To make it absolutely clear that runtime services cannot retain access
to devices that are 'owned' by the OS, add a section spelling the
situation out. Devices may be owned by the OS, or owned by runtime
services, but not both.
Also rework the RTC clock section to allow for the RTC being
inaccessible for exactly that reason.
Resolves: #1, "Need policy on sharing devices between FW and OS"
Resolves: #14, "RTC should be optional"
Signed-off-by: Grant Likely <grant.likely(a)arm.com>
---
source/chapter2-uefi.rst | 33 +++++++++++++++++++++++++--------
1 file changed, 25 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-)
diff --git a/source/chapter2-uefi.rst b/source/chapter2-uefi.rst
index 05230d2..1f37944 100644
--- a/source/chapter2-uefi.rst
+++ b/source/chapter2-uefi.rst
@@ -143,17 +143,34 @@ To allow Operating Systems to use 64K page mappings, UEFI 2.7, constrains all
mapped 4K memory pages to have identical page attributes, within the same
physical 64K page.
-Real-time Clock
----------------
+Runtime Device Mappings
+-----------------------
+
+Firmware shall not create runtime mappings, or perform any runtime IO that will
+conflict with device access.
+Normally this means a device may be controlled by firmware, or controlled by
+the OS, but not both.
+e.g. If firmware attempts to access an eMMC device at runtime then it will
+conflict with transactions being performed by the OS.
+
+Devices that are provided to the OS (i.e., via PCIe discovery or ACPI/DT
+description) shall not be access by firmware at runtime.
+Similarly, devices retained by firmware (i.e., not discoverable by the OS)
+shall not be accessed by the OS.
+
+Only devices that explicitly support concurrent access by both firmware and an
+OS may be mapped at runtime by both firmware and the OS.
-The Real-time Clock must be accessible via the UEFI runtime firmware, and the
-following services must be provided:
+Real-time Clock (RTC)
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-- GetTime()
-- SetTime()
+In an embedded system design, it may not be possible to dedicate the RTC to
+runtime services. e.g., The RTC may be on a shared I2C bus which runtime
+services cannot access because it will conflict with the OS.
-It is permissible for SetTime() to return an error on systems where the
-Real-time Clock cannot be set by this call.
+Firmware must provide the UEFI GetTime() and SetTime() runtime service calls,
+but if an RTC isn't present, or cannot be accessed at runtime, then both calls
+shall return EFI_DEVICE_ERROR.
UEFI Reset and Shutdown
-----------------------
--
2.13.0
Special care is needed when storage is shared between firmware and the
OS. Add a chapter that discusses the issues and puts down the
requirements for using shared storage.
Resolves: #19
Cc: Daniel Thompson <daniel.thompson(a)linaro.org>
Signed-off-by: Grant Likely <grant.likely(a)arm.com>
---
source/chapter2-uefi.rst | 44 ------
source/chapter4-firmware-media.rst | 267 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
source/index.rst | 1 +
3 files changed, 268 insertions(+), 44 deletions(-)
create mode 100644 source/chapter4-firmware-media.rst
diff --git a/source/chapter2-uefi.rst b/source/chapter2-uefi.rst
index 07426a4..05230d2 100644
--- a/source/chapter2-uefi.rst
+++ b/source/chapter2-uefi.rst
@@ -56,50 +56,6 @@ System Volume Format
The system firmware must support all partitioning standards required
by the UEFI specification.
-On systems where the system firmware binaries reside on the System Volume then
-the System Volume must be pre-configured with a partition table and include
-protective partitions to reduce risk of accidental destruction of the system
-firmware.
-
-All pre-installed partition tables must use GPT partitioning unless
-some immutable feature of the platform (such as a mask programmed boot ROM)
-makes this impossible; on such platforms MBR partitioning may be
-used as an alternative.
-
-GPT partitioning
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-
-Any pre-installed partition table must strictly conform to the UEFI
-specification and include a protective MBR authored exactly as
-described in UEFI specification (hybrid partitioning schemes are not
-permitted).
-
-Pre-installed protective partitions must have the Platform Required
-Attribute Flag set.
-
-It is recommended that automatic system disk partitioning utilities
-preserve Platform Required partitions as is, and that manual disk
-partitioning utilities provide warnings and/or other safe guards to
-reduce risk of accidental removal.
-
-MBR partitioning
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-
-Pre-installed protective partitions should have a partition type of 0xF8
-unless some immutable feature of the platform makes this impossible.
-
-It is recommended that disk partitioning utilities treat such
-partitions in the same manner as GPT partitions with the Platform
-Required Attribute Flag set.
-
-It is recommended that pre-installed protective partitions that are not
-type 0xF8 be located wholly within 1MB of the start of the disk.
-
-Automatic disk partitioning utilities shall not create partitions
-within 1MB of the start of the disk. Manual disk partitioning
-utilities should avoid recommending that partitions start within
-1MB of the start of the disk.
-
UEFI Boot Services
==================
diff --git a/source/chapter4-firmware-media.rst b/source/chapter4-firmware-media.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f8a03db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/chapter4-firmware-media.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,267 @@
+****************
+Firmware Storage
+****************
+
+In general, it is recommended for all platforms to store firmware images
+and data on a dedicated storage device which is not accessed by the operating
+system.
+It is common practice to boot firmware out of a dedicated SPI flash,
+while the OS is loaded from another source, whether it be SATA, SD, USB,
+Network boot, or something else.
+
+However, many embedded systems have size, cost, or usage constraints that
+make separate firmware storage unfeasible.
+On such systems, firmware and the OS reside on the same media.
+
+Some shared media provides dedicate boot regions, but in many cases
+firmware needs to reside in a normal region of storage.
+Care must be taken to ensure firmware kept in normal storage does not
+conflict with normal usage of the media by an OS.
+
+* Firmware must be stored on the media in a way that does not conflict
+ with normal partitioning and usage by the operating system.
+* Normal operation of the OS must not interfere with firmware files
+* Firmware needs a method to modify variable storage at runtime while the
+ OS controls access to the device
+
+Partitioning of Shared Storage
+==============================
+
+Shared storage must use GPT partitioning unless the storage media provides
+device-native partitioning [#UFSparts]_,
+or if an immutable property of the platform (ex. the masked boot ROM)
+is incompatible with the SoC boot ROM).
+MBR partitioning shall be used when the platform is incompatible with GPT.
+
+.. warning::
+
+ MBR partitioning is deprecated and only included for legacy support.
+ All new platforms are expected to use either GPT or device-native
+ partitioning.
+
+ GPT partitioning supports a much larger number of partitions, and
+ has build in redundancy by storing two copies of the partition table.
+
+ A future issue of this specification will remove the MBR allowance.
+
+All firmware images and data stored in normal media should be contained
+in a regular partition,
+which can either be a dedicated firmware partition,
+or the UEFI System Partition (ESP).
+
+The system should locate firmware by reading the partition table.
+Using a fixed offset into the storage media is deprecated and should not
+be used for new SoC designs.
+If a fixed offset is required by the hardware, then it is strongly recommended
+for the firmware location to be covered by a protective partition to protect
+against accidentally overwriting system firmware.
+
+.. warning::
+
+ Fixed offsets to firmware data is supported only for legacy reasons.
+ All new platforms are expected to use partitions to locate firmware files.
+
+ A future issues of this specification will disallow the use of fixed
+ offsets.
+
+GPT partitioning
+----------------
+
+Any pre-installed partition table must strictly conform to the UEFI
+specification and include a protective MBR authored exactly as
+described in UEFI specification (hybrid partitioning schemes are not
+permitted).
+
+Pre-installed protective partitions must have the Platform Required
+Attribute Flag set.
+
+It is recommended that automatic system disk partitioning utilities
+preserve Platform Required partitions as is, and that manual disk
+partitioning utilities provide warnings and/or other safe guards to
+reduce risk of accidental removal.
+
+The system should locate firmware images by searching for partitions with
+the following UUIDs in order:
+
+.. table::
+
+ ==================================== ======== ========================
+ UUID Priority Description
+ ==================================== ======== ========================
+ Vendor defined UUID 1 (Not recommended)
+ Proprietary vendor
+ dedicated firmware
+ partition. Should only
+ be used if firmware
+ cannot use a FAT
+ filesystem.
+ TBD 2 EBBR compliant dedicated
+ firmware partition
+ C12A7328-F81F-11D2-BA4B-00A0C93EC93B 3 UEFI System Partition
+ as defined in
+ UEFI § 5.3.3
+ ==================================== ======== ========================
+
+.. note::
+
+ Should the vendor defined UUID be included in this table at all?
+
+MBR partitioning
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+Pre-installed protective partitions should have a partition type of 0xF8
+unless some immutable feature of the platform makes this impossible.
+
+It is recommended that disk partitioning utilities treat such
+partitions in the same manner as GPT partitions with the Platform
+Required Attribute Flag set.
+
+It is recommended that pre-installed protective partitions that are not
+type 0xF8 be located wholly within 1MB of the start of the disk.
+
+Automatic disk partitioning utilities shall not create partitions
+within 1MB of the start of the disk. Manual disk partitioning
+utilities should avoid recommending that partitions start within
+1MB of the start of the disk.
+
+.. [#UFSParts] For example, Universal Flash Storage (UFS) provides
+ device-native partitioning and does not require a discrete MBR or
+ GPT partition table.
+
+Firmware Partition Filesystem
+=============================
+
+Where possible, firmware images and data should be stored in a filesystem.
+Firmware can be stored either in a dedicated firmware partition,
+or in certain circumstances in the UEFI System Partition (ESP).
+Using a filesystem makes it simpler to manage multiple firmware file and
+makes it possible for a single disk image to contain firmware for multiple
+platforms.
+
+Dedicated firmware partitions are recommended to be formatted with a FAT
+filesystem as defined by the UEFI specification.
+However, dedicated firmware partition must not be used as an ESP.
+EFI binaries in a dedicated firmware partition should be ignored
+by default.
+
+When firmware is stored in the ESP, the ESP must contain a partition named
+``/FIRMWARE`` in the root directory.
+Dedicated firmware partitions should use the same ``/FIRMWARE`` hierarchy.
+All firmware images and data must be stored in platform vendor
+subdirectories under ``/FIRMWARE``.
+
+Vendors may choose their own subdirectory name under ``/FIRMWARE``,
+but must choose names the do not conflict with other vendors.
+Normally the vendor name will be the name of the SoC vendor, because the
+firmware directory name will be hard coded in the SoC's boot ROM.
+Vendors are recommended to use their Devicetree vendor prefix as their
+vendor subdirectory name.
+
+Vendors are free to decide how to structure subdirectories under their
+own vendor directory, but they must use a naming convention that allows
+multiple SoCs to be supported in the same filesystem.
+
+For example, a vendor named Acme with two SoCs, ACME100 & AM300, could
+choose to use the SoC part number as a subdirectory in the firmware path::
+
+ /FIRMWARE
+ /ACME
+ /ACME100
+ fw.img
+ /ACME300
+ fw.img
+
+It is also recommended for dedicated firmware partitions to use the
+``/FIRMWARE`` file hierarchy.
+
+The following is a sample directory structure for firmware files::
+
+ /FIRMWARE
+ /<Vendor 1 Directory>
+ /<SoC A Directory>
+ <Firmware image>
+ <Firmware data>
+ /<SoC B Directory>
+ <Firmware image>
+ <Firmware data>
+ /<Vendor 2 Directory>
+ <Common Firmware image>
+ <Common Firmware data>
+ /<Vendor 3 Directory>
+ /<SoC E Directory>
+ <Firmware image>
+
+Operating systems and installers should not manipulate any files in the
+``/FIRMWARE`` hierarchy during normal operation.
+
+.. todo:
+
+ * Recommend failover A/B image layout to protect against corrupted
+ firmware.
+ * Define firmware update procedure. In what circumstances could an
+ OS automatically update firmware files in ``/FIRMWARE``?
+
+The sections below discuss the requirements when using both fixed and
+removable storage.
+However, it should be noted that the recommended behaviour of firmware
+should be identical regardless of storage type.
+In both cases, the recommended boot sequence is to first search for firmware
+in a dedicated firmware partition, and second search for firmware in the
+ESP.
+The only difference between fixed and removable storage is the recommended
+factory settings for the platform.
+
+
+Fixed Shared Storage
+--------------------
+
+Fixed storage is storage that is permanently attached to the platform,
+and cannot be moved between systems.
+eMMC and Universal Flash Storage (UFS) device are often used as
+shared fixed storage for both firmware and the OS.
+
+Where possible, it is prefered for the system to boot from a dedicated boot
+region on media that provides one (ex. eMMC) that is sufficiently large.
+Otherwise, the platform storage should be pre-formatted in the factory with
+a partition table, a dedicated firmware partition, and firmware binaries
+installed.
+
+Operating systems must not use the dedicated firmware partition,
+but shall instead create a normal ESP for installing the EFI applications
+including the OS loader.
+OS partitioning tools must take care not to modify or delete dedicated
+firmware partitions.
+
+Removable Shared Storage
+------------------------
+
+Removable storage is any media that can be physically removed from
+the system and moved to another machine as part of normal operation
+(ex. SD cards, USB thumb drives, and CDs).
+
+There are two primary scenarios for storing firmware on removable media.
+
+1. Platforms that only have removable media (ex. The Raspberry Pi has an
+ SD card slot, but no fixed storage).
+2. Recovery when on-board firmware has been corrupted. If firmware on
+ fixed media has been corrupted, some platforms support loading firmware
+ from removable media which can then be used to recover the platform.
+
+In both cases, it is desirable to start with a stock OS boot image,
+copy it to the media (SD or USB), and then add the necessary firmware files
+to make the platform bootable.
+Typically, OS boot images won't include a dedicated firmware partition,
+and it is inconvenient to repartition the media to add one.
+It is simpler and easier for the user if they are able to copy
+the required firmware files into the ``/FIRMWARE`` directory tree on the ESP
+using the basic file manager tools provided by all desktop operating systems.
+
+On removable media, firmware should be stored in the ESP under the
+``/FIRMWARE`` directory structure as described above.
+Platform vendors should support their platform by providing a single
+.zip file that places all the required firmware files in the correct
+locations when extracted in the ESP ``/FIRMWARE`` directory.
+For simplicity sake, it is expected the same .zip file will recover the
+firmware files in a dedicated firmware partition.
+
+
diff --git a/source/index.rst b/source/index.rst
index 5ddd19f..8099ac6 100644
--- a/source/index.rst
+++ b/source/index.rst
@@ -37,5 +37,6 @@ Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.
chapter1-about
chapter2-uefi
chapter3-secureworld
+ chapter4-firmware-media
appendix-a-uefi-features
references
--
2.13.0
Special care is needed when storage is shared between firmware and the
OS. Add a chapter that discusses the issues and puts down the
requirements for using shared storage.
v2:
- Remove table of firmware partition types as unnecessary at this point
- Remove most of the UFS native partitioning discussion. Native
partitioning is akin to SCSI Logical Units (LU) which can effectively
be treated as independent devices with their own partition table. No
need to handle them specially.
- Tighten up language to be more specific.
Resolves: #19
Cc: Daniel Thompson <daniel.thompson(a)linaro.org>
Cc: Rob Herring <robh(a)kernel.org>
Signed-off-by: Grant Likely <grant.likely(a)arm.com>
---
source/chapter1-about.rst | 5 +
source/chapter2-uefi.rst | 44 -------
source/chapter4-firmware-media.rst | 245 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
source/index.rst | 1 +
4 files changed, 251 insertions(+), 44 deletions(-)
create mode 100644 source/chapter4-firmware-media.rst
diff --git a/source/chapter1-about.rst b/source/chapter1-about.rst
index 125e400..d713cf3 100644
--- a/source/chapter1-about.rst
+++ b/source/chapter1-about.rst
@@ -91,6 +91,11 @@ This document uses the following terms and abbreviations.
execute Secure Monitor code, which handles the transitions between
Non-secure and Secure states. EL3 is always in Secure state.
+ Logical Unit (LU)
+ A logical unit (LU) is an externally addressable, independent entity
+ within a device. In the context of storage, a single device may use
+ logical units to provide multiple independent storage areas.
+
OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer. In this document, the final device
manufacturer.
diff --git a/source/chapter2-uefi.rst b/source/chapter2-uefi.rst
index 07426a4..05230d2 100644
--- a/source/chapter2-uefi.rst
+++ b/source/chapter2-uefi.rst
@@ -56,50 +56,6 @@ System Volume Format
The system firmware must support all partitioning standards required
by the UEFI specification.
-On systems where the system firmware binaries reside on the System Volume then
-the System Volume must be pre-configured with a partition table and include
-protective partitions to reduce risk of accidental destruction of the system
-firmware.
-
-All pre-installed partition tables must use GPT partitioning unless
-some immutable feature of the platform (such as a mask programmed boot ROM)
-makes this impossible; on such platforms MBR partitioning may be
-used as an alternative.
-
-GPT partitioning
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-
-Any pre-installed partition table must strictly conform to the UEFI
-specification and include a protective MBR authored exactly as
-described in UEFI specification (hybrid partitioning schemes are not
-permitted).
-
-Pre-installed protective partitions must have the Platform Required
-Attribute Flag set.
-
-It is recommended that automatic system disk partitioning utilities
-preserve Platform Required partitions as is, and that manual disk
-partitioning utilities provide warnings and/or other safe guards to
-reduce risk of accidental removal.
-
-MBR partitioning
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-
-Pre-installed protective partitions should have a partition type of 0xF8
-unless some immutable feature of the platform makes this impossible.
-
-It is recommended that disk partitioning utilities treat such
-partitions in the same manner as GPT partitions with the Platform
-Required Attribute Flag set.
-
-It is recommended that pre-installed protective partitions that are not
-type 0xF8 be located wholly within 1MB of the start of the disk.
-
-Automatic disk partitioning utilities shall not create partitions
-within 1MB of the start of the disk. Manual disk partitioning
-utilities should avoid recommending that partitions start within
-1MB of the start of the disk.
-
UEFI Boot Services
==================
diff --git a/source/chapter4-firmware-media.rst b/source/chapter4-firmware-media.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..604df18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/chapter4-firmware-media.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,245 @@
+****************
+Firmware Storage
+****************
+
+In general, EBBR compliant platforms should use dedicated storage for boot
+firmware images and data,
+independent of the storage used for OS partitions and the ESP.
+This could be a physically separate device (e.g. SPI flash),
+or a dedicated logical unit (LU) within a device
+(e.g. eMMC boot partition, [#eMMCBootPartition]_
+or UFS boot LU [#LogicalUnitNote]_).
+
+However, many embedded systems have size, cost, or implementation
+constraints that make separate firmware storage unfeasible.
+On such systems, firmware and the OS reside in the same storage device.
+Care must be taken to ensure firmware kept in normal storage does not
+conflict with normal usage of the media by an OS.
+
+* Firmware must be stored on the media in a way that does not conflict
+ with normal partitioning and usage by the operating system.
+* Normal operation of the OS must not interfere with firmware files.
+* Firmware needs a method to modify variable storage at runtime while the
+ OS controls access to the device. [#LUVariables]_
+
+.. [#eMMCBootPartition] Watch out for the ambiguity of the word 'partition'.
+ In most of this document, a 'partition' is a contiguous region of a block
+ device as described by a GPT or MBR partition table,
+ but eMMC devices also provide a dedicated 'boot partition' that is addressed
+ separately from the main storage region, and does not appear in the
+ partition table.
+
+.. [#LogicalUnitNote] For the purposes of this document, logical units are
+ treated as independent storage devices, each with their own GPT or MBR
+ partition table.
+ A platform that uses one LU for firmware, and another LU for OS partitions
+ and the ESP is considered to be using dedicated firmware storage.
+
+.. [#LUVariables] Runtime access to firmware data may still be an issue when
+ firmware is stored in a dedicated LU, simply because the OS remains in
+ control of the storage device command stream. If firmware doesn't have
+ a dedicated channel to the storage device, then the OS must proxy all
+ runtime storage IO.
+
+Partitioning of Shared Storage
+==============================
+
+A shared storage device shall use GPT partitioning unless it is incompatible
+with the platform boot sequence.
+In which case, MBR partitioning shall be used. [#MBRReqExample]_
+
+.. [#MBRReqExample] For example, if the boot ROM doesn't understand GPT
+ partitioning, and will only work with an MBR, then the storage must be
+ partitioned using an MBR.
+
+.. warning::
+
+ MBR partitioning is deprecated and only included for legacy support.
+ All new platforms are expected to use GPT partitioning.
+ GPT partitioning supports a much larger number of partitions, and
+ has built in resiliency.
+
+ A future issue of this specification will remove the MBR allowance.
+
+Firmware images and data in shared storage should be contained
+in partitions described by the GPT or MBR.
+The platform should locate firmware by searching the partition table for
+the partition(s) containing firmware.
+
+However, some SoCs load firmware from a fixed offset into the storage media.
+In this case, to protect against partitioning tools overwriting firmware, the
+firmware image shall either reside entirely within the first 1MiB of storage,
+or should be covered by a protective partition entry in the partition table as
+described in sections :ref:`section-gpt-parts` and :ref:`section-mbr-parts`.
+
+Automatic partitioning tools (e.g. an OS installer) must not create
+partitions within the first 1MiB of storage, or delete, move, or modify
+protective partition entries.
+Manual partitioning tools should provide warnings when modifying
+protective partitions or creating partitions within the first 1MiB.
+
+.. warning::
+
+ Fixed offsets to firmware data is supported only for legacy reasons.
+ All new platforms are expected to use partitions to locate firmware files.
+
+ A future issues of this specification will disallow the use of fixed
+ offsets.
+
+.. _section-gpt-parts:
+
+GPT partitioning
+----------------
+
+The partition table must strictly conform to the UEFI specification and include
+a protective MBR authored exactly as described in [UEFI]_ § 5 (hybrid
+partitioning schemes are not permitted).
+
+Protective partitions must have the Platform Required Attribute Flag set.
+
+.. _section-mbr-parts:
+
+MBR partitioning
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+Protective partitions should have a partition type of 0xF8 unless some
+immutable feature of the platform makes this impossible.
+
+.. _section-fw-partition-fs:
+
+Firmware Partition Filesystem
+=============================
+
+Where possible, firmware images and data should be stored in a filesystem.
+Firmware can be stored either in a dedicated firmware partition,
+or in certain circumstances in the UEFI System Partition (ESP).
+Using a filesystem makes it simpler to manage multiple firmware files and
+makes it possible for a single disk image to contain firmware for multiple
+platforms.
+
+When firmware is stored in the ESP, the ESP should contain a partition named
+``/FIRMWARE`` in the root directory,
+and all firmware images and data should be stored in platform vendor
+subdirectories under ``/FIRMWARE``.
+
+Dedicated firmware partitions should be formatted with a FAT
+filesystem as defined by the UEFI specification.
+Dedicated firmware partitions should use the same ``/FIRMWARE`` directory
+hierarchy.
+OS tools shall ignore dedicated firmware partitions,
+and shall not attempt to use a dedicated firmware partition as an ESP.
+
+Vendors may choose their own subdirectory name under ``/FIRMWARE``,
+but shall choose names the do not conflict with other vendors.
+Normally the vendor name will be the name of the SoC vendor, because the
+firmware directory name will be hard coded in the SoC's boot ROM.
+Vendors are recommended to use their Devicetree vendor prefix as their
+vendor subdirectory name.
+
+Vendors are free to decide how to structure subdirectories under their
+own vendor directory, but they shall use a naming convention that allows
+multiple SoCs to be supported in the same filesystem.
+
+For example, a vendor named Acme with two SoCs, AM100 & AM300, could
+choose to use the SoC part number as a subdirectory in the firmware path::
+
+ /FIRMWARE
+ /ACME
+ /AM100
+ fw.img
+ /AM300
+ fw.img
+
+It is also recommended for dedicated firmware partitions to use the
+``/FIRMWARE`` file hierarchy.
+
+The following is a sample directory structure for firmware files::
+
+ /FIRMWARE
+ /<Vendor 1 Directory>
+ /<SoC A Directory>
+ <Firmware image>
+ <Firmware data>
+ /<SoC B Directory>
+ <Firmware image>
+ <Firmware data>
+ /<Vendor 2 Directory>
+ <Common Firmware image>
+ <Common Firmware data>
+ /<Vendor 3 Directory>
+ /<SoC E Directory>
+ <Firmware image>
+
+Operating systems and installers should not manipulate any files in the
+``/FIRMWARE`` hierarchy during normal operation.
+
+.. todo:
+
+ * Recommend failover A/B image layout to protect against corrupted
+ firmware.
+ * Define firmware update procedure. In what circumstances could an
+ OS automatically update firmware files in ``/FIRMWARE``?
+
+The sections below discuss the requirements when using both fixed and
+removable storage.
+However, it should be noted that the recommended behaviour of firmware
+should be identical regardless of storage type.
+In both cases, the recommended boot sequence is to first search for firmware
+in a dedicated firmware partition, and second search for firmware in the
+ESP.
+The only difference between fixed and removable storage is the recommended
+factory settings for the platform.
+
+
+Fixed Shared Storage
+--------------------
+
+Fixed storage is storage that is permanently attached to the platform,
+and cannot be moved between systems.
+eMMC and Universal Flash Storage (UFS) device are often used as
+shared fixed storage for both firmware and the OS.
+
+Where possible, it is prefered for the system to boot from a dedicated boot
+region on media that provides one (e.g., eMMC) that is sufficiently large.
+Otherwise, the platform storage should be pre-formatted in the factory with
+a partition table, a dedicated firmware partition, and firmware binaries
+installed.
+
+Operating systems must not use the dedicated firmware partition for installing
+EFI applications including, but not limited to, the OS loader and OS specific
+files. Instead, a normal ESP should be created.
+OS partitioning tools must take care not to modify or delete dedicated
+firmware partitions.
+
+Removable Shared Storage
+------------------------
+
+Removable storage is any media that can be physically removed from
+the system and moved to another machine as part of normal operation
+(e.g., SD cards, USB thumb drives, and CDs).
+
+There are two primary scenarios for storing firmware on removable media.
+
+1. Platforms that only have removable media (e.g., The Raspberry Pi has an
+ SD card slot, but no fixed storage).
+2. Recovery when on-board firmware has been corrupted. If firmware on
+ fixed media has been corrupted, some platforms support loading firmware
+ from removable media which can then be used to recover the platform.
+
+In both cases, it is desirable to start with a stock OS boot image,
+copy it to the media (SD or USB), and then add the necessary firmware files
+to make the platform bootable.
+Typically, OS boot images won't include a dedicated firmware partition,
+and it is inconvenient to repartition the media to add one.
+It is simpler and easier for the user if they are able to copy
+the required firmware files into the ``/FIRMWARE`` directory tree on the ESP
+using the basic file manager tools provided by all desktop operating systems.
+
+On removable media, firmware should be stored in the ESP under the
+``/FIRMWARE`` directory structure as described in
+:ref:`section-fw-partition-fs`.
+Platform vendors should support their platform by providing a single
+.zip file that places all the required firmware files in the correct
+locations when extracted in the ESP ``/FIRMWARE`` directory.
+For simplicity sake, it is expected the same .zip file will recover the
+firmware files in a dedicated firmware partition.
diff --git a/source/index.rst b/source/index.rst
index 5ddd19f..8099ac6 100644
--- a/source/index.rst
+++ b/source/index.rst
@@ -37,5 +37,6 @@ Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.
chapter1-about
chapter2-uefi
chapter3-secureworld
+ chapter4-firmware-media
appendix-a-uefi-features
references
--
2.13.0
Hi folks,
This is a call for agenda items for tomorrow's EBBR meeting. So far I
just have:
- Action item review
- Any other business
As always, this Google doc will be used to capture notes. Please help
filling it in. You may need to request edit access if I haven't already
added you.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RdlFp5SIrvjcVOGoGEFVYDsqTqFBJHugbBMV5Mu…
---
Every Thursday at 16:30 UTC/BST, 8:30 PST/PDT, 00:30 CST
(following UTC/BST daylight savings time shifts)
Online meeting: https://meet.lync.com/armh/grant.likely/YBY93TIK
Skype Web App: https://meet.lync.com/armh/grant.likely/YBY93TIK?sl=1
Phone +44 2033215213,, 4664465#
Find a local number:
https://dialin.lync.com/7bdb65cd-97d0-44fe-bc03-bf8072eadc33
Conference ID: 4664465
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The contents of this email and any attachments are
confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the intended
recipient, please notify the sender immediately and do not disclose the
contents to any other person, use it for any purpose, or store or copy
the information in any medium. Thank you.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and do not disclose the contents to any other person, use it for any purpose, or store or copy the information in any medium. Thank you.
I've been thinking about how to organize EBBR. It started matching the
SBBR document structure with the ACPI & ACPI sections removed, but I've
moved things around a bit (for instance, citations are now at the end
and use the citation markup so they can be collected from the whole
document.) We also want to talk about some device sharing issues that
SBBR doesn't need to get into, so we need a place to put that stuff.
For discussion, what do you think of the following Table of Contents? I
do expect this to change, but I'd like to come to general agreement on
how the document is structured.
1. About this Document
1.1 Introcution
1.2 Scope
2. UEFI
2.1 UEFI Version
2.2 UEFI Compliance
2.3 UEFI System Environment and Configuration
2.4 UEFI Boot Services
2.4.1 Required (Moved from Appendix to here)
2.4.2 Optional (this section may be redundant. If it isn't required,
then by default it is optional!!)
2.5 UEFI Runtime Services
2.5.1 Required
2.5.2 Optional
3. System Configuration Data
3.1 Devicetree
3.2 ACPI
4. Privileged Firmware
4.1 PSCI
4.2 Secure Services
5. Hardware Configuration and Access
5.1 Shared Storage Media
5.1.1 Block device partitioning
5.1.2 Protecting firmware partitions/blocks
5.2 Shared access (i2c/SPI)
5.3 RTC
(Everything below is additional guidance material, and doesn't make up
part of the spec. I've not decided if I'd rather have it in the
documentm, or as a separate guidance note)
Appendix A - U-Boot implementation note (How to configure U-Boot to be
EBBR compliant)
Appendix B - EBBR Compliance Testing
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and do not disclose the contents to any other person, use it for any purpose, or store or copy the information in any medium. Thank you.
Add some more detail on how to handle system firmware. I'm still
undecided about this, so this patch is more of an RFC discussion than a
serious patch. Please comment.
Cc: Daniel Thompson <daniel.thompson(a)linaro.org>
Signed-off-by: Grant Likely <grant.likely(a)arm.com>
---
source/ebbr.rst | 58 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-----
1 file changed, 53 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)
diff --git a/source/ebbr.rst b/source/ebbr.rst
index 3998397..c24cef5 100644
--- a/source/ebbr.rst
+++ b/source/ebbr.rst
@@ -200,16 +200,64 @@ System Volume Format
The system firmware must support all partitioning standards required
by the UEFI specification.
-On systems where the system firmware binaries reside on the System Volume then
-the System Volume must be pre-configured with a partition table and include
-protective partitions to reduce risk of accidental destruction of the system
-firmware.
-
All pre-installed partition tables must use GPT partitioning unless
some immutable feature of the platform (such as a mask programmed boot ROM)
makes this impossible; on such platforms MBR partitioning may be
used as an alternative.
+System Firmware Partitions
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+On systems where the system firmware binaries reside on the System Volume then
+the System Volume must be pre-configured with a partition table and system
+firmware binaries.
+
+When system firmware is located at a fixed offset, It is strongly recommended
+for the partition table to include protective partitions covering the location
+of firmware to reduce risk of accidental destruction of the system firmware.
+
+System boot ROM should obtain the system firmware partition location
+by reading the partition table.
+Using a fixed offset into the storage media is deprecated and should
+not be used for new SoC designs.
+Future issues of this specification will disallow the use of fixed offsets.
+
+A system firmware partition should not also be used as a EFI System
+Partition (ESP).
+Pre-installed system firmware partitions must not use the ESP GUID,
+and OS installation tools should not install EFI executables in a system
+firmware partition.
+
+.. todo::
+
+ I'm not sure if this is a good idea. It might be that EBBR should define a
+ common GUID for system firmware partitions. It also might be that I'm worrying
+ too much and it is fine to use the ESP as a system firmware partition.
+ This TODO note is a bit of a discussion of the options.
+
+ Options:
+
+ - Require ESP and SFPs to be separate
+ - Should a common SFP GUID be defined so a single image can hold firmware
+ for multiple platforms?
+ - Don't have to repartition to add additional platforms.
+ - Yet repartitioning required to add the *first* platform
+ - Require FAT formatting?
+ - Probably also requires a vendor/soc/file pathname spec to avoid
+ conflicts.
+ - OS can mount the ESP without touching SFPs. This means firmware could
+ perform (mediated) operations on the SPF (ex. to update variables)
+ without unmounting the ESP.
+ - Downside: Requries at least two fixed sized partitions to boot the
+ platform: a SFP, and the ESP. A single combined SFP+ESP would be more
+ efficient on space.
+ - Allow ESP to be used as an SFP
+ - Downside: Partitioning/Install tools can't simply blank the ESP to reset
+ to scratch
+ - Upside: platform firmware can be added by simply dropping files
+ in the ESP
+ - Using the ESP filesystem is a more efficient use of space.
+ - Still need to define pathname spec to avoid conflicts
+
GPT partitioning
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
--
2.13.0
Currently EBBR contains nothing describing how systems that share
storage media between firmware and OS behave. Add a description
of how such as system can be robustly pre-partitioned.
Fixes: #3
Fixed: #8
Signed-off-by: Daniel Thompson <daniel.thompson(a)linaro.org>
---
Notes:
v2:
* Added patch description.
* Don't explicitly enumerate supported partitioning standards, defer
to UEFI instead (this implicitly adds MBR and el-torito support).
* Forbid hybrid GPT/MBR partitioning.
* Require that pre-configured protective partitions using GPT to
set the Platform Require Attribute Flag.
* Improve documentation the 1MB threshold for MBR
source/ebbr.rst | 47 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-
1 file changed, 46 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)
diff --git a/source/ebbr.rst b/source/ebbr.rst
index b6e48d6ac67d..39983974b1c1 100644
--- a/source/ebbr.rst
+++ b/source/ebbr.rst
@@ -197,7 +197,52 @@ virtualized service, by the hypervisor and not as part of the host firmware.
System Volume Format
--------------------
-The system firmware must support GPT partitioning.
+The system firmware must support all partitioning standards required
+by the UEFI specification.
+
+On systems where the system firmware binaries reside on the System Volume then
+the System Volume must be pre-configured with a partition table and include
+protective partitions to reduce risk of accidental destruction of the system
+firmware.
+
+All pre-installed partition tables must use GPT partitioning unless
+some immutable feature of the platform (such as a mask programmed boot ROM)
+makes this impossible; on such platforms MBR partitioning may be
+used as an alternative.
+
+GPT partitioning
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+Any pre-installed partition table must strictly conform to the UEFI
+specification and include a protective MBR authored exactly as
+described in UEFI specification (hybrid partitioning schemes are not
+permitted).
+
+Pre-installed protective partitions must have the Platform Required
+Attribute Flag set.
+
+It is recommended that automatic system disk partitioning utilities
+preserve Platform Required partitions as is, and that manual disk
+partitioning utilities provide warnings and/or other safe guards to
+reduce risk of accidental removal.
+
+MBR partitioning
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+Pre-installed protective partitions should have a partition type of 0xF8
+unless some immutable feature of the platform makes this impossible.
+
+It is recommended that disk partitioning utilities treat such
+partitions in the same manner as GPT partitions with the Platform
+Required Attribute Flag set.
+
+It is recommended that pre-installed protective partitions that are not
+type 0xF8 be located wholly within 1MB of the start of the disk.
+
+Automatic disk partitioning utilities shall not create partitions
+within 1MB of the start of the disk. Manual disk partitioning
+utilities should avoid recommending that partitions start within
+1MB of the start of the disk.
UEFI Boot Services
==================
--
2.17.0
Hello,
My notes on "requiring" (or strongly recommending) separate storage.
A couple of times we have gone around the issue of "is it reasonable to
require new platforms have separate storage for firmware".
Pros:
P1) No disk partition plan etc
P2) Runtime var storage is much easier
Cons:
C1) Cost
C2) Boot speed
C3) Board becomes "state full" and brick-able
C4) Need Buy-in from board makers
I hope we understand the pros so I won't go deep on those.
WRT C1 & C2: Cost & boot speed
Pocket Beagle ($25) has a 2Kx8 I2C EEPROM built into the SIP (system in
package). This allows a single binary SPL to boot from uSD on multiple
boards (PocketBeagle BBW, BBB, BBBlue, TI EVM, etc) as the EEPROM has
board ID info.
I looked for other low cost boards with dedicated firmware storage.
PINE A64-LTS ($32) and SOPINE ($30) have 16MB of SPI flash.
The original PINE A64 ($15) has no on board storage.
Are there other boards I should look at?
What would this look like if we put:
* SPL & vars only into SPI flash
* SPL & U-boot & vars into SPI flash
* SPL/U-boot or EDK2 + vars into QSPI
I assume 64KB for SPL, <500KB for SPL+Uboot, and 1MB for EDK2.
QSPI:
1MB $0.67
2MB $0.70
16MB $1.62 (PINE A64-LTS)
133MHz == 66MB/s
U-boot, 500KB in 7ms
EDK2, 1MB in 14ms
SPI:
128KB $0.28
1MB $0.33
104Mhz == 13MB/s
SPL only, 64KB in 5ms
U-boot, 500KB in 38ms
I2C:
ID only 256x8 $0.09
BBB etc 4Kx8 $0.13
32bytes @100KHz = 2.5ms
Note that on PocketBeagle the I2C cost is already baked into the SIP so
you can't subtract this cost from the cost of the SPI flash. This is a
legacy issue but does so that buy-in takes time to filter down.
Would a future SIP include an SPI flash? If you do then you need to fix
how big.
WRT C3: State-full and brickable
As long as the SOC supports multiple bootmodes and the board adds a
button or switch to select a recovery mode, this can be handled.
BeagleBone black boots from eMMC (which is brickable) but holding a
button at power up causes it to ignore everything in eMMC and boot form
uSD. The uSD in this recovery mode need not be EBBR compliant (but I
would like to allow it to be.)
PocketBeagle like board would need to add a jumper or similar.
C4: Board maker buy-in
Probably the biggest barrier. Must show value of EBBR on legacy boards
before people see the value. But if legacy works OK then why change?
Bill
----------------
William A. Mills
Chief Technologist, Open Solutions, SDO
Texas Instruments, Inc.
20450 Century Blvd
Germantown MD 20878
240-643-0836
Hi
At present, I don't see any specific hardware requirement for EBBR except ARMv8 CPU. Current document covers it very well.
IMO, we can deferred this ticket.
Thoughts ?
Regards
Udit
