# \`nvidia-smi\` Doesn't display Tesla Series GPU
**URL:** https://discourse.nixos.org/t/nvidia-smi-doesnt-display-tesla-series-gpu/58476
**Category:** Help
**Created:** [January 8, 2025, 3:55am UTC](https://discourse.nixos.org/t/nvidia-smi-doesnt-display-tesla-series-gpu/58476 "2025-01-08T03:55:14Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@ParkedHampster](https://discourse.nixos.org/u/ParkedHampster)
#### Post date: [January 8, 2025, 3:55am UTC](https://discourse.nixos.org/t/nvidia-smi-doesnt-display-tesla-series-gpu/58476/1 "2025-01-08T03:55:14Z")
I have a recent install of NixOS
Both `nvtop` and `nvidia-smi` are unable to detect my Tesla-series Nvidia card
> **Outputs:**
>
> ```normal
> $ nvtop
> No GPU to monitor.
>
> ```
>
> ```normal
> $ nvidia-smi
> NVIDIA-SMI has failed because it couldn't communicate with the NVIDIA driver. Make sure that the latest NVIDIA driver is installed and running.
>
> ```
I have tried a few different options in my configuration.nix file
here is the output of `lspci | grep -vga`:
> **Output:**
>
> ```normal
> 04:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation GM204GL [Tesla M60] (rev a1)
> 05:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation GM204GL [Tesla M60] (rev a1)
> 0b:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ASPEED Technology, Inc. ASPEED Graphics Family (rev 30)
>
> ```
I believe these to be the relevant config settings:
> **nvidia.nix**
>
> ```nix
> { config, pkgs, ... }:
> {
> nix.settings = {
> substituters = ["https://cuda-maintainers.cachix.org"];
> # ?
> # unsure if this is needed
> trusted-public-keys = [
> "cuda-maintainers.cachix.org-1:0dq3bujKpuEPMCX6U4WylrUDZ9JyUG0VpVZa7CNfq5E="
> ];
> };
>
> environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [
> cudatoolkit
> linuxPackages.nvidia_x11
> libGLU libGL
> ];
>
> # OpenGL
> hardware.graphics = {
> enable = true;
> enable32Bit = true;
> };
>
> hardware.nvidia = {
> modesetting.enable = true; # I have also set this to false based on some suggestions I've seen
> powerManagement.enable = true; # this has been both true and false
> powerManagement.finegrained = false;
> open = false; # this has been both true and false
> nvidiaSettings = true;
> package = config.boot.kernelPackages.nvidiaPackages.production;
>
> # from https://discourse.nixos.org/t/nvidia-drivers-not-loading/40913/12
> #?
> forceFullCompositionPipeline = true;
> #?
>
> prime = {
> offload.enable = true;
> reverseSync.enable = true;
> #nvidiaBusId = "PCI:05:00:0";
> intelBusId = "PCI:0b:00:0";
> nvidiaBusId = "PCI:04:00:0";
> };
> # enabling this fails to build
> # datacenter.enable = true;
> };
>
> # uncommenting this leaves the screen at an uninteractable screen
> #services.xserver.videoDrivers = ["nvidia"];
> # boot.initrd.kernelModules = ["nvidia" "i915" "nvidia_modeset" "nvidia_uvm" "nvidia_drm"];
> boot.kernelParams = ["nvidia_drm.fbdev=1"];
> }
>
> ```
There are (obviously) other configuration set, but they are across multiple \*.nix files
An important note to add - I am using xfce as a desktop environment on this server.
I’ve never used a DE on a server before this, but I’m not sure if that is entirely relevant.
Overall, I’m having a lot of trouble finding consistent information related to CUDA drivers, and almost no information related to server GPUs specifically.
Nvidia’s site indicates that the proper driver for my card should be the 550 driver, which seems to be the same one available in the production package.
I’m also having trouble finding any information related to GPUs that account for multiple PCI slots.
I’m fairly new to NixOS, so if there’s anything obvious that I’m missing, please let me know - or if there’s anything that may be breaking this that I’m just not accounting for.
---
### Author:  [@ParkedHampster](https://discourse.nixos.org/u/ParkedHampster)
#### Post date: [January 8, 2025, 5:37pm UTC](https://discourse.nixos.org/t/nvidia-smi-doesnt-display-tesla-series-gpu/58476/2 "2025-01-08T17:37:38Z")
In conversation with a friend directly, some questions were raised, notable:
> What is the error message that comes from uncommenting the `datacenter.enable = true;` line?
> **Output with hardware.nvidia.datacenter:**
>
> ```bash
> # nixos-rebuild switch
> building Nix...
> building the system configuration...
> error:
> … while calling the 'head' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:35741:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'value'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:33591:
> … while evaluating the option `system.build.toplevel':
>
> … while evaluating definitions from `/nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/activation/top-level.nix':
>
> … while evaluating the option `warnings':
>
> … while evaluating definitions from `/nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/boot/systemd.nix':
>
> … while evaluating the option `systemd.services.nvidia-fabricmanager.serviceConfig':
>
> … while evaluating definitions from `/nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/hardware/video/nvidia.nix':
>
> (stack trace truncated; use '--show-trace' to show the full, detailed trace)
>
> error: lib.meta.getExe': The first argument is of type set, but it should be a derivation instead.
>
> ```
> **Above with --show-trace**
>
> ```bash
> # nrs --show-trace
> building Nix...
> building the system configuration...
> error:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/default.nix:1:277:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:35596:
> … while calling the 'head' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:35741:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:27631:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:27748:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:9031:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'value'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:33591:
> … while evaluating the option `system.build.toplevel':
>
> … while evaluating the attribute 'mergedValue'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34959:
> … while evaluating a branch condition
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34979:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'values'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34766:
> … while evaluating a branch condition
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34612:
> … while calling the 'any' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34615:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'values'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:38484:
> … while calling the 'concatMap' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:38493:
> … while calling the 'concatMap' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34231:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34242:
> … while calling the 'map' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34255:
> … while evaluating definitions from `/nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/activation/top-level.nix':
>
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34372:
> … while calling 'dischargeProperties'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:37119:
> … while evaluating a branch condition
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:37128:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'value'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:24665:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/activation/top-level.nix:1:2760:
> … while calling 'showWarnings'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/trivial.nix:1:16786:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/trivial.nix:1:16791:
> … while calling 'foldr'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/lists.nix:1:1920:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/lists.nix:1:2069:
> … while calling 'fold''
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/lists.nix:1:1973:
> … while evaluating a branch condition
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/lists.nix:1:1984:
> … while calling the 'length' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/lists.nix:1:1946:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/activation/top-level.nix:1:2773:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:27631:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:27748:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:9031:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'value'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:33591:
> … while evaluating the option `warnings':
>
> (10 duplicate frames omitted)
>
> … while evaluating definitions from `/nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/boot/systemd.nix':
>
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34372:
> … while calling 'dischargeProperties'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:37119:
> … while evaluating a branch condition
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:37128:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'value'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:24665:
> … while calling the 'concatLists' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/boot/systemd.nix:1:13423:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:24457:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:24463:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/boot/systemd.nix:1:13473:
> … while calling the 'concatLists' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/boot/systemd.nix:1:13724:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/boot/systemd.nix:1:13753:
> … while calling 'optional'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/lists.nix:1:14530:
> … while evaluating a branch condition
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/lists.nix:1:14536:
> … in the left operand of the AND (&&) operator
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/boot/systemd.nix:1:13781:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/boot/systemd.nix:1:13515:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:27631:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:27748:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:9031:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'value'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:33591:
> … while evaluating the option `systemd.services.nvidia-fabricmanager.serviceConfig':
>
> … while evaluating the attribute 'mergedValue'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34959:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:35055:
> … while calling 'merge'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/types.nix:1:19811:
> … while calling the 'mapAttrs' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/types.nix:1:19825:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/types.nix:1:19851:
> … while calling 'filterAttrs'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:15891:
> … while calling the 'removeAttrs' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:15900:
> … while calling the 'filter' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:15917:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:15925:
> … in the argument of the not operator
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:15933:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:15933:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/types.nix:1:19867:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:15943:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/types.nix:1:19902:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'optionalValue'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:35609:
> … while evaluating a branch condition
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:35631:
> (8 duplicate frames omitted)
>
> … while evaluating definitions from `/nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/hardware/video/nvidia.nix':
>
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34372:
> … while calling 'dischargeProperties'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:37119:
> … while evaluating a branch condition
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:37128:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'value'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/types.nix:1:20091:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/hardware/video/nvidia.nix:1:30380:
> … while calling 'getExe'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/meta.nix:1:8960:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/meta.nix:1:8963:
> … while calling 'getExe''
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/meta.nix:1:10272:
> … in the condition of the assert statement
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/meta.nix:1:10279:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/meta.nix:1:10286:
> … while calling 'assertMsg'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/asserts.nix:1:700:
> … in the right operand of the OR (||) operator
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/asserts.nix:1:710:
> … while calling the 'throw' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/asserts.nix:1:713:
> error: lib.meta.getExe': The first argument is of type set, but it should be a derivation instead.
>
> ```
The idea to use `hardware.nvidia.datacenter.enable = true;` came from this post from 2022:
> [@How to use NVIDIA V100/A100 GPUs?](https://discourse.nixos.org/t/how-to-use-nvidia-v100-a100-gpus/17754):
>
> AFAIU the current NVIDIA driver packaged is 495.44. However this driver [doesn’t support important “data center” GPUs](https://www.nvidia.com/Download/driverResults.aspx/181274/en-us), esp. V100’s and A100’s. For example, nvidia-smi works just fine on an g4dn.xlarge instance (T4), but fails to detect the GPU on a p3.2xlarge instance (V100): ❯ nvidia-smi No devices were found How does one use V100s/A100s in NixOS? It looks like there are drivers readily [available here](https://www.nvidia.com/Download/driverResults.aspx/161771/en-us).
A bit more specifically, the idea to use `nvidia-container-toolkit` came from there, and the `datacenter` option was explicitly mentioned when `hardware.nvidia-container-toolkit.enable = true;` is set, as having that and running `nixos-rebuild switch` results in the following:
> **Output with nvidia-container-toolkit:**
>
> ```bash
> # nixos-rebuild switch
> building Nix...
> building the system configuration...
> error:
> … while calling the 'head' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:35741:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'value'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:33591:
> … while evaluating the option `system.build.toplevel':
>
> … while evaluating definitions from `/nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/activation/top-level.nix':
>
> (stack trace truncated; use '--show-trace' to show the full, detailed trace)
>
> error:
> Failed assertions:
> - `nvidia-container-toolkit` requires nvidia datacenter or desktop drivers: set `hardware.nvidia.datacenter.enable` or add "nvidia" to `services.xserver.videoDrivers`
>
> ```
> **Above but with --show-trace**
>
> ```bash
> # nrs --show-trace
> building Nix...
> building the system configuration...
> error:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/default.nix:1:277:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:35596:
> … while calling the 'head' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:35741:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:27631:
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/attrsets.nix:1:27748:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:9031:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'value'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:33591:
> … while evaluating the option `system.build.toplevel':
>
> … while evaluating the attribute 'mergedValue'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34959:
> … while evaluating a branch condition
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34979:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'values'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34766:
> … while evaluating a branch condition
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34612:
> … while calling the 'any' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34615:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'values'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:38484:
> … while calling the 'concatMap' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:38493:
> … while calling the 'concatMap' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34231:
> … while calling anonymous lambda
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34242:
> … while calling the 'map' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34255:
> … while evaluating definitions from `/nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/activation/top-level.nix':
>
> … from call site
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:34372:
> … while calling 'dischargeProperties'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:37119:
> … while evaluating a branch condition
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:37128:
> … while evaluating the attribute 'value'
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/lib/modules.nix:1:24665:
> … while calling the 'throw' builtin
> at /nix/var/nix/profiles/per-user/root/channels/nixos/nixos/modules/system/activation/top-level.nix:1:2659:
> error:
> Failed assertions:
> - `nvidia-container-toolkit` requires nvidia datacenter or desktop drivers: set `hardware.nvidia.datacenter.enable` or add "nvidia" to `services.xserver.videoDrivers`
>
> ```
I still see this as an option here:
> **[hardware.nvidia.datacenter.enable - MyNixOS](https://mynixos.com/nixpkgs/option/hardware.nvidia.datacenter.enable)**
>
> NixOS option hardware.nvidia.datacenter.enable declared in nixpkgs. Whether to enable Data Center drivers for NVIDIA cards on a NVLink topology.
But I’m not sure how much of an authority that is
---
### Author:  [@rpcruz](https://discourse.nixos.org/u/rpcruz)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2025, 1:33am UTC](https://discourse.nixos.org/t/nvidia-smi-doesnt-display-tesla-series-gpu/58476/3 "2025-12-21T01:33:18Z")
I think it’s because you are asking for the production package. For me, datacenter.enable=true fails when using any package other than config.boot.kernelPackages.nvidiaPackages.dm (or just leaving it ommitted).