Cavium's %%ThunderX%% platform is the primary reference target for the %%FreeBSD%%/arm64 port.

===== FreeBSD installation via UEFI USB flash stick (memstick) boot =====

The standard [[https://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/bsdinstall.html|bsdinstall instructions]] apply to %%ThunderX%%. Support was introduced as of %%FreeBSD%% 11.0-ALPHA5.
Note that only available installation media is memstick (no cd, dvd, etc.).

It is recommended that a USB 3.0 flash stick be used.

:!: Some or all UEFI firmware versions have a bug where the USB flash stick may not boot after cold start. If this occurs perform a warm reset and the system should then boot properly. Wiki page to be updated with specific version information once there is a confirmed fix.

===== Network booting FreeBSD on Cavium ThunderX =====
  - Install a supported network interface card (see below)
  - Build the world and kernel, and install to an NFS-exported location
  - Configure a TFTP server to provide loader.efi
  - Boot the %%ThunderX%% and break to the boot selection menu
  - Add a new entry to boot from TFTP on the PCIe NIC.
    * Configure the “Use DHCP”, “TFTP Server IP address” and “loader.efi location” settings as appropriate for your environment.
    * Answer YES for “is the application an OS loader.” Leave “loader.efi arguments” empty.

==== Supported UEFI network interface cards ====
=== PCIe ===
  * Intel 82572EI
  * Intel 82574L
=== USB ===
A USB network adapter must be installed in the //bottom// USB slot. The top slot is connected to the BMC.
  * ASIX AX88772B
    * Olimex https://www.amazon.com/Olimex-USB-ETHERNET-AX88772B-ethernet-adaptor-AX88772B/dp/B00LYUSRRI
    * Monoprice http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=9466 (waiting on confirmation)