How to properly configure nvme-epf-script for PCIe detection?

[dmitry663]

Hello, Rick.
I don’t want to cause any inconvenience, but I need some help.

When I run the nvme-epf-script, should the host computer immediately detect the USB storage on the Rock 5B?
Or are there any additional configurations or steps required?
If so, what steps are required?

I connected the Rock 5B to my PC and ran the nvme-epf-script on the Rock 5B.
After running the script, I was able to see the USB storage device as an NVMe on the Rock 5B.
However, neither the Rock 5B nor the PC detected a newly created PCIe device, and I was unable to mount it.

Is there a way to resolve this issue?

Thank you.

[rick-heig]

Hello, No problem feel free to ask for help.

You should run the nvme-epf-script on the Rock 5B prior to booting the host PC.
Once the script launched, you can boot the host PC, the NVMe drive should be visible in BIOS and host PC OS.
(If the host PC is already booted it might be possible to see the device by redoing a PCI enumeration).

You can run with --debug and check if PCI link goes UP and if host PC enables the NVMe controller of the CSD.

There may be issues with IOMMU because there are some problems with the RK3588 PCI controller when host IOMMU is active (you can disable it in BIOS (AMD IOMMU / Intel VT-d) or in Linux in the bootcmd args with amd_iommu=off or intel_iommu=off).

The debug info from the controller should at least inform us if the PCI link gets up, and if the host machine enables the controller, then we can debug further from there.

Depending on cabling and motherboard, PCI link might be unstable (the debug will show it going up and down multiple times), lowering to PCIe 2.0 speeds can solve this.

Best regards,
Rick