Aspeed Ast2500: Datasheet
ASPEED AST2500 is a 6th-generation Advanced PCIe Graphics & Remote Management Processor, commonly used as a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) in server environments. It provides integrated remote monitoring, virtual KVM (keyboard, video, mouse), and 2D graphics capabilities on a single chip. ASPEED Technology Inc. Core Specifications Processor Core : Features an clocked at Memory Support : Supports both DDR3 (up to 800Mbps) and (up to 1600Mbps). : 16-bit data bus width supporting up to of memory, with an (Error Correction Code) option. : Interfaces with SPI flash memory for firmware storage.
Applications
The chip acts as a bridge between various communication protocols. According to technical discussions on , the AST2500 supports: Network Interfaces: Often paired with controllers like the Intel I210AT Realtek RTL8211E via RGRMII/NCSI for dedicated management traffic. LPC/eSPI Bridges: Essential for communicating with the host CPU and BIOS. UART/COM Ports: Providing serial console access for low-level debugging. 4. The Open Source Revolution: OpenBMC and u-bmc Aspeed Ast2500 Datasheet
The Aspeed AST2500 is a single-chip BMC that integrates multiple functions, including a 32-bit ARM Cortex-A9 processor, memory interfaces, and a rich set of peripherals. The chip supports a wide range of interfaces, including USB, UART, I2C, SPI, and PCIe, making it an ideal solution for managing complex server systems. The AST2500 is designed to operate in a variety of environments, with a temperature range of -40°C to 85°C and a voltage range of 3.3V to 5V. ASPEED AST2500 is a 6th-generation Advanced PCIe Graphics
- Firmware differences: Features like Redfish support or iKVM performance vary by firmware vendor.
- Thermal layout: BMC thermal dissipation is small but still needs correct layout and decoupling per datasheet.
- PHY and LAN wiring: Ethernet performance and OOB management depend on proper external PHY and MDI wiring; the datasheet’s reference designs matter.
- Boot sequencing: Incorrect power sequencing or DDR routing will prevent CPU boot — follow datasheet and reference board carefully.