominal ~37 Mpps. For detail see
+ `CSIT-1503 <https://jira.fd.io/browse/CSIT-1503>`_ and `TRex-519
+ <https://trex-tgn.cisco.com/youtrack/issue/trex-519>`_].
+
+ - **New Intel Xeon Cascadelake Testbeds**: Added performance tests
+ for 2-Node-Cascadelake (2n-clx) testbeds with x710, xxv710 and
+ cx556a-edat NIC cards.
+
+..
+ // Alternative Note for 1st Bullet when bad microcode Skx, Clx results are published
+ - **Intel Xeon 2n-skx, 3n-skx and 2n-clx testbeds**: Testpmd and
+ L3fwd performance test data is included in this report version,
+ but it shows lower performance and behaviour inconsistency of
+ these systems following the upgrade of processor microcode
+ packages (skx ucode 0x2000064, clx ucode 0x500002c) as part of
+ updating Ubuntu 18.04 LTS kernel version. Tested VPP and DPDK
+ applications (L3fwd) are affected. Skx and Clx test data will be
+ corrected in subsequent maintenance report version(s) once the
+ issue is resolved. See :ref:`vpp_known_issues`.
+
+.. _dpdk_known_issues:
Known Issues
------------
-Here is the list of known issues in CSIT |release| for Testpmd performance tests:
-
-+---+---------------------------------------------------+------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
-| # | Issue | Jira ID | Description |
-+---+---------------------------------------------------+------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
-| 1 | Testpmd in 1t1c and 2t2c setups - large variation | CSIT-569 | Suspected NIC firmware or DPDK driver issue affecting NDR |
-| | of discovered NDR throughput values across | | throughput. Applies to XL710 and X710 NICs, no issues observed |
-| | multiple test runs with xl710 and x710 NICs. | | on x520 NICs. |
-+---+---------------------------------------------------+------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
-| 2 | Lower than expected NDR throughput with xl710 | CSIT-571 | Suspected NIC firmware or DPDK driver issue affecting NDR |
-| | and x710 NICs, compared to x520 NICs. | | throughput. Applies to XL710 and X710 NICs. |
-+---+---------------------------------------------------+------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
+List of known issues in |csit-release| for DPDK performance tests:
+
++----+------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+| # | JiraID | Issue Description |
++====+==========================================+==========================================================================================================+
+| 1 | `CSIT-1675 | Intel Xeon 2n-skx, 3n-skx and 2n-clx testbeds behaviour and performance became inconsistent following |
+| | <https://jira.fd.io/browse/CSIT-1675>`_ | the upgrade to the latest Ubuntu 18.04 LTS kernel version (4.15.0-72-generic) and associated microcode |
+| | | packages (skx ucode 0x2000064, clx ucode 0x500002c). VPP as well as DPDK L3fwd tests are affected. |
++----+------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+