Coreboot Training Course

1. Introduction to Coreboot

• Understanding Coreboot fundamentals.
• Comparison between BIOS, UEFI, and Coreboot.
• Coreboot architecture and core design principles.
• Benefits and constraints of open-source firmware.
• Supported platforms and hardware compatibility.

2. Getting Started with Coreboot

• Preparing 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

• Directory structure and project organization.
• Key configuration files.
• Board-specific implementations.
• Support for mainboards, chipsets, CPUs, and SoCs.
• Configuration via Kconfig and menuconfig.

4. Configuring and Building Coreboot

• Selecting a target platform.
• Configuring firmware settings.
• Payload selection and configuration.
• Constructing a Coreboot image.
• Verifying build outputs.
• Adhering to best practices for firmware configuration.

5. Testing Coreboot with QEMU

• Introduction to firmware emulation.
• Executing Coreboot within QEMU.
• Validating the boot process.
• Troubleshooting startup issues.
• Safely testing configuration changes.

6. Firmware Components and Boot Process

• Coreboot initialization stages.
• The ROM stage.
• The RAM stage.
• Resource allocation mechanisms.
• Payload loading procedures.
• Overview of the boot flow.
• Understanding CBFS (Coreboot File System).

7. Payloads and Bootloaders

• Defining payloads.
• SeaBIOS.
• U-Boot.
• Overview of Tianocore/EDK II.
• Selecting the appropriate payload.
• Booting operating systems with Coreboot.

8. Coreboot in Practice

• Coreboot integration with ChromeOS.
• Applications in embedded systems.
• Use cases for servers and workstations.
• Security advantages.
• Performance considerations.
• Firmware update strategies.

9. Troubleshooting and Debugging

• Interpreting Coreboot logs.
• Serial console debugging techniques.
• Addressing common build errors.
• Resolving hardware compatibility issues.
• Recovering from failed firmware flashes.
• Essential debugging tools and methods.

10. Hands-on Lab and Summary

• Building a Coreboot image.
• Testing the firmware in QEMU.
• Modifying a basic configuration.
• Exploring boot logs.
• Review of key concepts.
• Questions and answers session.
• Next steps and additional learning resources.