--- title: ASUS KGPE-D16 server/workstation board x-unreviewed: true ... Introduction ============ 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.* *For working configurations see .* 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 . 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.html#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 * This guide shows how to flash the chip:\ [25xx NOR flashing guide](../install/spi.html) 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). - SeaBIOS lacked serial console support out-of-the-box in release 20160907 and as such a workaround using SGABIOS is necessary. You can find instructions on how to do this on the [Notabug issue tracker](http://web.archive.org/web/20210416011941/https://notabug.org/libreboot/libreboot/issues/736) - 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 (Tested max 128GB) - *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