Coreboot (and gNewSense) on VIA EPIA-P820?

[Pen-Yuan Hsing]

Hello,

I have been referred here from the gNewSense list, with a question about 
Coreboot compatibility with VIA motherboards and chipsets.

I am looking to set up a PIM server with Citadel or SOGo as the 
groupware server. On the hardware side, I am looking at the VIA ARTiGO 
A1100 
(http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/embedded/artigo/a1100/index.jsp), 
with the following specifications:

Default BIOS: AMI BIOS
Mainboard: EPIA-P820
Processor: 1.2 GHz VIA Nano (64-bit)
Chipset: VIA VX855 Unified Digital Media IGP chipset
Memory: 2 GB 200-pin DDR2 800 mHz
Graphics: VIA Chrome9 3D/2D AGP Integrated Graphics
LAN: VIA VT6122 10/100/1000
Audio: VIA VT1708S 8 channel HD audio
Wireless: VIA 802.11 b/g (not sure what model number)
HDD: Transcend 32GB SSD or OWC Mercury 40GB Extreme Pro SSD

Here's what I am wondering:

Does Coreboot work on this system's motherboard/chipset? I couldn't find 
this exact model on the Coreboot wiki, but there are similar looking 
EPIA boards in the compatibility list.

IF the hardware is not fully free, is there a viable alternative of a 
similar, tiny form factor? Perhaps something similar to the Lemote 
Yeeloong but not a netbook? If the Yeeloong is the only way to go, 
please let me know how I should set it up.

Please let me know either way, and if there is an alternative please 
show me where to find it?

I have asked this question on multiple forums and received NO replies 
for more than a week.....

Thanks!

[Peter Stuge]

Pen-Yuan Hsing wrote:
> On the hardware side, I am looking at the VIA ARTiGO A1100
> (http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/embedded/artigo/a1100/index.jsp),
> with the following specifications:

..
> Processor: 1.2 GHz VIA Nano (64-bit)
> Chipset: VIA VX855 Unified Digital Media IGP chipset

..
> Does Coreboot work on this system's motherboard/chipset?

There is code for the chipset but it has not yet been included in
coreboot trunk. It requires further development.
> I couldn't find this exact model on the Coreboot wiki, but there
> are similar looking EPIA boards in the compatibility list.

Similar unforutnately isn't enough for firmware.
> if there is an alternative please show me where to find it?

You said nothing about your technical requirements for this computer.
If you are in a hurry maybe you can find an AMD based system which is
supported by coreboot.

//Peter

[Pen-Yuan Hsing]

Hello,

I plan for this to be a lightweight Citadel OR SOGo server for my 
personal PIM information. So I will basically be the only client.

The important thing is that I want the physical server to be as small as 
possible, that is why I found the VIA ARTiGO A1100, does AMD offer 
anything similar to that tiny form factor?

Thanks.

On 2010/09/22 00:59, Peter Stuge wrote:
> Pen-Yuan Hsing wrote:
> > On the hardware side, I am looking at the VIA ARTiGO A1100
> > (http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/embedded/artigo/a1100/index.jsp),
> > with the following specifications:
>
> ..
> > Processor: 1.2 GHz VIA Nano (64-bit)
> > Chipset: VIA VX855 Unified Digital Media IGP chipset
>
> ..
> > Does Coreboot work on this system's motherboard/chipset?
>
> There is code for the chipset but it has not yet been included in
> coreboot trunk. It requires further development.
> > I couldn't find this exact model on the Coreboot wiki, but there
> > are similar looking EPIA boards in the compatibility list.
>
> Similar unforutnately isn't enough for firmware.
> > if there is an alternative please show me where to find it?
>
> You said nothing about your technical requirements for this computer.
> If you are in a hurry maybe you can find an AMD based system which is
> supported by coreboot.
>
> //Peter

[Pen-Yuan Hsing]

Hello again,

I've found the eMachines ER1402-05 "mini-e" Desktop. Its got the AMD 
Athlon II Neo K125, with the Nvidia nForce 9200 chipset 
(http://www.emachines.com/products/products.html?prod=ER1402-05).

While I can't find specific reference to these specs on the Coreboot 
website, does anyone know if Coreboot and Free drivers exist for this 
platform?

Thanks!

On 2010/09/22 10:18, Pen-Yuan Hsing wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I plan for this to be a lightweight Citadel OR SOGo server for my
> personal PIM information. So I will basically be the only client.
>
> The important thing is that I want the physical server to be as small as
> possible, that is why I found the VIA ARTiGO A1100, does AMD offer
> anything similar to that tiny form factor?
>
> Thanks.
>
> On 2010/09/22 00:59, Peter Stuge wrote:
> > Pen-Yuan Hsing wrote:
> > > On the hardware side, I am looking at the VIA ARTiGO A1100
> > > (http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/embedded/artigo/a1100/index.jsp),
> > > with the following specifications:
> >
> > ..
> > > Processor: 1.2 GHz VIA Nano (64-bit)
> > > Chipset: VIA VX855 Unified Digital Media IGP chipset
> >
> > ..
> > > Does Coreboot work on this system's motherboard/chipset?
> >
> > There is code for the chipset but it has not yet been included in
> > coreboot trunk. It requires further development.
> > > I couldn't find this exact model on the Coreboot wiki, but there
> > > are similar looking EPIA boards in the compatibility list.
> >
> > Similar unforutnately isn't enough for firmware.
> > > if there is an alternative please show me where to find it?
> >
> > You said nothing about your technical requirements for this computer.
> > If you are in a hurry maybe you can find an AMD based system which is
> > supported by coreboot.
> >
> > //Peter

[Peter Stuge]

Pen-Yuan Hsing wrote:
> Nvidia nForce 9200 chipset
>
> While I can't find specific reference to these specs on the
> Coreboot website, does anyone know if Coreboot and Free drivers
> exist for this platform?

NVIDIA chipsets are usually never supported by coreboot, because
NVIDIA will not release documentation for them. Some support for
NVIDIA chipsets exist, because one coreboot contributor had access
to documentation while working for a former employer.

Is a PC Engines ALIX board powerful enough for your application?

http://pcengines.ch/alix.htm

If not, then maybe one of the recently added mainboards based on the
AMD 780 chipset?

//Peter

[Pen-Yuan Hsing]

Ahhh, it looks very close to what I am looking for! I will definitely 
take a closer look and start from there. BTW, is there a specific board 
(or complete system) with AMD 780 that you would recommend?

Thank you so much for the tip!

PYHsing

On 2010/09/22 16:41, Peter Stuge wrote:
> Pen-Yuan Hsing wrote:
> > Nvidia nForce 9200 chipset
> >
> > While I can't find specific reference to these specs on the
> > Coreboot website, does anyone know if Coreboot and Free drivers
> > exist for this platform?
>
> NVIDIA chipsets are usually never supported by coreboot, because
> NVIDIA will not release documentation for them. Some support for
> NVIDIA chipsets exist, because one coreboot contributor had access
> to documentation while working for a former employer.
>
> Is a PC Engines ALIX board powerful enough for your application?
>
> http://pcengines.ch/alix.htm
>
> If not, then maybe one of the recently added mainboards based on the
> AMD 780 chipset?
>
> //Peter