Re: Net Boot with a PowerPC MPC860

[Ken Yap <ken@nhj.nlc.net.au>]

>Hello All,
>
>I visited the web sites for NILO, Etherboot and Netboot and found that "only"
>Intel version of these wonderful programs exist here. I need a minimal versio
>n
>of this software for PowerPC, and am ready to work and port the existing
>software, but if the work is already done...
>
>So, can anybody tell me where can i find a version of a net boot program that
>would execute on a PowerPC target ?
>
>I am new to this list, so i beg your pardon if the subject was discussed 
>recently.
>
>	Raphael

I'm not aware of any PowerPC bootrom software. Have you checked that
the PowerPC doesn't already have network load capability in the ROM
like Sun workstations do? Also a lot will depend on what network card
you have on the PowerPC.

If you intend to port existing software you will probably have to find
the answer to these questions and more:

1. How will the boot rom be activated? On Intel PCs, there is an extension
BIOS mechanism. The PowerPC will probably have something different.

2. How will the network card be controlled? I assume it's on the PCI
bus and you can use I/O or memory mapped I/O instrucions on it.

3. Can you borrow code for your network hardware from somewhere?

4. Hardware-wise, how will you put the ROM on board?

After that it's just a matter of writing the software and fixing any
endian or architecture problems :-)

All the best and please keep us informed if you write something.