Architectures/AArch64/FoundationModelQuickStart

Aarch64 Quickstart Guide

This page will help those new to aarch64(armv8) get started the foundation model provided by ARM. The are a number of option available when using the model, including use of a disk image file or NFS root filesystem, as well as a choice of kernel if you would like to use Systemd or Busybox as the init process.

Download The Required Software

The first step will be to download the Foundation model from ARM, a stage4 root filesystem (image or tarball), the kernel package. In order to download the Foundation model you will need to create a free account with ARM.

• The Foundation Model
• The Kernel Package
• The root filestsystem TarballImage

Set up the Environment

Once you have downloaded the model, you will need to set up your environment. The model can extracted to a path of your choosing. Unpack the model

mkdir ~/aarch64
cd ~/aarch64
tar xvzf FM000-KT-00035-r0p8-44rel23.tgz

Rather than using the full path, create an alias for running the Foundation model

alias fv8="~/aarch64/Foundation_v8pkg/Foundation_v8"

Using the Model with an Image

After downloading the rootfs extract it to your '~/armv8' directory:

cd ~/aarch64
wget 
tar xvjf f19-stage4-rootfs.tar.bz2

With the kernels, rootfs in your working directory.

Systemd:
fv8 --image systemd-3.7-image-foundation.axf --block-device f19-stage4-rootfs.img --network=bridged
Busybox:
fv8 --image busybox-3.7-image-foundation.axf --block-device f19-stage4-rootfs.img --network=bridged

The model will take a few moments to start.

Using the model with an NFS root

Using the model through an NFS is recommended as it will allow the most flexibility when working with the system. It is important to use the paths provided as the kernel will expect the root file system to be mounted through NFS.

Extract the Root Filesystem

First you will need to create a directory for the root filesystem. It is important you use the same path in the example as the kernel expects the rootfs to be at the path noted.

mkdir -p /var/exports/aarch64/stage4-nfs-root
cd /var/exports/aarch64/
wget http://fedorapeople.org/groups/armv8/stage4-root-20130411.tar.xz
cd stage4-nfs-root
sudo tar xvJf ../stage4-root-20130411.tar.xz
sudo mv stage4-root-20130411/* .
sudo rm -rf stage4-root-20130411

• Now create an NFS share for the rootfs, edit /etc/exports

vi /etc/exports
/var/exports/aarch64/stage4-nfs-root *(rw,no_root_squash,no_all_squash,async)

• Start the service

sudo systemctl start nfs.service

Using the Model with an NFS root

You need to setup the network for use with the aarch64 model and the addressing used in the kernel arguments. Start the model using one of the following depending on if you would like to use systemd or busybox.

• Systemd:

fv8 --image systemd-3.7-nfs-foundation.axf --network=bridged

• Busybox:

fv8 --image busybox-3.7-nfs-foundation.axf --network=bridged

After starting the model you will see a new device created on your host system named 'ARM0', use the following to assign an IP address for use with the model:

sudo ifconfig ARM0 10.0.0.1 netmask 255.255.255.0

Once this adapter is assigned an IP address, the system should boot to either a login prompt or boot with busybox as the init process.