Coreboot Training Course

1. Introduction to Coreboot

• Defining Coreboot: An Overview
• Comparing BIOS, UEFI, and Coreboot
• Exploring Coreboot’s architecture and design principles
• Examining the benefits and limitations of open-source firmware
• Reviewing supported platforms and hardware compatibility

2. Getting Started with Coreboot

• Configuring the development environment
• Installing necessary tools and dependencies
• Navigating the Coreboot source code repository
• Comprehending the build process
• Accessing documentation and community resources

3. Understanding the Coreboot Source Tree

• Analyzing directory structure and project organization
• Reviewing main configuration files
• Exploring board-specific implementations
• Support for mainboards, chipsets, CPUs, and SoCs
• Utilizing Kconfig and menuconfig for configuration

4. Configuring and Building Coreboot

• Choosing the appropriate target platform
• Adjusting firmware options
• Selecting and configuring payloads
• Compiling the Coreboot image
• Validating build outputs
• Adhering to best practices for firmware configuration

5. Testing Coreboot with QEMU

• Overview of firmware emulation
• Executing Coreboot within QEMU
• Confirming the boot process
• Diagnosing startup issues
• Safely testing configuration modifications

6. Firmware Components and Boot Process

• Phases of Coreboot initialization
• The ROM stage
• The RAM stage
• Resource allocation mechanisms
• Payload loading procedures
• General overview of the boot flow
• Understanding CBFS (Coreboot File System)

7. Payloads and Bootloaders

• Concepts of payloads
• SeaBIOS implementation
• U-Boot integration
• Introduction to Tianocore/EDK II
• Selecting the optimal payload
• Boot operating systems using Coreboot

8. Coreboot in Practice

• Integration with ChromeOS
• Applications in embedded systems
• Use cases for servers and workstations
• Security advantages
• Performance factors to consider
• Strategies for firmware updates

9. Troubleshooting and Debugging

• Interpreting Coreboot logs
• Debugging via serial console
• Addressing common build errors
• Resolving hardware compatibility issues
• Recovery methods for failed firmware flashes
• Utilizing effective debugging tools and techniques

10. Hands-on Lab and Summary

• Constructing a Coreboot image
• Testing the firmware in QEMU
• Adjusting basic configurations
• Analyzing boot logs
• Recap of fundamental concepts
• Q&A session
• Identifying next steps and additional learning resources