Bootloader

A bootloader is typically used in Embedded computers and is responsible for the following:

• DRAM controller configuration
• launching the Operating System. For Linux this means:
  • loading the kernel from storage media (flash, mmc, network, sata, etc)
  • loading the device-tree-blob (dtb) from storage media (for kernels and boards that use device-tree)
  • loading a ramdisk from storage media (optional - typically the kernel is passed parameters that instead will mount a rootfs)
• enough low-level chip configuration necessary to do the above
• any other early chip configuration necessary that may not handled by the Operating System

Some typical examples of bootloaders that Gateworks uses:

• U-Boot (used on Ventana, Rincon, and Laguna)
• Redboot (used on Avila, and Cambria)

See also:

• Ventana U-Boot Bootloader
• Laguna U-Boot bootloader
• Rincon U-Boot bootloader
• Cambria Redboot bootloader
• Avila Redboot bootloader