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---
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)
|
