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Table of Contents
Exposition: RockPro64 - Direct Integration into Slackware AArch64
This exposition also covers Slackware ARM (32bit ARMv7), although at present (May 2021) AArch64 is wider ranging with regard to the plugin development model. Coverage of Hardware Model Direct Integration ARM will be arranged at a later date.
Bootware
The boot loader employed on the RockPro64 and PineBook Pro is U-Boot.
Trusted Firmware-A (ARM Trusted Firmware)
The ARM Trusted Firmware is embedded within the supplied U-Boot loader, and aren't used by the end-user directly. However, some platforms require the Trusted Firmware to boot a Kernel.
The single build script is used to produce the trusted firmware assets for all supported Hardware Models.
Asset(s) | Description |
---|---|
ATF binaries | ATF for RK3399 |
Build script | Builds the Trusted Firmware for supported Hardware Models |
U-Boot Boot Loader
U-Boot configured to boot from SPI Flash
U-Boot configured to boot from SD Card
Built and available but not used for either the Operating System Installation nor Operating System Proper. The image can be written to an SD Card as a header and booted, but U-Boot would fail to boot sometimes after changes to the /boot filesystem, so it was unsuitable as a solution.
Boot Media
* OS and Installer Bootware for SD cards
Slackware Operating System
Kernel
Kernel Configuration
Package Series | Package | Asset | Src |
---|---|---|---|
k | kernel-source | configs/config-armv8 | Slackware AArch64 generic Kernel configuration |
Change Management Process |
---|
Email the new Kernel configuration to the Slackware ARM devel mailing list with a summary of what the changes were for. |
Kernel Patches
Change Management Process |
---|
Provide the origin of the patch set (one or more URLs - https, git, etc.) and they will be retrieved from there. |
Operating System Initial RAM Disk ('OS Initrd')
http://ftp.arm.slackware.com/slackwarearm/slackwarearm-current/source/a/mkinitrd/README.initrd.arm needed?
Kernel Module Loader
The Kernel Module Loader is responsible for loading software drivers (in the form of Kernel Modules) for a variety of common hardware, plus hardware for specific Hardware Models. The goal of the Kernel Module Loader is to load just enough drivers to access the storage upon which the Operating System resides, at which point the boot process can transition to loading the Operating System, which provides a far greater array of hardware support than is required within the early stages of booting Linux and the Slackware OS.
Each Hardware Model typically requires some specific software drivers to light up the hardware. The RockPro64's examples act as templates for all Hardware Models.
Asset | Description |
---|---|
k/SlkOS-initrd-overlay/load_kernel_modules.scr/platform/aarch64/rk3399 | Kernel Module Configuration script for RK3399 Hardware Models (including RockPro64, PineBook Pro) |
Change Management Process |
---|
Email the new configuration to the Slackware ARM devel mailing list, or provide a URL from which it may be obtained. |
Hardware Model Firmware
Package Series | Package | Asset | Src |
---|---|---|---|
a | kernel-firmware | platform/aarch64/rk3399/rk3399 | Firmware packaging script helper |
platform/aarch64/rk3399/get-firmware.sh | Script to retrieve firmware assets | ||
platform/aarch64/rk3399/assets/* | Firmware assets |
Change Management Process |
---|
Provide the origin of the patch set (one or more URLs - https, git, etc.) and they will be retrieved from there. |
Serial Console System Login
To enable a TTY that presents a OS login prompt, which enables system access via the Serial adapter. All Hardware Models must support this.
Package Series | Package | Asset changed | Src |
---|---|---|---|
a | sysvinit-scripts | /install/doinst.sh | Install script additions |
The additions script has inline documentation.
Change Management Process |
---|
This is a simple script and should not be made more complex, because this code typically never changes, thus modularising it serves no utility. Please email a diff to the Slackware ARM devel mailing list and it will be applied |
Local Console (HDMI video, USB Keyboard / Mouse )
Console Video Display
Set within the Kernel Module Loader. Variable name..
X11/Xorg Window System
Uses existing fbturbo driver package. No changes required.
Slackware Installer
Automatic Handling of the OS /boot Partition
/usr/lib/setup/armedslack-SeTpartitions
Installing the Boot Loader onto SPI Flash
/usr/lib/setup/armedslack-bootloader-flash
Disabling Filesystem Checks
If the Hardware Model does not have a battery-backed RTC (Real Time Clock), the Hardware Model will boot with a date that passed many years ago (in some cases the year will be 1970, which is the Epoch of UNIX). The affect of this is such that the filesystem checks will run every single time the system boots, because the last mount time will be significantly different from present date (assuming that the system time was corrected (usually via an NTP time sync) at boot).
Hardware Model | Status |
---|---|
RockPro64 | Not required |
Should the Hardware Model not have an RTC, there is a change to make within the Slackware Installer. /usr/lib/setup/armedslack-nofscheck
Hardware Management
Monitoring
Not yet implemented
Installation Documentation
* board support documentation and YT video url * board-specific documentation - docs.slackware.com * devel list - explanation. Not to develop Slackware, but for develpoment changes for ARM/AArch64 specifically. If the ARM/AArch64 build scripts have bugs or could be adjusted to better support ARM (e.g. with a configuration option to improve performance), subscribe to the list if not alreadt, and send the suggestion here. * management