Aspeed Ast2500 Datasheet |link| (2024)

operates as a System-on-Chip (SoC) that allows administrators to manage servers independently of the host operating system's state. : Features an ARM11 CPU running at 800 MHz . Memory Support : DDR3 : Supports speeds up to 800 Mbps. DDR4 : Supports speeds up to 1600 Mbps .

: PCIe 1.1 x1 host interface for high-speed communication with the central CPU.

Requiring high-reliability, low-power remote monitoring. Summary of the AST2500 Advantages

One of the primary functions of the AST2500 is providing standard VGA output for local crash carts and compressing video streams for remote administrators.

The AST2500 features flexible and high-bandwidth memory interfaces to ensure smooth video buffering and system logging. System RAM Interface DDR3 and DDR4 SDRAM (16-bit interface). Maximum Capacity: Up to 1 GB addressing space. Aspeed Ast2500 Datasheet

: Hardware Root of Trust utilizing cryptographic signatures to verify firmware validity.

According to Section 7.2 of the datasheet, 3.3V must ramp last.

"If Secure Boot is enabled and the flash signature fails, the AST2500 will halt boot and enter a recovery mode." This is a critical design consideration for field updates.

: Allows the BMC to share a physical network port with the host server’s Network Interface Card (NIC). Serial and Storage Control DDR4 : Supports speeds up to 1600 Mbps

Hardware root-of-trust capabilities to ensure that only digitally signed, authorized firmware can execute on the BMC. 7. Package and Electrical Specifications Package Type: TFBGA (Thin Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array). Pin Count: 404-pin TFBGA package. Ball Pitch: 0.8 mm. Dimensions: 19 mm x 19 mm.

| MODE[2:0] | Boot Device | Interface | |-----------|------------------|-----------| | 000 | SPI NOR Flash | SPI0 | | 001 | SPI NAND Flash | SPI0 | | 010 | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC | | 011 | SD Card 3.0 | SDIO | | 100 | LPC/FWH ROM | LPC | | 101–111 | Reserved / Test | - |

The datasheet reads like an inventory of embedded interfaces:

Hardware redirection engines for USB keyboard, mouse, and storage devices (CD-ROM, Floppy, Hard Drives) allowing remote OS installation. 4. Host and Peripheral Connectivity Summary of the AST2500 Advantages One of the

[Host Server] <--PCIe/LPC--> [AST2500] <--I2C--> [Temp sensor, PSU] <--GPIO--> [Fan control, Power button] <--Ethernet--> [Remote admin LAN] <--VGA--> [Front/rear VGA port]

: Supports up to 1 GB of SDRAM with a 16-bit data bus.

In conclusion, the Aspeed AST2500 is a highly integrated BMC chip that offers a wide range of features and capabilities for advanced server management. Its support for remote management, security, performance monitoring, and peripherals makes it an attractive solution for data centers, cloud computing environments, and enterprise servers. As server infrastructure continues to evolve, the Aspeed AST2500 is well-positioned to play a key role in enabling efficient, secure, and remote management of servers. By leveraging the features and capabilities of the AST2500, administrators can optimize server performance, reduce downtime, and improve overall data center efficiency.