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Cavium's ThunderX platform is the primary reference target for the FreeBSD/arm64 port.
FreeBSD installation via USB flash stick (memstick) boot (UEFI)
The standard bsdinstall instructions apply to ThunderX. Note that only available installation media is memstick (no cd, dvd, etc.).
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
- Monoprice http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=9466 (waiting on confirmation)