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diff --git a/docs/hardware/kgpe-d16.md b/docs/hardware/kgpe-d16.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..04a8c9be --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/hardware/kgpe-d16.md @@ -0,0 +1,213 @@ +--- +title: ASUS KGPE-D16 server/workstation board +... + +This is a server board using AMD hardware (Fam10h **and Fam15h** CPUs +available). It can also be used for building a high-powered workstation. +Powered by libreboot. The coreboot port was done by Timothy Pearson of +Raptor Engineering Inc. and, working with them (and sponsoring the +work), merged into libreboot. + +**Memory initialization is still problematic, for some modules. We +recommend avoiding Kingston modules.** + +Flashing instructions can be found at +[../install/\#flashrom](../install/#flashrom) - note that external +flashing is required (e.g. BBB), if the proprietary (ASUS) firmware is +currently installed. If you already have libreboot, by default it is +possible to re-flash using software running in GNU+Linux on the +KGPE-D16, without using external hardware. + +CPU compatibility +================= + +**Use Opteron 6200 series (works without microcode updates, including hw +virt).** 6300 series needs microcode updates, so avoid those CPUs. 6100 +series is too old, and mostly untested. + +Board status (compatibility) {#boardstatus} +============================ + +See <https://raptorengineeringinc.com/coreboot/kgpe-d16-status.php>. + +Form factor {#formfactor} +=========== + +These boards use the SSI EEB 3.61 form factor; make sure that your case +supports this. This form factor is similar to E-ATX in that the size is +identical, but the position of the screws are different. + +IPMI iKVM module add-on {#ipmi} +======================= + +Don't use it. It uses proprietary firmware and adds a backdoor (remote +out-of-band management chip, similar to the [Intel Management +Engine](../../faq/#intelme). Fortunately, the firmware is +unsigned (possibly to replace) and physically separate from the +mainboard since it's on the add-on module, which you don't have to +install. + +Flash chips {#flashchips} +=========== + +2MiB flash chips are included by default, on these boards. It's on a +P-DIP 8 slot (SPI chip). The flash chip can be upgraded to higher sizes: +4MiB, 8MiB or 16MiB. With at least 8MiB, you could feasibly fit a +compressed linux+initramfs image (BusyBox+Linux system) into CBFS and +boot that, loading it into memory. + +Libreboot has configs for 2, 4, 8 and 16 MiB flash chip sizes (default +flash chip is 2MiB). + +**DO NOT hot-swap the chip with your bare hands. Use a P-DIP 8 chip +extractor. These can be found online. See +<http://www.coreboot.org/Developer_Manual/Tools#Chip_removal_tools>** + +Native graphics initialization {#graphics} +============================== + +Only text-mode is known to work, but linux(kernel) can initialize the +framebuffer display (if it has KMS - kernel mode setting). + +Current issues {#issues} +============== + +- LRDIMM memory modules are currently incompatible +- SAS (via PIKE 2008 module) requires non-free option ROM (and + SeaBIOS) to boot from it (theoretically possible to replace, but you + can put a kernel in CBFS or on SATA and use that to boot GNU, which + can be on a SAS drive. The linux kernel can use those SAS drives + (via PIKE module) without an option ROM). + +- IPMI iKVM module (optional add-on card) uses proprietary firmware. + Since it's for remote out-of-band management, it's theoretically a + backdoor similar to the Intel Management Engine. Fortunately, unlike + the ME, this firmware is unsigned which means that a free + replacement is theoretically possible. For now, the libreboot + project recommends not installing the module. [This + project](https://github.com/facebook/openbmc) might be interesting + to derive from, for those who want to work on a free replacement. In + practise, out-of-band management isn't very useful anyway (or at + the very least, it's not a major inconvenience to not have it). +- Graphics: only text-mode works. See [\#graphics](#graphics) + +Hardware specifications {#specifications} +----------------------- + +The information here is adapted, from the ASUS website. + +### Processor / system bus + +- 2 CPU sockets (G34 compatible) +- HyperTransport™ Technology 3.0 +- CPUs supported: + - AMD Opteron 6100 series (Fam10h. No IOMMU support. **Not** + recommended - old. View errata datasheet here: + <http://support.amd.com/TechDocs/41322_10h_Rev_Gd.pdf>) + - AMD Opteron 6200 series (Fam15h, with full IOMMU support in + libreboot - **highly recommended - fast, and works well without + microcode updates, including virtualization**) + - AMD Opteron 6300 series (Fam15h, with full IOMMU support in + libreboot. **AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE - virtualization is broken + without microcode updates.** + - NOTE: 6300 series CPUs have buggy microcode built-in, and + libreboot recommends avoiding the updates. The 6200 series CPUs + have more reliable microcode. Look at this errata datasheet: + <http://support.amd.com/TechDocs/48063_15h_Mod_00h-0Fh_Rev_Guide.pdf> + (see Errata 734 - this is what kills the 6300 series) +- 6.4 GT/s per link (triple link) + +### Core logic + +- AMD SR5690 +- AMD SP5100 + +### Memory compatibility (with libreboot) + +- **Total Slots:** 16 (4-channel per CPU, 8 DIMM per CPU), ECC +- **Capacity:** Maximum up to 256GB RDIMM +- **Memory Type that is compatible:** + - DDR3 1600/1333/1066/800 UDIMM\* + - DDR3 1600/1333/1066/800 RDIMM\* +- **Compatible sizes per memory module:** + - 16GB, 8GB, 4GB, 3GB, 2GB, 1GB RDIMM + - 8GB, 4GB, 2GB, 1GB UDIMM + +### Expansion slots + +- **Total slot:** 6 +- **Slot Location 1:** PCI 32bit/33MHz +- **Slot Location 2:** PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X8 Link) +- **Slot Location 3:** PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X16 Link), Auto switch to x8 + link if slot 2 is occupied +- **Slot Location 4:** PCI-E x8 (Gen2 X4 Link) +- **Slot Location 5:** PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X16 Link) +- **Slot Location 6:** PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X16 Link), Auto turn off if + slot 5 is occupied, For 1U FH/FL Card, MIO supported +- **Additional Slot 1:** PIKE slot (for SAS drives. See notes above) +- Follow SSI Location\# + +### Form factor {#form-factor} + +- SSI EEB 3.61 (12"x13") + +### ASUS features + +- Fan Speed Control +- Rack Ready (Rack and Pedestal dual use) + +### Storage + +- **SATA controller:** + - AMD SP5100 + - 6 x SATA2 300MB/s +- **SAS/SATA Controller:** + - ASUS PIKE2008 3Gbps 8-port SAS card included + +### Networking + +- 2 x Intel® 82574L + 1 x Mgmt LAN + +### Graphics + +- Aspeed AST2050 with 8MB VRAM + +### On board I/O + +- 1 x PSU Power Connector (24-pin SSI power connector + 8-pin SSI + 12V + 8-pin SSI 12V power connector) +- 1 x Management Connector , Onboard socket for management card +- 3 x USB pin header , Up to 6 Devices +- 1 x Internal A Type USB Port +- 8 x Fan Header , 4pin (3pin/4pin fan dual support) +- 2 x SMBus +- 1 x Serial Port Header +- 1 x TPM header +- 1 x PS/2 KB/MS port + +### Back I/O ports + +- 1 x External Serial Port +- 2 x External USB Port +- 1 x VGA Port +- 2 x RJ-45 +- 1 x PS/2 KB/Mouse + +### Environment + +- **Operation temperature:** 10C \~ 35C +- **Non operation temperature:** -40C \~ 70C +- **Non operation humidity:** 20% \~ 90% ( Non condensing) + +### Monitoring + +- CPU temperatures +- Fan speed (RPM) + +### Note: + +- \* DDR3 1600 can only be supported with AMD Opteron 6300/6200 series + processor + +Copyright © 2015 Leah Rowe <info@minifree.org>\ +This page is available under the [CC BY SA 4.0](../cc-by-sa-4.0.txt) |