This talk introduces an open platform and proof-of-concept for developing OpenBMC firmware on Arm servers using the Neoverse Fixed Virtual Platform (FVP). Co-developed by Arm and 9elements, the platform enables early development and validation of BMC features—such as telemetry, RAS logging, and Redfish—before silicon is available. The session highlights system architecture, SBMR-defined interfaces, and key lessons from enabling server manageability in a virtualized Arm environment.
This session presents a virtualized development platform that brings OpenBMC to Arm’s Neoverse Fixed Virtual Platform (FVP). Co-developed by Arm and 9elements, the platform supports early firmware bring-up, testing, and standards validation without requiring physical hardware.
The talk covers the high-level architecture, which includes a virtual BMC and an Auxiliary Satellite Management Controller (SatMC), and demonstrates how the platform enables critical server manageability features defined by Arm’s Server Base Manageability Requirements (SBMR), including:
- The SBMR-defined side-band interface using MCTP/PLDM
- In-band host communication via IPMI and Redfish
- Out-of-band Redfish and IPMI access
- Use cases such as RAS event logging, boot progress reporting, and telemetry collection
The presentation also highlights a hybrid development configuration that pairs the virtual host with a physical ASPEED AST2600 EVK acting as the BMC. Attendees will gain insight into how virtual infrastructure can accelerate OpenBMC development, streamline integration workflows, and validate standards-based manageability features on Arm servers— even before silicon is available.