CPLD in Dell PowerEdge servers

Question

Hello,

the question have been raised some years ago (https://www.dell.com/community/Systems-Management-General/What-is-the-CPLD-What-does-it-do/td-p/3590530) but left unanswered. So what a mysterious thing about CPLD (complex programmable logic device) within Dell PowerEdge servers, one can't find on the Dell site? What is the fucntion of CPLD there? Is it necessary to update its firmware (if applicable) while updating firmwares for other internal server devices? As far as I've found out, one should NOT touch the CPLD until it's REALLY needed. So I do not intend to mess with it, especially while don't uderstand the base things about the stuff. Worthwhile answers are appreciated.

Thanks!

DELL-Josh Cr · Accepted Answer

Hi, We only provide updates for it if necessary, It allows for changes to system board functions beyond what the BIOS does.

iag042016 · Answer

Well, I supposed the CPLD here is to provide some specific logic for the system board devices interaction. I think it is better to leave it “as is”, without any changes, as far as no real need for any CPLD firmware upgrade is perceived for now.

Thanks a lot for your kind explanation.

LeoZ84 · Answer

Hi! Please help to find dell R530 CPLD firmware. After motherboard repair (replace ALTERA MAX II) need to upload firmware.

DELL-Young E · Answer

Hi, thanks for choosing Dell. Can you extract TSL logs? You will see CPLD (it's not readily available on the support website) version there, then please call the local phone support to raise an official ticket with your system's service tag.

LeoZ84 · Answer

Hi! I can't extract logs, with new CPLD chip iDRAC doesn't work. Can you give me phone num to contact support?

DELL-Marco B · Answer

Hello, it depend by the country where you are, you can see here the contact entering the service tag. Thanks https://dell.to/3vC9kAo Marco

physicsdolphin · Answer

@LeoZ84 It's been 3 years ​since your last reply, and I know not so much people would keep their hope after a blank CPLD chip with no firmware available online. Don't know if you still need this but I've managed to rescue an R730 in a similar state. Dell Rx30 use Altera Max II CPLD chip which can be directly accessed using JTAG debug pin near the chip. You'll need a USB-Blaster / USB-Blaster II programmer connected to a host machine with Intel Quartus Prime Lite Edition installed. Also, you have to find another R530 with a working CPLD chip, which later would be the volunteer of the CPLD firmware you need. Search for EPM2210F324C5N's datasheet and pinout to find the corresponding debug pin(In my case, it's a group of 1*7 pads near the chip where the first 6 pad is needed) of GND TCK TMS TDI TDO and VCC(TRIG). Just solder some Dupont wires from those pins and connect the wire to your blaster, then connect the power supply and power on the server board (without CPLD firmware it won't power up, but you need Vcc from board to make CPLD enter a responding state) detect the chip from your host machine use Intel's tool. If the chip is soldered correctly and all debug pin is connected, you'll see EPM2210 series like this:   Now the solution is clear: solder the debug pin of a working R530 and connect it to your host -> readout the correct firmware using Quartus Prime Lite (save as .pof) -> solder the debug pin of your dying R530 and do the same -> flash the correct firmware you've obtained. If you are lucky enough, the CPLD will instantly start executing the power-on sequence and the server will come back alive and start booting since it's already connected to AC power. Of course you can save the .pof file, but I hope you'll never need that again.

Systems Management General

CPLD in Dell PowerEdge servers

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