[Request] ASUS X99-WS/IPMI PCIe Slot Bifurcation

[oksymoronpl]

Hello,

I am a happy owner of ASUS X99-WS/IPMI motherboard in my home server however I am in dire need of a more NVMe storage. What I would like to have in the end is a PCIe x16 Slot bifurcated into x4x4x4x4 configuration, which from what I read is possible. I am however not skilled enough to modify BIOS to get such result. I do have a 40-lane Xeon installed.

I offer a $20 bounty for two modded BIOS files:
1) $10 for a mod that will change my PCIe x16 Slot 2 and slot 3 from x16 to x4x4x4x4, or a BIOS that will allow me to change the bifurcation parameters myself, whatever is easier and possible.
2) $10 for a mod that will change my PCIe x16 slots 4 and 5 from x8 to x4x4, or a BIOS that will allow me to change the bifurcation parameters myself, whatever is easier and possible. Considering that I have 3 PCIe cards installed at the moment, and bifurcation would allow me to install another two x2 NVMe cards in the system this will be probably the way to go.

If need be, M.2 slot that is present on the motherboard can be turned off however from what I gathered, this M.2 slot is connected to PCH rather than CPU so it should not matter(?)

Below you will find a PCIe Layout diagram taken from the motherboard User Guide and a link to BIOS file from ASUS website.
I hope someone skilled will find this post and help the man in need. Thank you.

Bios file: https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/So...99-WS/IPMI

[Maxinator500]

Hello,

Still looking for help? I found bifurcation settings for ports 1-3 in IntelRCSetup - IIO Configuration - IIO. I can try adding IntelRCSetup page to the bios. However, you should learn how to use flashback function first as the usual way of bios update won't work

I don't like the idea of bounty. If my mod unlocks bifuraction, I'd want to prolong my subscription on bios-downloads com instead, which is exactly 10 us.

[oksymoronpl]

Hello,

Still looking for help? I found bifurcation settings for ports 1-3 in IntelRCSetup - IIO Configuration - IIO. I can try adding IntelRCSetup page to the bios. However, you should learn how to use flashback function first as the usual way of bios update won't work

I don't like the idea of bounty. If my mod unlocks bifuraction, I'd want to prolong my subscription on bios-downloads com instead, which is exactly 10 us.

Absolutely I'm Still interested. Sure thing, BIOS flashback is something I am familiar with. If it will work than I am more than happy to to help with the subscription.

[Maxinator500]

oksymoronpl.zip
Find IntelRC menu in the Main tab, under date and time items. The IntelRC must replace the security menu. Let me know if it does, or you want the security menu back so I could give another mod.

[oksymoronpl]

oksymoronpl.zip
Find IntelRC menu in the Main tab, under date and time items. The IntelRC must replace the security menu. Let me know if it does, or you want the security menu back so I could give another mod.

Thank you, I can see the IntelRC menu, I am now moving forward with my NVMe Card installation. Can you please tell me which options should I look for at which IIO to change the X16 slot 2 to 4x4x4x4 config?

[Maxinator500]

which options should I look for at which IIO

It turned out there are multiple IIOs available? I thought only 1 will be available and which, depends on board configuration, but you seeing many? If so, try the settings in "IIO0 Configuration".
IIO 0 was mentioned as the right one.

Look for IOU items. According to the posting:
"IOU0 (IIO PCIe Port 2)" is no.4 pci-e slot
"IOU1 (IIO PCIe Port 3)" is no.1 pci-e slot

Still need to figure out which one corresponds to the "IOU2 (IIO PCIe Port 1)".

[oksymoronpl]

This is what I see in the IntelRC menu - had to upload to imgur.

https://imgur.com/a/DQImmrU

[Maxinator500]

This is what I see in the IntelRC menu

So, IIO0 Configuration and IIO1 Configuration are available. There are also IIO2 and IIO3, which are not visible. ASUS X99-WS/IPMI is a single socket board, which means IIO1 should be also hidden, but it's not for some reason.

Also, I cannot find a good system block diagram, that shows which port is which slot. Only this one. Which has no designations.
Any luck defining slots?

[oksymoronpl]

Do you know any linux tool that I can use to check for IIO? I can easily boot up some distro and check. I have no windows available on me to boot.

[Maxinator500]

Never tinkered with IIO ports, so I don't' know.

Perhaps, here's the correct definition:
Slot 1 - Root Port (no biff)
Slot 2 - Root Port IOU1
Slot 3 - Root Port IOU0
Slot 4 - Root Port (no biff)
Slot 5 - Root Port IOU2

I took the info by this link. Someone tested ports one by one on this exact board, which looks promising.