Discover how recent mainline Linux kernel DeviceTree patches enable the ASUS Kommando IPMI/BMC expansion card to run open-source firmware, reviving this rare PCIe remote management hardware for servers and workstations. Explore its AST2600 SoC, functionality, and niche market status.
A Niche Hardware Component Gets a Software Resurrection
In the specialized realm of server management and high-performance computing, remote management capabilities are non-negotiable for professional deployments.
Integrated Baseboard Management Controllers (iBMCs) are standard in server-grade motherboards, but what options exist for high-end consumer or workstation platforms?
This was the problem ASUS aimed to solve with its innovative, if ultimately elusive, IPMI Expansion Card. Recent developments in the open-source community, however, are breathing new life into this hardware.
A pivotal DeviceTree (DT) patch series has been merged, allowing the mainline Linux kernel to natively boot on the card's ASpeed AST2600 system-on-chip (SoC).
This breakthrough not only extends the card's utility but also opens a fascinating chapter for hardware enthusiasts and professionals seeking cost-effective remote management solutions. Could this software development reverse the commercial fate of this hard-to-find PCIe card?
Product Deep Dive: The ASUS Kommando IPMI Expansion Card
Launched in late 2023 with the marketing promise of "turning your high-end gaming PC into a cost-effective workstation for business," the ASUS IPMI Expansion Card (model: 90MC0AH0-MVUBY0) represented a unique convergence of consumer and enterprise hardware.
Architecturally, it is a half-height PCI Express 3.0 x1 expansion card centered on the ASpeed AST2600 SoC, a chip ubiquitous in server BMCs.
The card's core value proposition was clear: provide full Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) functionality—including remote power control, KVM-over-IP, and system monitoring—to any standard desktop or workstation possessing a PCIe slot. This bypassed the need for expensive, proprietary server motherboards for small-scale labs, developers, or small businesses.
However, its market journey has been brief. As of early 2026, the card is notoriously difficult to source from major retailers like Amazon, often listed as out-of-stock.
It occasionally surfaces through smaller vendors or secondary markets at a premium price point between $160 and $190, suggesting limited production runs and muted commercial success.
ASUS has not announced a successor, leaving its software stack in a state of potential obsolescence.
Key Hardware Specifications:
SoC: ASpeed AST2600 ARM-based Management Controller
Interface: PCIe 3.0 x1 (Half-Height Form Factor)
Primary Function: External BMC/IPMI for non-server hosts
Vendor Features: Fan headers, host BIOS flashing, PSU monitoring via SMBUS, proprietary ASUS motherboard interconnect.
The Open-Source Breakthrough: Mainline Linux Kernel Support
The narrative shifted significantly with the work of open-source developer Anirudh Srinivasan. In early 2026, Srinivasan submitted a DeviceTree patch series to the Linux kernel mailing list, formally adding support for the "Asus Kommando" IPMI Card.
A subsequent v2 series refined the implementation, marking a critical step towards mainline integration.
What is a DeviceTree Patch? In embedded systems like the AST2600, the Device Tree is a data structure that describes the hardware components to the operating system kernel. These patches essentially "teach" the mainline Linux kernel how to initialize and communicate with the specific hardware on the ASUS card.
This development is monumental for several reasons:
Independence from Vendor Firmware: It allows the card to run community-driven, open-source firmware like OpenBMC, reducing reliance on potentially stale ASUS-provided software.
Enhanced Security and Transparency: Open-source firmware can be audited and updated more rapidly to address security vulnerabilities.
Extended Hardware Lifespan: It future-proofs the hardware against vendor abandonment, a common risk with niche products.
Technical Capabilities and Current Support Status
According to the patch submission notes, the initial support enables robust core functionality. This demonstrates the card's significant potential when liberated by open-source software.
Currently Supported Features (via Mainline Kernel & OpenBMC):
UART Console: Essential for low-level debugging and management.
SPI Flash Boot: The primary boot method from the card's onboard flash memory.
KVM Functionality: A crucial remote management feature comprising:
USB gadget emulation for host keyboard/mouse input.
Ability to read the host's VGA framebuffer for remote video display.
GPIO Control: Enables management of card LEDs and host power control functions.
Pending and Vendor-Specific Features:
The patch author notes that network interface controller (NIC) support requires additional patches, meaning full IPMI-over-LAN is not yet implemented in this initial mainline effort. Furthermore, several features present in the original ASUS firmware remain unsupported in the open-source driver:
Advanced fan speed control via the card's fan headers.
Host BIOS flashing via the SPI interface.
Power supply unit (PSU) monitoring via the SMBUS connector.
Proprietary SMBUS communication with compatible ASUS motherboards.
Exposure of an IPMI device directly to the host over PCIe.
This phased approach is standard in open-source hardware enablement, focusing first on core operational capabilities before expanding to peripheral features.
Market Analysis: Why Did This Innovative Card Struggle?
The apparent commercial scarcity of the ASUS Kommando card raises a compelling question for the server hardware and high-end workstation market. Its struggle likely stems from a convergence of factors:
Niche Within a Niche: The target audience—users needing enterprise-grade remote management on a consumer/prosumer platform—is inherently small.
Platform Integration Hurdles: While the PCIe interface is universal, unlocking all features (like proprietary SMBUS) required specific ASUS motherboards, limiting its plug-and-play appeal.
Competitive Landscape: The rise of software-based out-of-band management solutions and mature alternatives from pure-play server component manufacturers may have overshadowed this crossover product.
Channel Strategy: The product may not have been effectively marketed or distributed through traditional server and IT procurement channels.
Future Implications and Community Potential
The mainline kernel support fundamentally alters the card's value proposition. It transitions from a proprietary ASUS accessory to a community-supported, open hardware platform for BMC development.
This opens several intriguing possibilities:
A Development & Learning Platform: The card becomes an affordable, accessible entry point for developers and students to experiment with BMC firmware and low-level system management.
Custom Workstation Solutions: Enthusiasts and professionals can build highly customized, remotely managed workstations or compact servers using standard desktop components.
Legacy System Revival: Adds modern remote management capabilities to older, capable systems that lack integrated BMCs.
The trajectory now depends on the open-source community. Further driver development, comprehensive OpenBMC porting, and the creation of installation guides will determine its practical utility.
This pattern mirrors the revival of many niche hardware pieces, where community effort sustains utility long after vendor support wanes.
Conclusion and Next Steps for Interested Users
The journey of the ASUS Kommando IPMI Expansion Card is a testament to the power of open-source software to redefine hardware.
While its commercial availability is limited, its technical potential has been expanded significantly. For those in possession of the card or able to source it, the path forward involves engaging with the OpenBMC project and the relevant Linux kernel mailing lists to test, document, and contribute to its support.
For users evaluating remote management solutions, this development highlights an important consideration: the long-term viability of hardware is increasingly tied to its openness and community support, not just its initial vendor pedigree.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is an IPMI Expansion Card, and who is it for?
A: An IPMI Expansion Card adds remote server management capabilities (power cycling, console access, monitoring) to a computer that lacks a built-in Baseboard Management Controller (BMC). It's ideal for professionals, homelab enthusiasts, and developers using high-end desktop hardware as a workstation or server who require enterprise-style "out-of-band" management.Q2: Is the ASUS Kommando card still being sold by ASUS?
A: As of early 2026, the card appears to be end-of-life with no direct successor. It is not available through major retailers like Amazon and is only sporadically found through smaller or secondary market vendors, often at a price premium.Q3: What can the card do with the new mainline Linux kernel support?
A: With the approved DeviceTree patches, the card can boot mainline Linux/OpenBMC, supporting core functions: UART console, booting from SPI, KVM-over-IP (video capture and USB input), and basic GPIO control for power and LEDs. Full IPMI-over-LAN networking support is under development.
Q4: Why is open-source support important for a hardware component like this?
A: Open-source support ensures long-term viability, security updates, and feature enhancements independent of the original vendor's product lifecycle. It prevents the hardware from becoming obsolete due to abandoned proprietary firmware.
Q5: Where can I find the OpenBMC build for this card?
A: The patch author references a modified OpenBMC build. Interested users should monitor the relevant Linux kernel mailing list archives (look for patches by Anirudh Srinivasan) and the OpenBMC project repositories for branches or documentation related to the "ASUS Kommando" or "AST2600 PCIe card."
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