Handle core boot files update on ARM

Registered by Ricardo Salveti

Currently the core boot files, like x-loader and u-boot, are picked during image creation, and there's no way to update them after a release, unless we respin another image. During Maverick's cycle it was proven that tools like x-loader are not stable, and it's normal to require software updates to fix bugs not easily solvable in the kernel level.

For Natty it'd be desirable to have a method to update the core boot files after the installation, on all supported ARM platforms (at least OMAP).

Blueprint information

Status:
Complete
Approver:
David Mandala
Priority:
High
Drafter:
Ricardo Salveti
Direction:
Approved
Assignee:
Jani Monoses
Definition:
Approved
Series goal:
Accepted for natty
Implementation:
Implemented
Milestone target:
None
Started by
Ricardo Salveti
Completed by
Jani Monoses

Related branches

Sprints

Whiteboard

Work Items: (natty-alpha-3):
[jani] Create a tool that is able to update the core boot files (added functionality to flash-kernel): DONE
[jani] Confirm if a GUI version of the tool is needed (not needed, notification will need to be GUI/console though): DONE
[jani] Check with NCommander how we can share the HW specific bits with other subarch detection tools like flash-kernel (the tool is part of flash-kernel so this is a given): DONE
[jani] Make sure the new tool is installed by default at our images: DONE
[jani] Create a wiki page describing the update procedure and what to do in case of problems (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ARM/BootloaderUpdate) : DONE

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Work Items