MoonGen/libmoon with Mellanox NICs

Instructions apply to DPDK version: 17.08

In order to use MoonGen/libmoon with Mellanox NICs some addtional steps are necessary as the PMDs for those NICs have external dependecies.

Additional prerequisites

Mellanox OFED version: 4.1; Download from here. Other versions may work (check the driver compatibility matrix), though that has not been tested.

Use one of the following options for installation:
- install the complete Mellanox OFED. For installation refer to the installation manual from the related documents section. The install procedure will also guide you through the firmware update. Caution: The installation will uninstall certain software which conflicts with Mellnox OFED such as previous versions of itself.
- install only the required packages. The required packages are: libibverbs, libmlx5, mlnx-ofed-kernel packages. These packages can be found in the DEBS folder of Mellanox DPDK. Install the by executing:
```
  sudo apt install /<Path to MLNX_OFED>/DEBS/<packetname>.deb 
```
  Complete List of the names of the required .deb files:
```
  libibverbs1[...].deb
  libibverbs1-dev[...].deb
  <OPTIONAL> libibverbs1-dbg[...].deb

  libmlx5[...].deb
  libmlx5-dev[...].deb
  <OPTIONAL> libmlx5-dbg[...].deb

  mlnx-ofed-kernel-only[...].deb
  mlnx-ofed-kernel-dkms[...].deb
  mlnx-ofed-kernel-utils[...].deb
```
Required firmware versions:
- ConnectX-3: 2.40.7000 (or higher)
- ConnectX-4: 12.20.1010 (or higher)
- ConnectX-4 Lx: 14.20.1010 (or higher)
- ConnectX-5: 16.20.1010 (or higher)
- ConnectX-5 Ex: 16.20.1010 (or higher)
The firmware must be updated manually if installation without Mellanox OFED was chosen. See this site for updating instructions.

Compilation

If all prerequisites are fulfilled, install MoonGen/libmoon by executing:

build.sh --mlx5 --mlx4

Leave out Flags which are not needed. Currently only mlx5 is tested and has custom driver patches. However, user reported success with mlx4 devices.

Troubleshooting

Some troubleshooting information can be found here. Also check DPDKs website dedicated to the mlx5 and mlx4 drivers.