The ASPEED AST2500 is the 6th generation Server Management Processor, specifically designed to provide integrated remote management functions including (Intelligent Platform Management Interface), iKVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse over IP), and comprehensive system telemetry.
| Feature | AST2500 (6th Gen) | AST2600 (7th Gen) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Single-core ARM1176JZ-S @ 800 MHz | Dual-core ARM Cortex-A7 (1.2 GHz) + Cortex M3 core | | Memory Support | DDR3 / DDR4, up to 1GB, 16‑bit bus | Enhanced DDR4, larger capacity, wider bus | | Package | TFBGA-400 (19×19 mm) | Larger package (21×21 mm, +168 pins) | | Security | Hash & Crypto Engine (no TrustZone) | ARM TrustZone + Secure Boot support | | Networking | Dual MACs | Up to 4 GbE MACs | | Target Market | Cost-effective standard servers | High-end AI servers, secure boot compliance | | Power Efficiency | Reference baseline | ~61% more efficient than AST2500 | | Fabrication Process | Mature node | 28 nm (reduced power consumption) |
Compatible with DDR3 and DDR4 SDRAM (16-bit interface).
Features an 800MHz ARM11 core (specifically the ARM1176JZS), offering a significant performance boost over previous generations. aspeed ast2500 datasheet new
: Includes an integrated PCIe 2D graphics engine supporting high resolutions (up to 1920x1200) for remote console redirection. Key Features Remote Management : Provides full KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) over IP
Typically requires a minimum of 32MB to 64MB SPI NOR flash memory. AMI MegaRAC Structure: Proprietary commercial firmware stack.
For standard enterprise configurations, the hardware natively processes Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI 2.0) messaging, Keyboard Controller Style (KCS) architecture, and Serial-over-LAN (SOL) data pipes. Summary Specification Table Specification Details ARM1176JZF-S up to 800 MHz RAM Support DDR3 / DDR3L / DDR4 (Up to 1GB) Display Resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60Hz Host Interfaces PCIe 2.0 x1, eSPI, LPC Network 2x 10/100/1000 Mbps MAC (RGMII/RMII) Package 416-pin LFBGA Security Secure Boot, Cryptographic Hardware Accelerators The ASPEED AST2500 is the 6th generation Server
Hardware-level write-protection capabilities for the external SPI flash containing the primary BMC boot image. 5. Firmware Compatibility: OpenBMC and Legacy IPMI
In modern data centers and server platforms, the is arguably the most ubiquitous component you’ve never heard of. Serving as the dedicated Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) , the AST2500 operates as a system-on-chip (SoC) responsible for out-of-band management, allowing administrators to monitor, debug, and control servers remotely—even when the host system is powered down.
Native PCIe 2D VGA provides local display capability without needing a separate graphics card. 4. Remote Management & Security : Includes an integrated PCIe 2D graphics engine
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Fully compatible with industry-standard AMI MegaRAC SP-X and Avocent firmware platforms.
The AST2500 is a highly integrated System-on-Chip (SoC) designed specifically to handle out-of-band management tasks without consuming host CPU resources. The Processor Core
The AST2500 is a 6th-generation server management processor. It is designed to provide independent, remote access to server hardware, regardless of the operating system state. By acting as a "service processor," it allows for remote power cycling, firmware updates, and hardware monitoring. Core Technical Specifications