Do we know if the AMD Framework uses a hardware dTPM or the fTPM from AMD to stop the intermittent stuttering?

Framework Laptop 13
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#1

Based on Linus’ rant about fTPM causing stuttering in Linux, I’m curious if we know which way the AMD boards are going?

Article:

Relevant AMD article:
https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/faq/pa-410

Relevant passage:
" Workaround: As an immediate solution, affected customers dependent on fTPM functionality for Trusted Platform Module support may instead use a hardware TPM (“dTPM”) device for trusted computing. Platform dTPM modules utilize onboard non-volatile memory (NVRAM) that supersedes the TPM/SPIROM interaction described in this article."

3 Likes
#2

TPM expansion card when?

(would that even work? typically there is a dedicated TPM header on server and desktop motherboards)

#3

The current generation AMD mobile chips have Microsoft Pluton, which can function as a hardware TPM if I remember correctly.

I, for one, am looking forward to knowing whether there’ll be an UEFI option to disable the fTPM.

#4

I don’t think it makes a lot of sense due to the big attack surface (man-in-the-middle attacks) [0.1].
In my opinion it makes the most sense to combine a TPM2 with hardware intrusion detection. Note that the frameworks intrusion detection is flawed, since you can reset it when removing the battery and the CMOS battery.

[0] Extracting BitLocker keys from a TPM
[1] From Stolen Laptop to Inside the Company Network — Dolos Group

1 Like
#5