ASRock Rack
ASRock Rack PAUL Low-profile PCIe IPMI Card
Low-profile PCIe add-in card with ASPEED AST2500 BMC providing IPMI 2.0 remote management, dedicated Gigabit LAN, and VGA output up to 1920x1200
- TypeInterface Module
- SpecificationsController: ASPEED AST2500 Feature: Base Board Management Co
- Low-profile PCIe form factor fits dense server chassis
- ASPEED AST2500 controller delivers IPMI 2.0 with iKVM remote management
- Dedicated RJ45 LAN port provides 10/100/1000 Mbps out-of-band access
- VGA output supports 1920x1200@60Hz 32bpp for graphical console
- 54W power draw keeps thermal budget low
Low-profile PCIe IPMI card
The ASRock Rack PAUL is a low-profile PCIe add-in card that provides out-of-band management for servers. It uses the ASPEED AST2500 controller to deliver IPMI 2.0 with iKVM support and a dedicated management LAN port. System administrators can monitor hardware health, control power and access a remote console over the network. The card draws 7.54 W and fits in a single PCI Express 2.0 x1 slot.
Installation notes and common issues
The card installs into any available low-profile PCI Express 2.0 x1 slot and connects to the board through a 5-pin USB 2.0 header for standby power. A 13-pin LPC header is required for TPM functions and another 13-pin header for general LPC use. Builders often forget to plug the USB standby header, which prevents the BMC from staying alive when the host is off. The dual ROM select header must be set correctly for the desired firmware bank.
Pre-order compatibility checks
Verify that the target motherboard exposes a low-profile PCIe x1 slot with enough physical clearance for the 168.45 x 68.9 mm card. Confirm the presence of a 5-pin USB 2.0 header for 5V standby power and the necessary 13-pin or 18-pin headers for TPM, LPC, SMBus, IPMB or GPIO functions. The dedicated RJ45 management port uses a Realtek RTL8211E PHY for 10/100/1000 Mbps connectivity. VGA output is provided through a DB-15 connector at 1920x1200@60Hz 32bpp.
Highlights
- Low-profile PCIe form factor fits dense server chassis
- ASPEED AST2500 controller delivers IPMI 2.0 with iKVM remote management
- Dedicated RJ45 LAN port provides 10/100/1000 Mbps out-of-band access
- VGA output supports 1920x1200@60Hz 32bpp for graphical console
- 54W power draw keeps thermal budget low
Specifications
| Brand | ASRock Rack |
|---|---|
| Model | PAUL |
| Type | Interface Module |
| Specifications | Controller: ASPEED AST2500 Feature: Base Board Management Controller (IPMI2.0 with iKVM support) VGA (1920x1200@60Hz 32bpp) Memory: 2 SPI flash ROM 32MB 1 DDR4 SDRAM 4Gb Physical Status Form Factor: Low profile PCIe add-in-card Dimensions: 168.45 x 68.9 mm I/O Upstream interface: PCI Express2.0 x1 External: 1 RJ45 via Realtek RTL8211E for dedicated IPMI LAN (10/100/1000 Mbps), 1 DB-15 (VGA) Internal connectors: 2 SMBus header 1 x PMBus header 1 x IPMB header 1 x BMC reset 1 x BMC debug header 1 x V BIOS or system BIOS ROM 2 x BMC ROM 1 x Dual ROM select header 1 x TPM (13-pin, LPC) 1 |
| Shipping weight | 0.17 kg |
| Package size | 254 × 197 × 25 mm |
Questions about this item
How can I confirm the PAUL card is functioning after installation?
Connect the dedicated RJ45 LAN port to your management network, assign an IP address to the ASPEED AST2500 BMC, then log into the IPMI 2.0 web interface to verify iKVM video output at 1920x1200@60Hz and sensor readings.
What connectors are on the PAUL card and what must be sourced separately?
The card provides one RJ45 for IPMI LAN, one DB-15 VGA, internal headers for SMBus, PMBus, IPMB, BMC reset, dual ROM select, TPM (13-pin LPC), LPC (13-pin), two fan headers, USB 2.0 (5-pin), GPIO/NCSI (18-pin), case-open/system-fail (18-pin), COM (9-pin), micro-SD slot and USB Type-A; cables and modules for these headers are not included.
Which firmware ROM configuration should I select for the PAUL card?
Use the dual ROM select header to choose between the two onboard BMC ROMs or the V BIOS/system BIOS ROM socket depending on your recovery or update strategy.
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