diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/emulex/benet/be_cmds.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/emulex/benet/be_cmds.c
index 45d174262d32..7e9be9f4236a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/emulex/benet/be_cmds.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/emulex/benet/be_cmds.c
@@ -2728,6 +2728,26 @@ static int be_flash(struct be_adapter *adapter, const u8 *img,
 	return 0;
 }
 
+#define NCSI_UPDATE_LOG	"NCSI section update is not supported in FW ver %s\n"
+static bool be_fw_ncsi_supported(char *ver)
+{
+	int v1[4] = {3, 102, 148, 0}; /* Min ver that supports NCSI FW */
+	int v2[4];
+	int i;
+
+	if (sscanf(ver, "%d.%d.%d.%d", &v2[0], &v2[1], &v2[2], &v2[3]) != 4)
+		return false;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+		if (v1[i] < v2[i])
+			return true;
+		else if (v1[i] > v2[i])
+			return false;
+	}
+
+	return true;
+}
+
 /* For BE2, BE3 and BE3-R */
 static int be_flash_BEx(struct be_adapter *adapter,
 			const struct firmware *fw,
@@ -2805,8 +2825,10 @@ static int be_flash_BEx(struct be_adapter *adapter,
 			continue;
 
 		if ((pflashcomp[i].optype == OPTYPE_NCSI_FW) &&
-		    memcmp(adapter->fw_ver, "3.102.148.0", 11) < 0)
+		    !be_fw_ncsi_supported(adapter->fw_ver)) {
+			dev_info(dev, NCSI_UPDATE_LOG, adapter->fw_ver);
 			continue;
+		}
 
 		if (pflashcomp[i].optype == OPTYPE_PHY_FW  &&
 		    !phy_flashing_required(adapter))