ASUS KGPE-D16 server/workstation board {#pagetop} ====================================== 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. [Back to previous index](./). 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 . 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](http://libreboot.org/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 ** 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: ) - 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: (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>\ Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license or any later version published by Creative Commons; A copy of the license can be found at [../cc-by-sa-4.0.txt](../cc-by-sa-4.0.txt) Updated versions of the license (when available) can be found at UNLESS OTHERWISE SEPARATELY UNDERTAKEN BY THE LICENSOR, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, THE LICENSOR OFFERS THE LICENSED MATERIAL AS-IS AND AS-AVAILABLE, AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND CONCERNING THE LICENSED MATERIAL, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHER. 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