When you obtain the datasheet, focus on these critical sections:
The ASPEED AST2500 is a 6th-generation Server Management Controller SoC designed for Baseboard Management Controllers (BMC). It is widely utilized in enterprise servers, storage systems, and telecom equipment. It serves as the "brain" of a server's management subsystem, operating independently of the main host CPU to provide remote monitoring and control capabilities.
Here is a curated table of the most critical, updated specs from the latest AST2500-DS-1.55.pdf:
| Parameter | Specification (New Revision) | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Core Processor | ARM926EJ-S, 32-bit RISC | 384KB L2 Cache | | Max Frequency | 400 MHz (Standard) / 800 MHz (Overdrive mode) | Overdrive requires enhanced cooling | | Operating Voltage | 3.3V I/O, 0.9V Core, 1.8V DDR4 | New: Absolute max input on ADC: 1.8V | | Integrated Video | 2D Graphics Engine, 1920x1200@60Hz | 256MB DDR4 frame buffer | | Host Interfaces | PCIe Gen2 (x1, dual root), eSPI, LPC 1.0 | New: eSPI is preferred for Z690/C621 chipsets | | Peripheral IF | 2x GbE MAC, 6x UART, 2x SPI, 1x SD/SDIO, 8x PWM | New: SPI clock speed maxed at 100MHz | | Temperature Range | 0°C to 70°C (Commercial) or -40°C to 105°C (Industrial) | Check suffix: -IR for industrial | | Package | 484-pin LFBGA, 19x19mm | 0.8mm pitch |
If you want, I can:
(Note: I don't fetch vendor PDFs automatically. If you want exact register addresses or tables, upload the AST2500 datasheet or tell me to search for it and I'll fetch current references.)
Related search terms provided.
ASPEED AST2500 is a 6th-generation Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) designed for server management, offering advanced remote monitoring and control capabilities
. While its successor, the AST2600, is now widely available, the AST2500 remains a cornerstone in many enterprise and data center environments. Overview and Architecture
The AST2500 is a highly integrated System-on-Chip (SoC) that allows administrators to manage servers "out-of-band." This means you can monitor hardware, install operating systems, and power cycle a machine even if the main CPU is powered off or the OS has crashed. Processor Core : It features an ARM1176EJ-S processor running at speeds up to 800MHz. Memory Support : Supports DDR3 and DDR4 SDRAM
, providing higher bandwidth and lower power consumption compared to previous generations. Graphics Engine
: 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
functionality, allowing a remote user to interact with the server as if they were physically present. : Includes a hardware-based root of trust and supports Secure Boot aspeed ast2500 datasheet new
, ensuring that only authorized firmware can run on the BMC. Interfaces : For high-speed communication with the host CPU. : Traditional bus interfaces for legacy hardware support. Gigabit Ethernet : Dedicated MACs for network connectivity. Virtual Media
: Allows remote mounting of ISO images or USB drives to simplify OS deployment and recovery. Technical Specifications Specification ARM11 @ 800MHz DDR3/DDR4 (up to 16-bit interface) 2D Graphics Engine, 1920x1200 @ 60Hz PCIe 2.0 x1 19mm x 19mm TFBGA 40nm technology Applications The AST2500 is primarily found in: Enterprise Servers : Providing IPMI 2.0 compliant management. Cloud Data Centers : Enabling large-scale automated provisioning. Industrial PCs : For remote maintenance in hard-to-reach locations. Storage Systems
: Monitoring environmental factors like temperature and fan speed. Datasheet Availability
Full technical datasheets for ASPEED chips are typically protected under Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA). However, public Product Briefs Design Guides are available through the ASPEED Technology website . Developers often refer to the OpenBMC Project
for open-source firmware implementation details related to this hardware. with the newer
to see if an upgrade is necessary for your specific use case? When you obtain the datasheet, focus on these
Look at:
You might wonder: If the AST2600 exists, why are people searching for a "new" AST2500 datasheet?
| Feature | AST2500 (New Datasheet) | AST2600 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | CPU | ARM926 (Single core) | Dual Core Cortex-A7 | | Power Consumption | ~4W | ~8W | | PCIe | Gen2 | Gen3 | | Video | 2D only | 3D acceleration | | Cost (1000 units) | ~$12 USD | ~$28 USD | | Ideal Use | Storage JBOD, Routers, Legacy servers | Cloud-scale AI servers |
The verdict: The "new" AST2500 datasheet is vital because the chip is in a late-lifecycle boom. As supply chains stabilize, manufacturers are using the AST2500 for lower-cost BMCs in edge devices and network switches where an AST2600 is overkill. The new datasheet fixes earlier errata, making the chip more reliable today than it was at launch.
Alongside the AST2500 datasheet, get:
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