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diff --git a/content/post/libre-pc-hw-selection.en.blogc b/content/post/libre-pc-hw-selection.en.blogc new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3f59d11 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/post/libre-pc-hw-selection.en.blogc @@ -0,0 +1,107 @@ +TITLE: PC on Libre/Free Software: hardware selection, RockPro64 +DATE: 2021-11-11 +TAGS: aarch64 rockpro64 sbc hardware hw +------------------------- +I've been using a [libreboot](https://libreboot.org)-ed ThinkPad T500, but USB +system started to show its age - only one port works, and it's a random one on +each boot. + +Started to look for a replacement with these requirements: + +* Supported by Libre/Free Software - [linux-libre] + (https://www.fsfla.org/ikiwiki/selibre/linux-libre), upstream U-boot without + vendor blobs +* Ability to install OS to SATA/NVMe drive. SD/eMMC/USB are too + slow/unreliable +* Sharing Internet connection via twisted pair and WiFi +* Working Bluetooth +* Upstream software: linux-libre, U-boot. I don't want to install forks of + outdated versions. + +Main candidates: + +* [Blackbird](https://www.raptorcs.com/content/BK1B02/intro.html), POWER9 + CPU. Has a BMC, all firmware sources are available. Firmware for built-in + NIC is in development, described [here] + (https://wiki.raptorcs.com/wiki/BCM5719). Drawbacks are price and the fact + that you can't order it (logistical problems due to covid, [according to + Talospace] + (https://www.talospace.com/2021/02/blackbird-supply-chain-likely-to-improve.html)) +* [MNT Reform](https://mntre.com/reform). ARM64 laptop, no vendor blobs except + 16KiB one to initialize RAM. Shipping next year +* [RockPro64](https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/ROCKPro64) - RK3399 SBC, 4G RAM, + good-enough CPU (2xA72 + 4xA53), PCIe x4, 4xUSB, 1xRJ-45 (1 Gbit/s). [Gentoo + approves](https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/PINE64_ROCKPro64) +* [Gigabyte GA-G41M-ES2L] + (https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-G41M-ES2L-rev-10) for + [libreboot treatment] + (https://libreboot.org/docs/hardware/ga-g41m-es2l.html) +* [HoneyComb LX2](https://developer.solid-run.com/knowledge-base/honeycomb-lx2k) + aarch64, 16 A72 cores, a full-fledged motherboard. More expensive than + RockPro64 (it has much more functionality). I couldn't find if it requires + vendor blobs, and it's not in U-boot repo (by name) + +I chose RockPro64. Pine64 sells a SATA card for it but it uses an ASM chip. +Judging by forum threads and my experience ASM chips are not reliable - my +mPCIe card on ASM1061 works with HDD but not SSD for some reason. Found [this +card](https://www.pc-adapter.net/product/874.html) - 4 ports, [Marvell +88SE9215] +(https://www.marvell.com/products/system-solutions/sata-controllers/pcie-2-sata-controllers.html) +chip, supported by Linux. Bluetooth and WiFi adapters that do not require +vendor blobs were found on [H-node](https://h-node.org) (an excellent +resource). + +Resulting BOM: + +* SATA controller PCE4SAT-M02 (PCIe) +* Bluetooth controller Asus BT400 (USB) +* WiFi D-Link DWA-126 (USB) - Access Point mode +* Ethernet D-Link Dub-E100 100Mbit/s (USB) - for ISP connection +* 2 USB hubs +* Chipset cooler Zalman ZM-NB32J - fits, here is an [old review] + (https://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/zalmanzmnb32j) +* Aluminum box 155x85x120 mm +* Regular PC PSU (I already had one) + +DIY power connector Molex -> DC barrel: + + + +Bolted a small aluminum plate to SATA card to hold the cables: + + + + +*** + + + +*** + +More photos: + + + +*** + + + +*** + + + +*** + + + +*** + + + +*** + + + +*** + +Next up: installing U-boot and Arch Linux ARM. |