====== FreeBSD on the Raptor Blackbird ======

===== Overview =====

The [[https://www.raptorcs.com/content/BK1B01/intro.html|Blackbird]] from [[https://www.raptorcs.com|Raptor Computing Systems]] is a recent powerpc64 mainboard which started shipping 2019Q2.  More information can be found on the manufacturer's [[https://wiki.raptorcs.com/wiki/Blackbird|wiki page]].

This board uses a slightly different implementation than the [[https://www.raptorcs.com/content/TL2MB1/intro.html|Talos II]] mainboard.  The Talos II has been known to be usable with %%FreeBSD%% since late in 2018.

%%FreeBSD%% 12 and 13 boot and install correctly on this board.  pkg(8) and many common packages install without incident.

===== Status Outputs =====

From an early version of the board accessed remotely at Integricloud:

  * [[https://people.freebsd.org/~linimon/blackbird//blackbird_dmesg.txt|dmesg]]
  * [[https://people.freebsd.org/~linimon/blackbird//blackbird_ifconfig.txt|ifconfig]]
  * [[https://people.freebsd.org/~linimon/blackbird//blackbird_pciconf_lv.txt|pciconf -lv]]
  * [[https://people.freebsd.org/~linimon/blackbird//blackbird_usbconfig.txt|usbconfig]]

===== Notes on physical assembly =====

  * Start with the [[https://wiki.raptorcs.com/wiki/File:C1P9S01_users_guide_version_1_0.pdf|User's Guide]].

    * Pay careful attention to the locking pin picture in "CPU Installation and Removal".  You may have to insert a screwdriver to //gently// release the tension on these pins.  Do this **before** trying to insert the heatsink.

    * The User's Guide does not show an illustration of the back panel layout.  You simply "need to know" that the BMC Ethernet is the one **just above** the USB connectors.

===== Notes on booting and software installation =====

:!: Do **not** use the .img file; use the .iso file instead.

:!: This section needs to be rewritten to be less specific to remote booting 20190705 TODO

:!: If you are using the remote access at Integricloud, please contact [[/MarkLinimon|MarkLinimon]] for the actual numbers to use.  This requires getting permission from Raptor.

<code>
# ssh <YOUR_BMC_IP_ADDRESS>
</code>

Now you are ready to turn on the powerpc64 host (if you have not already) and speak to petitboot running there:

<code>
# obmcutil poweron
# obmc-console-client
</code>

After a delay, you should see the petitboot menu, which will look [[https://openpowerblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/screen-shot-2016-06-09-at-11-31-40-am.png|something like this]].  (Screenshot credit: Adi Gangidi's [[https://openpowerblog.wordpress.com/tag/petitboot/|OpenPower Blog]].)  The first block will be different.

Scroll down and select **Exit to shell**.  From the shell you can do:

<code>
# uname -a
Linux skiroot 4.19.0-openpower1 #2 SMP Fri May 3 17:05:52 UTC 2019 ppc64le GNU/Linux
</code>

Now you need to set up the host network access:

<code>
# ifconfig enP4p1s0f2 <YOUR_IP_ADDR> netmask 255.255.255.0 up
# route add default gw <YOUR_GW_ADDR>
# echo 'nameserver <YOUR_NAMESERVER_ADDR>'>/etc/resolv.conf
</code>

Note the trailing **f2** in the **ifconfig** command.  This will correspond to the %%FreeBSD%% device **bge2**.

Now download the %%FreeBSD%% powerpc64 ISO.  For this example, let's assume you have sufficient space on the host's flash drive, and have a USB stick inserted:

<code>
# cd /tmp
# scp <YOUR_USERID>@<YOUR_COMPUTER>:FreeBSD-13.0-CURRENT-powerpc-powerpc64-20190503-r347033-disc1.iso .
# dd if=FreeBSD-13.0-CURRENT-powerpc-powerpc64-20190503-r347033-disc1.iso of=/dev/XXX conv=osync,notrunc
</code>

:!: [[/MarkLinimon|MarkLinimon]] was having difficulty with the networking and thus used **scp**, but **wget** is probably preferable.

The above ISO was the latest snapshot available at the time via the [[http://ftp.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD/snapshots/powerpc/powerpc64/ISO-IMAGES/13.0/|official FreeBSD download]] site.  Use **disc1.iso** instead of the memstick image files.

Now type

<code>
# exit
</code>

to go back to the petitboot menu.  The first block should have changed: there should be a **%%FreeBSD%%** heading and a **%%FreeBSD%% %%<%%something>** entry underneath it.  If the menu did not change,
scroll down and select **Rescan devices**.  When the petitboot menu is displayed again, you should see the menu change.

Scroll down and select the **%%FreeBSD%% %%<%%something>** entry.

You should now be taken to the standard %%FreeBSD%% installer.  Once you are done installing, exit via rebooting.  You should see your %%FreeBSD%% installation boot..

When you are done testing:

<code>
freebsd # shutdown -p now
[...]
</code>

and you should be taken back to the BMC menu.

<code>
# obmcutil poweroff
#
</code>

and you are done.

===== Tips and Tricks =====

  * If you want to use the Blackbird as a desktop (e.g. with a video monitor / not headless), you have to make your choice of boot image using the VGA monitor, **not** via remote.  Per [[/JustinHibbits|JustinHibbits]]:
    * ofwcons will only attach if it's started from VGA.
    * or you can apply the patch in [[https://reviews.freebsd.org/D15818|D15818]].

----

{{tag>HowTo}}