path: root/docs/src/hcl/kgpe-d16.texi

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@titlepage
@title ASUS KGPE-D16 server/workstation board
@end titlepage

@node Top
@top ASUS KGPE-D16 server/workstation board

@menu
* ASUS KGPE-D16 server/workstation board::
* CPU compatibility::
* Board status compatibility::
* Form factor::
* IPMI iKVM module add-on::
* Flash chips::
* Native graphics initialization::
* Current issues::
@end menu

@node ASUS KGPE-D16 server/workstation board
@chapter ASUS KGPE-D16 server/workstation board
@anchor{#asus-kgpe-d16-serverworkstation-board}
This is a server board using AMD hardware (Fam10h @strong{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 @uref{https://raptorengineeringinc.com/,Raptor Engineering Inc.} and, working with Timothy (and sponsoring the work) merged into libreboot.

@strong{NOTE: This board is unsupported in libreboot 20150518. To use it in libreboot, for now, you must build for it from source using the libreboot git repository.}

@strong{Memory initialization is still problematic, for some modules. We recommend avoiding Kingston modules..}

Flashing instructions can be found at @uref{../install/index.html#flashrom,../install/index.html#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.

@uref{index.html,Back to previous index}.

@node CPU compatibility
@chapter CPU compatibility
@anchor{#cpu-compatibility}

@strong{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.

@uref{index.html,Back to previous index}.

@node Board status compatibility
@chapter Board status (compatibility)
@anchor{#board-status-compatibility}
See @uref{https://raptorengineeringinc.com/coreboot/kgpe-d16-status.php,https://raptorengineeringinc.com/coreboot/kgpe-d16-status.php}.

@node Form factor
@chapter Form factor
@anchor{#form-factor}
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.

@node IPMI iKVM module add-on
@chapter IPMI iKVM module add-on
@anchor{#ipmi-ikvm-module-add-on}
Don't use it. It uses proprietary firmware and adds a backdoor (remote out-of-band management chip, similar to the @uref{http://libreboot.org/faq/#intelme,Intel Management Engine}. 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.

@node Flash chips
@chapter Flash chips
@anchor{#flash-chips}
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).

@strong{DO NOT hot-swap the chip with your bare hands. Use a P-DIP 8 chip extractor. These can be found online. See @uref{http://www.coreboot.org/Developer_Manual/Tools#Chip_removal_tools,http://www.coreboot.org/Developer_Manual/Tools#Chip_removal_tools}}

@node Native graphics initialization
@chapter Native graphics initialization
@anchor{#native-graphics-initialization}
Only text-mode is known to work, but linux(kernel) can initialize the framebuffer display (if it has KMS - kernel mode setting).

@node Current issues
@chapter Current issues
@anchor{#current-issues}
@itemize
@item
LRDIMM memory modules are currently incompatible
@item
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).
@item
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. @uref{https://github.com/facebook/openbmc,This project} 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).
@item
Graphics: only text-mode works. See @ref{#graphics,#graphics}
@end itemize

@menu
* Hardware specifications::
@end menu

@node Hardware specifications
@section Hardware specifications
@anchor{#hardware-specifications}
The information here is adapted, from the ASUS website.
@menu
* Processor / system bus::
* Core logic::
* Memory compatibility with libreboot::
* Expansion slots::
* Form factor::
* ASUS features::
* Storage::
* Networking::
* Graphics::
* On board I/O::
* Back I/O ports::
* Environment::
* Monitoring::
* Note::
@end menu

@node Processor / system bus
@subsection Processor / system bus
@anchor{#processor-system-bus}
@itemize
@item
2 CPU sockets (G34 compatible)
@item
HyperTransport™ Technology 3.0
@item
CPUs supported:
@itemize
@item
AMD Opteron 6100 series (Fam10h. No IOMMU support. @strong{Not} recommended - old. View errata datasheet here: @uref{http://support.amd.com/TechDocs/41322_10h_Rev_Gd.pdf,http://support.amd.com/TechDocs/41322_10h_Rev_Gd.pdf})
@item
AMD Opteron 6200 series (bulldozer cores) (Fam15h, with full IOMMU support in libreboot. @strong{highly recommended - fast, and works well without microcode updates, including virtualization})
@item
AMD Opteron 6300 series (piledriver cores) (Fam15h, with full IOMMU support in libreboot. @strong{AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE - virtualization is broken without microcode updates}
@item
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: @uref{http://support.amd.com/TechDocs/48063_15h_Mod_00h-0Fh_Rev_Guide.pdf,http://support.amd.com/TechDocs/48063_15h_Mod_00h-0Fh_Rev_Guide.pdf}
(see Errata 734 - this is what kills the 6300 series)
@end itemize

@item
6.4 GT/s per link (triple link)
@end itemize

@node Core logic
@subsection Core logic
@anchor{#core-logic}
@itemize
@item
AMD SR5690
@item
AMD SP5100
@end itemize

@node Memory compatibility with libreboot
@subsection Memory compatibility (with libreboot)
@anchor{#memory-compatibility-with-libreboot}
@itemize
@item
@strong{Total Slots:} 16 (4-channel per CPU, 8 DIMM per CPU), ECC
@item
@strong{Capacity:} Maximum up to 256GB RDIMM
@item
@strong{Memory Type that is compatible:}
@itemize
@item
DDR3 1600/1333/1066/800 UDIMM*
@item
DDR3 1600/1333/1066/800 RDIMM*
@end itemize

@item
@strong{Compatible sizes per memory module:}
@itemize
@item
16GB, 8GB, 4GB, 3GB, 2GB, 1GB RDIMM
@item
8GB, 4GB, 2GB, 1GB UDIMM
@end itemize

@end itemize

@node Expansion slots
@subsection Expansion slots
@anchor{#expansion-slots}
@itemize
@item
@strong{Total slot:} 6
@item
@strong{Slot Location 1:} PCI 32bit/33MHz
@item
@strong{Slot Location 2:} PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X8 Link)
@item
@strong{Slot Location 3:} PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X16 Link), Auto switch to x8 link if slot 2 is occupied
@item
@strong{Slot Location 4:} PCI-E x8 (Gen2 X4 Link)
@item
@strong{Slot Location 5:} PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X16 Link)
@item
@strong{Slot Location 6:} PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X16 Link), Auto turn off if slot 5 is occupied, For 1U FH/FL Card, MIO supported
@item
@strong{Additional Slot 1:} PIKE slot (for SAS drives. See notes above)
@item
Follow SSI Location#
@end itemize

@node Form factor
@subsection Form factor
@anchor{#form-factor-1}
@itemize
@item
SSI EEB 3.61 (12"x13")
@end itemize

@node ASUS features
@subsection ASUS features
@anchor{#asus-features}
@itemize
@item
Fan Speed Control
@item
Rack Ready (Rack and Pedestal dual use)
@end itemize

@node Storage
@subsection Storage
@anchor{#storage}
@itemize
@item
@strong{SATA controller:}
@itemize
@item
AMD SP5100
@item
6 x SATA2 300MB/s
@end itemize

@item
@strong{SAS/SATA Controller:}
@itemize
@item
ASUS PIKE2008 3Gbps 8-port SAS card included
@end itemize

@end itemize

@node Networking
@subsection Networking
@anchor{#networking}
@itemize
@item
2 x Intel® 82574L + 1 x Mgmt LAN
@end itemize

@node Graphics
@subsection Graphics
@anchor{#graphics}
@itemize
@item
Aspeed AST2050 with 8MB VRAM
@end itemize

@node On board I/O
@subsection On board I/O
@anchor{#on-board-io}
@itemize
@item
1 x PSU Power Connector (24-pin SSI power connector + 8-pin SSI 12V + 8-pin SSI 12V power connector)
@item
1 x Management Connector , Onboard socket for management card
@item
3 x USB pin header , Up to 6 Devices
@item
1 x Internal A Type USB Port
@item
8 x Fan Header , 4pin (3pin/4pin fan dual support)
@item
2 x SMBus
@item
1 x Serial Port Header
@item
1 x TPM header
@item
1 x PS/2 KB/MS port
@end itemize

@node Back I/O ports
@subsection Back I/O ports
@anchor{#back-io-ports}
@itemize
@item
1 x External Serial Port
@item
2 x External USB Port
@item
1 x VGA Port
@item
2 x RJ-45
@item
1 x PS/2 KB/Mouse
@end itemize

@node Environment
@subsection Environment
@anchor{#environment}
@itemize
@item
@strong{Operation temperature:} 10C ~ 35C
@item
@strong{Non operation temperature:} -40C ~ 70C
@item
@strong{Non operation humidity:} 20% ~ 90% ( Non condensing)
@end itemize

@node Monitoring
@subsection Monitoring
@anchor{#monitoring}
@itemize
@item
CPU temperatures
@item
Fan speed (RPM)
@end itemize

@node Note
@subsection Note:
@anchor{#note}
@itemize
@item
* DDR3 1600 can only be supported with AMD Opteron 6300/6200 series processor
@end itemize

Copyright © 2015 Francis Rowe <info@@gluglug.org.uk>@* Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license can be found at @uref{../resources/licenses/gfdl-1.3.txt,gfdl-1.3.txt}

Updated versions of the license (when available) can be found at @uref{https://www.gnu.org/licenses/licenses.html,https://www.gnu.org/licenses/licenses.html}

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@bye