April 2000 - ixp1200 - lists.cs.princeton.edu

RE: Meta Boot Loader
by Johnson, Erik J 02 May '00

02 May '00

> If the boot loader can load our code directly, this is just what we > want. I guess we just need to get the details of the initial boot > loader. For example, what is the format of the file it pulls over? a.out, if I remember the code correctly. After pulling it down, it will jump to the entry point given in the a.out header. > Where in memory is the image placed? (i.e., where do we need to > link our text, bss, and data sections.) there should be MACROs and a routine that determines this in the BSP (BoardSupport/VxWorks/...../sysLib.c) (sorry I don't have the code handy right now, so I might have the names wrong). But look for things of the nature like sysMemTop() and SYS_MEM???. The memory map given in in the HRM might also provide the information. erik > > -Scott > > > Raghunandan, Makaram writes: > > > > The VxWorks boot image that is on the Flash ROM of IXP1200 > Evaluation > > system does exactly what you need. The initial boot loader comes up > > initializes the Chip, and, the Ethernet NIC. After that the full > > suite of VxWorks is pulled over from the network. Now, in > your case, > > you can use this method to load your OS rather than the > default file. > > > > Another alternative is to use the Angel Debug Monitor that is also > > loaded on the FlashROM. The ARM SDT (from ARM LTD.) can be used in > > conjunction with this to load any program on to the StrongARM core. > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Scott C. Karlin [mailto:scott@CS.Princeton.EDU] > > Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2000 8:27 PM > > To: ixp1200(a)CS.Princeton.EDU > > Subject: Meta Boot Loader > > > > > > We'd like to begin porting our own operating system (Scout) > > to the StrongARM core of the IXP1200. To do this we'll > > need a way to get code into the device. We have a couple > > of thoughts on this and would like to get some feedback > > (especially from the Intel folks who are on the list). > > We basically need a way to load a raw image into the core > > and start running it. We are not using VxWorks or eCOS. > > > > Approaches: > > > > 1. Purchase or lease a NetROM device. > > 2. Use a device programmer to program the flash EEPROM. > > Is the flash in a socket? The chip packaging looks > > unfamiliar. > > 3. Use a Meta Boot Loader. This is code that runs > > under VxWorks. The preprogrammed boot loader in > > ROM can load the meta boot loader which will, in > > turn, load our OS code. > > > > Number 3 has the advantage that it is an all software solution. > > The problem is that it appears to need a VxWorks executable > > (the meta boot loader) but we aren't interested in purchasing > > a license for this one little program. Is this something > > that someone else has done (or could do)? >

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RE: Meta Boot Loader
by Paige, Dale W 20 Apr '00

20 Apr '00

Scott - I agree, I also feel uncomfortable with it. I am not aware of a tool to make it easier, but it may exist. One tool that is highly recommended is a suction cup device to handle the flash parts. I do not recommend this process unless required. I was thinking that your desire to port your own RTOS to the IXP1200EB might be most cost effectively attained if you were to use the Cygnus SA1 tool chain which has recently completed a revamp to put cygmon onto the IXP1200 and use that with GDB as a monitor from which you can port your RTOS. Attainment of this goal would require you to go through the pain of removing and programming the flash parts. Also, as I already recommended, keep the original flash in reserve as a fall back. Best Regards - Dale -----Original Message----- From: Scott C. Karlin [mailto:scott@CS.Princeton.EDU] Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 10:28 AM To: dale.w.paige(a)intel.com Cc: ixp1200(a)CS.Princeton.EDU Subject: Re: Meta Boot Loader Thanks, Dale. I was able to "open" the socket. Since it required considerable force, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless they really want to get the chip out. Is there a trick or a tool to close the lid when the time comes? It seems like it will require more force than I am comfortable exerting on the board. -Scott Paige, Dale W writes: > > Scott - > > For a low cost solution I think that you should consider 2. If you can load > your own bootloader, or maybe the cygmon monitor for the SA1 then you should > only have to deal with reprogramming the flash a few times. Once you have > some way to boot code you can then use the BSP code as an example of how to > program the flash form your program. When that is successfully integrated > into a bootable option you should not have to open the flash packages. > > To open them you need to be careful. There are some arrows on the top > pointing in the direct that it must be slid (away from the "front" of the > board). Once the tabs protruding from the front have cleared you can gently > lift the lid, it kind or hinges on the protrusions on the "back" side of > the socket. Note the orientation of the flash in the socket. Save the > originals, you can do some stuff just with the vxWorks bootup interface, and > the Angel and diagnostics are totally functional. > > > Happy coding - Dale > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Scott C. Karlin [mailto:scott@CS.Princeton.EDU] > Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2000 5:27 PM > To: ixp1200(a)CS.Princeton.EDU > Subject: Meta Boot Loader > > > We'd like to begin porting our own operating system (Scout) > to the StrongARM core of the IXP1200. To do this we'll > need a way to get code into the device. We have a couple > of thoughts on this and would like to get some feedback > (especially from the Intel folks who are on the list). > We basically need a way to load a raw image into the core > and start running it. We are not using VxWorks or eCOS. > > Approaches: > > 1. Purchase or lease a NetROM device. > 2. Use a device programmer to program the flash EEPROM. > Is the flash in a socket? The chip packaging looks > unfamiliar. > 3. Use a Meta Boot Loader. This is code that runs > under VxWorks. The preprogrammed boot loader in > ROM can load the meta boot loader which will, in > turn, load our OS code. > > Number 3 has the advantage that it is an all software solution. > The problem is that it appears to need a VxWorks executable > (the meta boot loader) but we aren't interested in purchasing > a license for this one little program. Is this something > that someone else has done (or could do)? > > -Scott

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Re: Meta Boot Loader
by Scott C. Karlin 20 Apr '00

20 Apr '00

Thanks, Dale. I was able to "open" the socket. Since it required considerable force, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless they really want to get the chip out. Is there a trick or a tool to close the lid when the time comes? It seems like it will require more force than I am comfortable exerting on the board. -Scott Paige, Dale W writes: > > Scott - > > For a low cost solution I think that you should consider 2. If you can load > your own bootloader, or maybe the cygmon monitor for the SA1 then you should > only have to deal with reprogramming the flash a few times. Once you have > some way to boot code you can then use the BSP code as an example of how to > program the flash form your program. When that is successfully integrated > into a bootable option you should not have to open the flash packages. > > To open them you need to be careful. There are some arrows on the top > pointing in the direct that it must be slid (away from the "front" of the > board). Once the tabs protruding from the front have cleared you can gently > lift the lid, it kind or hinges on the protrusions on the "back" side of > the socket. Note the orientation of the flash in the socket. Save the > originals, you can do some stuff just with the vxWorks bootup interface, and > the Angel and diagnostics are totally functional. > > > Happy coding - Dale > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Scott C. Karlin [mailto:scott@CS.Princeton.EDU] > Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2000 5:27 PM > To: ixp1200(a)CS.Princeton.EDU > Subject: Meta Boot Loader > > > We'd like to begin porting our own operating system (Scout) > to the StrongARM core of the IXP1200. To do this we'll > need a way to get code into the device. We have a couple > of thoughts on this and would like to get some feedback > (especially from the Intel folks who are on the list). > We basically need a way to load a raw image into the core > and start running it. We are not using VxWorks or eCOS. > > Approaches: > > 1. Purchase or lease a NetROM device. > 2. Use a device programmer to program the flash EEPROM. > Is the flash in a socket? The chip packaging looks > unfamiliar. > 3. Use a Meta Boot Loader. This is code that runs > under VxWorks. The preprogrammed boot loader in > ROM can load the meta boot loader which will, in > turn, load our OS code. > > Number 3 has the advantage that it is an all software solution. > The problem is that it appears to need a VxWorks executable > (the meta boot loader) but we aren't interested in purchasing > a license for this one little program. Is this something > that someone else has done (or could do)? > > -Scott

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IXP1200 Admin
by Scott C. Karlin 20 Apr '00

20 Apr '00

Just a quick reminder that the behavior I chose for the ixp1200 mailing list is that the "Reply-To" field is set to the sender of the message (not the mailing list). If you want your replies to go to the list, be sure to explicitly include in the To or Cc field. This prevents personal replies from accidentally being sent to everyone on the list. The downside, of course, is that replies which continue a discussion thread sometimes don't get sent to everyone. -Scott

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RE: Meta Boot Loader
by Raghunandan, Makaram 20 Apr '00

20 Apr '00

The VxWorks boot image that is on the Flash ROM of IXP1200 Evaluation system does exactly what you need. The initial boot loader comes up initializes the Chip, and, the Ethernet NIC. After that the full suite of VxWorks is pulled over from the network. Now, in your case, you can use this method to load your OS rather than the default file. Another alternative is to use the Angel Debug Monitor that is also loaded on the FalshROM. The ARM SDT (from ARM LTD.) can be used in conjuction with this to load any program on to the StrongARM core. -----Original Message----- From: Scott C. Karlin [mailto:scott@CS.Princeton.EDU] Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2000 8:27 PM To: ixp1200(a)CS.Princeton.EDU Subject: Meta Boot Loader We'd like to begin porting our own operating system (Scout) to the StrongARM core of the IXP1200. To do this we'll need a way to get code into the device. We have a couple of thoughts on this and would like to get some feedback (especially from the Intel folks who are on the list). We basically need a way to load a raw image into the core and start running it. We are not using VxWorks or eCOS. Approaches: 1. Purchase or lease a NetROM device. 2. Use a device programmer to program the flash EEPROM. Is the flash in a socket? The chip packaging looks unfamiliar. 3. Use a Meta Boot Loader. This is code that runs under VxWorks. The preprogrammed boot loader in ROM can load the meta boot loader which will, in turn, load our OS code. Number 3 has the advantage that it is an all software solution. The problem is that it appears to need a VxWorks executable (the meta boot loader) but we aren't interested in purchasing a license for this one little program. Is this something that someone else has done (or could do)? -Scott -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scott C. Karlin Princeton University Graduate Student Department of Computer Science Voice: (609) 258-5386 35 Olden Street Email: scott(a)cs.princeton.edu Princeton, NJ 08544-2087 WWW: http://www.cs.princeton.edu/~scott --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Meta Boot Loader
by Scott C. Karlin 19 Apr '00

19 Apr '00

We'd like to begin porting our own operating system (Scout) to the StrongARM core of the IXP1200. To do this we'll need a way to get code into the device. We have a couple of thoughts on this and would like to get some feedback (especially from the Intel folks who are on the list). We basically need a way to load a raw image into the core and start running it. We are not using VxWorks or eCOS. Approaches: 1. Purchase or lease a NetROM device. 2. Use a device programmer to program the flash EEPROM. Is the flash in a socket? The chip packaging looks unfamiliar. 3. Use a Meta Boot Loader. This is code that runs under VxWorks. The preprogrammed boot loader in ROM can load the meta boot loader which will, in turn, load our OS code. Number 3 has the advantage that it is an all software solution. The problem is that it appears to need a VxWorks executable (the meta boot loader) but we aren't interested in purchasing a license for this one little program. Is this something that someone else has done (or could do)? -Scott -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scott C. Karlin Princeton University Graduate Student Department of Computer Science Voice: (609) 258-5386 35 Olden Street Email: scott(a)cs.princeton.edu Princeton, NJ 08544-2087 WWW: http://www.cs.princeton.edu/~scott --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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