

# Enhanced networking with the Intel 82599 VF interface
Intel 82599 VF

For [Xen-based instances](instance-types.md#instance-hypervisor-type), the Intel 82599 Virtual Function (VF) interface provides enhanced networking capabilities. The interface uses the Intel `ixgbevf` driver.

The following tabs show how to verify the network adapter driver that's installed for your instance operating system.

------
#### [ Linux ]

**Linux network interface driver**  
Use the following command to verify that the module is being used on a particular interface, substituting the interface name that you want to check. If you are using a single interface (default), this is `eth0`. If the operating system supports [predictable network names](#predictable-network-names-sriov), this could be a name like `ens5`.

In the following example, the `ixgbevf` module is not loaded, because the listed driver is `vif`.

```
[ec2-user ~]$ ethtool -i eth0
driver: vif
version:
firmware-version:
bus-info: vif-0
supports-statistics: yes
supports-test: no
supports-eeprom-access: no
supports-register-dump: no
supports-priv-flags: no
```

In this example, the `ixgbevf` module is loaded. This instance has enhanced networking properly configured.

```
[ec2-user ~]$ ethtool -i eth0
driver: ixgbevf
version: 4.0.3
firmware-version: N/A
bus-info: 0000:00:03.0
supports-statistics: yes
supports-test: yes
supports-eeprom-access: no
supports-register-dump: yes
supports-priv-flags: no
```

------
#### [ Windows ]

**Windows network adapter**  
To verify that the driver is installed, connect to your instance and open Device Manager. You should see `Intel(R) 82599 Virtual Function` listed under **Network adapters**.

------

**Topics**
+ [

## Prepare your instance for enhanced networking
](#ixgbevf-requirements)
+ [

## Test whether enhanced networking is enabled
](#test-enhanced-networking)
+ [

## Enable enhanced networking on your instance
](#enable-enhanced-networking)
+ [

## Troubleshoot connectivity issues
](#enhanced-networking-troubleshooting)

## Prepare your instance for enhanced networking


To prepare for enhanced networking using the Intel 82599 VF interface, set up your instance as follows:
+ Verify that the instance type is one of the following: C3, C4, D2, I2, M4 (excluding `m4.16xlarge`), and R3.
+ Ensure that the instance has internet connectivity.
+ If you have important data on the instance that you want to preserve, you should back that data up now by creating an AMI from your instance. Updating kernels and kernel modules, as well as enabling the `sriovNetSupport` attribute, might render incompatible instances or operating systems unreachable. If you have a recent backup, your data will still be retained if this happens.
+ **Linux instances** – Launch the instance from an HVM AMI using Linux kernel version of 2.6.32 or later. The latest Amazon Linux HVM AMIs have the modules required for enhanced networking installed and have the required attributes set. Therefore, if you launch an Amazon EBS–backed, enhanced networking–supported instance using a current Amazon Linux HVM AMI, enhanced networking is already enabled for your instance.
**Warning**  
Enhanced networking is supported only for HVM instances. Enabling enhanced networking with a PV instance can make it unreachable. Setting this attribute without the proper module or module version can also make your instance unreachable.
+ **Windows instances** – Launch the instance from a 64-bit HVM AMI. You can't enable enhanced networking on Windows Server 2008. Enhanced networking is already enabled for Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016 and later AMIs. Windows Server 2012 R2 includes Intel driver 1.0.15.3 and we recommend that you upgrade that driver to the latest version using the Pnputil.exe utility.
+ Use [AWS CloudShell](https://console.aws.amazon.com/cloudshell) from the AWS Management Console, or install and configure the [AWS CLI](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/cli-chap-getting-started.html) or the [AWS Tools for Windows PowerShell](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/userguide/) on any computer you choose, preferably your local desktop or laptop. For more information, see [Access Amazon EC2](concepts.md#access-ec2) or the [AWS CloudShell User Guide](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cloudshell/latest/userguide/welcome.html). Enhanced networking cannot be managed from the Amazon EC2 console.

## Test whether enhanced networking is enabled


Verify that the `sriovNetSupport` attribute is set on the instance or the image.

------
#### [ AWS CLI ]

**To check the instance attribute (sriovNetSupport)**  
Use the following [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/describe-instance-attribute.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/describe-instance-attribute.html) command. If the attribute is set, the value is `simple`.

```
aws ec2 describe-instance-attribute \
    --instance-id i-1234567890abcdef0 \
    --attribute sriovNetSupport
```

**To check the image attribute (sriovNetSupport)**  
Use the following [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/describe-images.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/describe-images.html) command. If the attribute is set, the value is `simple`.

```
aws ec2 describe-images \
    --image-id ami-0abcdef1234567890 \
    --query "Images[].SriovNetSupport"
```

------
#### [ PowerShell ]

**To check the instance attribute (sriovNetSupport)**  
Use the [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Get-EC2InstanceAttribute.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Get-EC2InstanceAttribute.html) cmdlet. If the attribute is set, the value is `simple`.

```
Get-EC2InstanceAttribute `
    -InstanceId i-1234567890abcdef0 `
    -Attribute sriovNetSupport
```

**To check the image attribute (sriovNetSupport)**  
Use the following [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/describe-images.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/describe-images.html) command. If the attribute is set, the value is `simple`.

```
(Get-EC2Image -ImageId ami-0abcdef1234567890).SriovNetSupport
```

------

## Enable enhanced networking on your instance


The procedure that you use depends on the operating system of the instance.

**Warning**  
There is no way to disable the enhanced networking attribute after you've enabled it.

### Amazon Linux


The latest Amazon Linux HVM AMIs have the `ixgbevf` module required for enhanced networking installed and have the required `sriovNetSupport` attribute set. Therefore, if you launch an instance type using a current Amazon Linux HVM AMI, enhanced networking is already enabled for your instance. For more information, see [Test whether enhanced networking is enabled](#test-enhanced-networking).

If you launched your instance using an older Amazon Linux AMI and it does not have enhanced networking enabled already, use the following procedure to enable enhanced networking.

**To enable enhanced networking**

1. <a name="amazon-linux-enhanced-networking-start-step"></a>Connect to your instance.

1. From the instance, run the following command to update your instance with the newest kernel and kernel modules, including `ixgbevf`:

   ```
   [ec2-user ~]$ sudo yum update
   ```

1. From your local computer, reboot your instance using the Amazon EC2 console or one of the following commands: [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/reboot-instances.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/reboot-instances.html) (AWS CLI) or [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Restart-EC2Instance.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Restart-EC2Instance.html) (AWS Tools for Windows PowerShell).

1. <a name="amazon-linux-enhanced-networking-stop-step"></a>Connect to your instance again and verify that the `ixgbevf` module is installed and at the minimum recommended version using the **modinfo ixgbevf** command from [Test whether enhanced networking is enabled](#test-enhanced-networking).

1. [EBS-backed instance] From your local computer, stop the instance using the Amazon EC2 console or one of the following commands: [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/stop-instances.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/stop-instances.html) (AWS CLI) or [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Stop-EC2Instance.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Stop-EC2Instance.html) (AWS Tools for Windows PowerShell).

   [Instance store-backed instance] You can't stop the instance to modify the attribute. Instead, skip to the next procedure.

1. From your local computer, enable the enhanced networking attribute using one of the following commands:

------
#### [ AWS CLI ]

   Use the [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/modify-instance-attribute.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/modify-instance-attribute.html) command as follows.

   ```
   aws ec2 modify-instance-attribute \
       --instance-id i-1234567890abcdef0 \
       --sriov-net-support simple
   ```

------
#### [ PowerShell ]

   Use the [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Edit-EC2InstanceAttribute.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Edit-EC2InstanceAttribute.html) cmdlet as follows.

   ```
   Edit-EC2InstanceAttribute `
       -InstanceId i-1234567890abcdef0 `
       -SriovNetSupport "simple"
   ```

------

1. (Optional) Create an AMI from the instance, as described in [Create an Amazon EBS-backed AMI](creating-an-ami-ebs.md). The AMI inherits the enhanced networking attribute from the instance. Therefore, you can use this AMI to launch another instance with enhanced networking enabled by default.

1. From your local computer, start the instance using the Amazon EC2 console or one of the following commands: [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/start-instances.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/start-instances.html) (AWS CLI) or [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Start-EC2Instance.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Start-EC2Instance.html) (AWS Tools for Windows PowerShell).

1. Connect to your instance and verify that the `ixgbevf` module is installed and loaded on your network interface using the **ethtool -i eth*n*** command from [Test whether enhanced networking is enabled](#test-enhanced-networking).

**To enable enhanced networking (instance store-backed instances)**  
Follow the previous procedure until the step where you stop the instance. Create a new AMI as described in [Create an Amazon S3-backed AMI](creating-an-ami-instance-store.md), making sure to enable the enhanced networking attribute when you register the AMI.

------
#### [ AWS CLI ]

Use the [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/register-image.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/register-image.html) command as follows.

```
aws ec2 register-image --sriov-net-support simple ...
```

------
#### [ PowerShell ]

Use [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Register-EC2Image.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Register-EC2Image.html) as follows.

```
Register-EC2Image -SriovNetSupport "simple" ...
```

------

### Ubuntu


Before you begin, [check if enhanced networking is already enabled](#test-enhanced-networking) on your instance.

The Quick Start Ubuntu HVM AMIs include the necessary drivers for enhanced networking. If you have a version of `ixgbevf` earlier than 2.16.4, you can install the `linux-aws` kernel package to get the latest enhanced networking drivers.

The following procedure provides the general steps for compiling the `ixgbevf` module on an Ubuntu instance.<a name="ubuntu-enhanced-networking-procedure"></a>

**To install the `linux-aws` kernel package**

1. <a name="ubuntu-enhanced-networking-start-step"></a>Connect to your instance.

1. Update the package cache and packages.

   ```
   ubuntu:~$ sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y linux-aws
   ```
**Important**  
If during the update process, you are prompted to install `grub`, use `/dev/xvda` to install `grub`, and then choose to keep the current version of `/boot/grub/menu.lst`.

### Other Linux distributions


Before you begin, [check if enhanced networking is already enabled](#test-enhanced-networking) on your instance. The latest Quick Start HVM AMIs include the necessary drivers for enhanced networking, therefore you do not need to perform additional steps. 

The following procedure provides the general steps if you need to enable enhanced networking with the Intel 82599 VF interface on a Linux distribution other than Amazon Linux or Ubuntu. For more information, such as detailed syntax for commands, file locations, or package and tool support, see the specific documentation for your Linux distribution.

**To enable enhanced networking on Linux**

1. <a name="other-linux-enhanced-networking-start-step"></a>Connect to your instance.

1. Download the source for the `ixgbevf` module on your instance from Sourceforge at [https://sourceforge.net/projects/e1000/files/ixgbevf%20stable/](https://sourceforge.net/projects/e1000/files/ixgbevf%20stable/).

   Versions of `ixgbevf` earlier than 2.16.4, including version 2.14.2, do not build properly on some Linux distributions, including certain versions of Ubuntu.

1. Compile and install the `ixgbevf` module on your instance.
**Warning**  
If you compile the `ixgbevf` module for your current kernel and then upgrade your kernel without rebuilding the driver for the new kernel, your system might revert to the distribution-specific `ixgbevf` module at the next reboot. This could make your system unreachable if the distribution-specific version is incompatible with enhanced networking.

1. Run the **sudo depmod** command to update module dependencies.

1. <a name="other-linux-enhanced-networking-stop-step"></a>Update `initramfs` on your instance to ensure that the new module loads at boot time.

1. <a name="predictable-network-names-sriov"></a>Determine if your system uses predictable network interface names by default. Systems that use **systemd** or **udev** versions 197 or greater can rename Ethernet devices and they do not guarantee that a single network interface will be named `eth0`. This behavior can cause problems connecting to your instance. For more information and to see other configuration options, see [Predictable Network Interface Names](https://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/systemd/PredictableNetworkInterfaceNames/) on the freedesktop.org website.

   1. You can check the **systemd** or **udev** versions on RPM-based systems with the following command:

      ```
      [ec2-user ~]$ rpm -qa | grep -e '^systemd-[0-9]\+\|^udev-[0-9]\+'
      				systemd-208-11.el7_0.2.x86_64
      ```

      In the above Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 example, the **systemd** version is 208, so predictable network interface names must be disabled.

   1. Disable predictable network interface names by adding the `net.ifnames=0` option to the `GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX` line in `/etc/default/grub`.

      ```
      [ec2-user ~]$ sudo sed -i '/^GRUB\_CMDLINE\_LINUX/s/\"$/\ net\.ifnames\=0\"/' /etc/default/grub
      ```

   1. Rebuild the grub configuration file.

      ```
      [ec2-user ~]$ sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
      ```

1. [EBS-backed instance] From your local computer, stop the instance using the Amazon EC2 console or one of the following commands: [stop-instances](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/stop-instances.html) (AWS CLI) or [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Stop-EC2Instance.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Stop-EC2Instance.html) (AWS Tools for Windows PowerShell).

   [Instance store-backed instance] You can't stop the instance to modify the attribute. Instead, skip to the next procedure.

1. From your local computer, enable the enhanced networking attribute using one of the following commands:

------
#### [ AWS CLI ]

   Use the [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/modify-instance-attribute.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/modify-instance-attribute.html) command as follows.

   ```
   aws ec2 modify-instance-attribute \
       --instance-id i-1234567890abcdef0 -\
       -sriov-net-support simple
   ```

------
#### [ PowerShell ]

   Use the [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Edit-EC2InstanceAttribute.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Edit-EC2InstanceAttribute.html) cmdlet as follows.

   ```
   Edit-EC2InstanceAttribute `
       -InstanceId i-1234567890abcdef0 `
       -SriovNetSupport "simple"
   ```

------

1. (Optional) Create an AMI from the instance, as described in [Create an Amazon EBS-backed AMI](creating-an-ami-ebs.md). The AMI inherits the enhanced networking attribute from the instance. Therefore, you can use this AMI to launch another instance with enhanced networking enabled by default.

   If your instance operating system contains an `/etc/udev/rules.d/70-persistent-net.rules` file, you must delete it before creating the AMI. This file contains the MAC address for the Ethernet adapter of the original instance. If another instance boots with this file, the operating system will be unable to find the device and `eth0` might fail, causing boot issues. This file is regenerated at the next boot cycle, and any instances launched from the AMI create their own version of the file.

1. From your local computer, start the instance using the Amazon EC2 console or one of the following commands: [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/start-instances.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/start-instances.html) (AWS CLI) or [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Start-EC2Instance.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Start-EC2Instance.html) (AWS Tools for Windows PowerShell).

1. (Optional) Connect to your instance and verify that the module is installed.

**To enable enhanced networking (instance store–backed instances)**  
Follow the previous procedure until the step where you stop the instance. Create a new AMI as described in [Create an Amazon S3-backed AMI](creating-an-ami-instance-store.md), making sure to enable the enhanced networking attribute when you register the AMI.

------
#### [ AWS CLI ]

Use the [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/register-image.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/register-image.html) command as follows.

```
aws ec2 register-image --sriov-net-support simple ...
```

------
#### [ PowerShell ]

Use [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Register-EC2Image.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Register-EC2Image.html) as follows.

```
Register-EC2Image -SriovNetSupport "simple" ...
```

------

### Windows


If you launched your instance and it does not have enhanced networking enabled already, you must download and install the required network adapter driver on your instance, and then set the `sriovNetSupport` instance attribute to activate enhanced networking. You can only enable this attribute on supported instance types. For more information, see [Enhanced networking on Amazon EC2 instances](enhanced-networking.md).

**Important**  
To view the latest driver updates in the Windows AMIs, see [Windows AMI version history](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/ec2/latest/windows-ami-reference/ec2-windows-ami-version-history.html) in the *AWS Windows AMI Reference*.

**To enable enhanced networking**

1. <a name="amazon-linux-enhanced-networking-start-step"></a>Connect to your instance and log in as the local administrator.

1. [Windows Server 2016 and later] Run the following EC2 Launch PowerShell script to configure the instance after the driver is installed.

   ```
   PS C:\> C:\ProgramData\Amazon\EC2-Windows\Launch\Scripts\InitializeInstance.ps1 -Schedule
   ```
**Important**  
The administrator password will reset when you enable the initialize instance EC2 Launch script. You can modify the configuration file to disable the administrator password reset by specifying it in the settings for the initialization tasks.

1. From the instance, download the Intel network adapter driver for your operating system:
   + **Windows Server 2022**

     Visit the [ download page](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/706171/intel-network-adapter-driver-for-windows-server-2022.html) and download `Wired_driver_version_x64.zip`.
   + **Windows Server 2019** including for Server version 1809 and later\$1

     Visit the [ download page](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19372/intel-network-adapter-driver-for-windows-server-2019.html) and download `Wired_driver_version_x64.zip`.
   + **Windows Server 2016** including for Server version 1803 and earlier\$1

     Visit the [ download page](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/18737/intel-network-adapter-driver-for-windows-server-2016.html) and download `Wired_driver_version_x64.zip`.
   + **Windows Server 2012 R2**

     Visit the [ download page](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/17480/intel-network-adapter-driver-for-windows-server-2012-r2.html) and download `Wired_driver_version_x64.zip`.
   + **Windows Server 2012**

     Visit the [ download page](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/16789/intel-network-adapter-driver-for-windows-server-2012.html) and download `Wired_driver_version_x64.zip`.
   + **Windows Server 2008 R2**

     Visit the [ download page](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/15590/intel-network-adapter-driver-for-windows-7-final-release.html) and download `PROWinx64Legacy.exe`.

   \$1Server versions 1803 and earlier as well as 1809 and later are not specifically addressed on the Intel Drivers and Software pages.

1. Install the Intel network adapter driver for your operating system.
   + **Windows Server 2008 R2**

     1. In the **Downloads** folder, locate the `PROWinx64Legacy.exe` file and rename it to `PROWinx64Legacy.zip`.

     1. Extract the contents of the `PROWinx64Legacy.zip` file.

     1. Open the command line, navigate to the extracted folder, and run the following command to use the `pnputil` utility to add and install the INF file in the driver store.

        ```
        C:\> pnputil -a PROXGB\Winx64\NDIS62\vxn62x64.inf
        ```
   + **Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows Server 2012**

     1. In the **Downloads** folder, extract the contents of the `Wired_driver_version_x64.zip` file.

     1. Open the command line, navigate to the extracted folder, and run one of the following commands to use the `pnputil` utility to add and install the INF file in the driver store.
        + Windows Server 2022

          ```
          pnputil -i -a PROXGB\Winx64\NDIS68\vxn68x64.inf
          ```
        + Windows Server 2019

          ```
          pnputil -i -a PROXGB\Winx64\NDIS68\vxn68x64.inf
          ```
        + Windows Server 2016

          ```
          pnputil -i -a PROXGB\Winx64\NDIS65\vxn65x64.inf
          ```
        + Windows Server 2012 R2

          ```
          pnputil -i -a PROXGB\Winx64\NDIS64\vxn64x64.inf
          ```
        + Windows Server 2012

          ```
          pnputil -i -a PROXGB\Winx64\NDIS63\vxn63x64.inf
          ```

1. From your local computer, enable the enhanced networking attribute using one of the following commands:

------
#### [ AWS CLI ]

   Use the [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/modify-instance-attribute.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/modify-instance-attribute.html) command as follows.

   ```
   aws ec2 modify-instance-attribute \
       --instance-id i-1234567890abcdef0 \
       --sriov-net-support simple
   ```

------
#### [ PowerShell ]

   Use the [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Edit-EC2InstanceAttribute.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Edit-EC2InstanceAttribute.html) cmdlet as follows.

   ```
   Edit-EC2InstanceAttribute `
       -InstanceId i-1234567890abcdef0 `
       -SriovNetSupport "simple"
   ```

------

1. (Optional) Create an AMI from the instance, as described in [Create an Amazon EBS-backed AMI](creating-an-ami-ebs.md). The AMI inherits the enhanced networking attribute from the instance. Therefore, you can use this AMI to launch another instance with enhanced networking enabled by default.

1. From your local computer, start the instance using the Amazon EC2 console or one of the following commands: [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/start-instances.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/start-instances.html) (AWS CLI) or [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Start-EC2Instance.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/latest/reference/items/Start-EC2Instance.html) (AWS Tools for Windows PowerShell).

## Troubleshoot connectivity issues


If you lose connectivity while enabling enhanced networking, the `ixgbevf` module might be incompatible with the kernel. Try installing the version of the `ixgbevf` module included with the distribution of Linux for your instance.

If you enable enhanced networking for a PV instance or AMI, this can make your instance unreachable.

For more information, see [How do I turn on and configure enhanced networking on my EC2 instances?](https://repost.aws/knowledge-center/enable-configure-enhanced-networking)