Loading Linux using redboot or u-boot?

Question

Hi,I'm fairly new to embedded Linux so please take it easy on me ;)I am using an ARM9 in an embedded system, and preferably want to bootLinux on it from an SD Card. Is this possible?The ARM9 has 16 kB internal ROM. I can put a boot loader in there,which jumps to NAND flash . In the NAND flash I would like to putreboot or u-boot. When these are executed, I would like them to take akernel image from an SD card.Is this feasible? How much work would have to be done to redboot/u-bootfor this architecture to work? If it's too much, I'll explore otheravenues.Right now I plan to have lots of SD Card space (maybe 1 GB), but notmuch NAND (is 1 MB enough for eCos+loader?)Also, what advantages to redboot and u-boot have over each other?I'm sorry if I'm asking very broad questions, but any help is greatlyappreciated.TIA, Pete

Michael Schnell · Accepted Answer

I tool a look at several ARM9 systems that come with Linux. All of them use U-Boot. U-Boot can display boot menu on the serial port and after that boot from a lot of different media, AFAIK, including internal flash, network, FC and SD card.

-Michael

Captain Dondo · Answer

Check out the TS7300 from  .  They boot of an SD card with a minimal loader in flash.

Michael Schnell · Answer

Do you really want to create a _chip_ using an ARM9 or order such a quantity that someone makes a special version for you ?

If no you will buy an ARM based chip from some factory (e.g. Atmel AT91RM9200). Here they already did the code within the chip-internal ROM. E.g. the AT91RM9200 ROM has multiple (not Linux aware) boot strategies. The OEM boards based on the AT91RM9200 have a FLASH that is booted by the chip-internal ROM.in that Flash there is U-Boot, which provides multiple Linux aware boot strategies.

-Michael

Loading Linux using redboot or u-boot?

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