====== Das U-Boot Bootloader ======

Das U-Boot (or just "U-Boot" for short) is an Open Source Firmware project for PowerPC, ARM, MIPS, x86 and Blackfin processors (to name a few!).  The main U-Boot project is hosted on [[http://www.denx.de/wiki/U-Boot|denx's website]].

The [[bf>project/u-boot/frs|source]] and [[bf>project/u-boot|documentation]] on our site is specific to the Blackfin processor.  We try to keep things up to date, and periodically submit patches back to the mainline project.  If you have questions about the Blackfin port of U-Boot, you can ask on our [[bf>project/u-boot/forum|U-Boot forums]].

Make sure you use the source code from the [[bf>project/u-boot|Blackfin U-Boot project]] rather than from upstream.

==== Basics ====

For some basics about U-Boot, please check:
  * [[.:u-boot:features|Features Overview]]
  * [[.:u-boot:platforms|Supported Platforms and Processors]]
  * [[.:u-boot:booting methods|Supported Booting Methods]]
  * [[.:u-boot:uimage|Bootable U-Boot Images]]
  * [[.:u-boot:faq|Frequently Asked Questions]]

==== Building and Loading U-Boot ====

  * [[.:u-boot:loading|Loading U-Boot]] - for when your board is bricked or lacks U-Boot
  * [[.:u-boot:upgrading|Upgrading U-Boot]] - for when you already have U-Boot on your board
  * [[.:u-boot:compiling|Compiling U-Boot]] - building U-Boot all by yourself!
  * [[.:u-boot:customizing|Customizing U-Boot]] - add/remove U-Boot features
  * [[.:u-boot:porting|Porting U-Boot]] - port U-Boot to a new Blackfin board
  * [[.:u-boot:memory-layout|U-Boot Memory Layout]] - how U-Boot utilizes memory
  * [[.:u-boot:debugging|Debugging U-Boot]] - debug U-Boot problems
  * [[.:u-boot:env|U-Boot Environment]] - dynamic settings via environmental variables

==== Networking ====
  * [[.:u-boot:dhcp|DHCP]] - obtaining network information automatically
  * [[.:u-boot:network-config|Network Configuration]] - setting network information manually
  * [[.:u-boot:netconsole|Network Console]]

==== Loading Files ====
  * [[.:u-boot:tftp_loading_files|via Ethernet and TFTP]]
  * [[.:u-boot:serial_port_loading_files|via the Serial Port]]
  * [[.:u-boot:parallel-flash|Parallel NOR Flash]]
  * [[.:u-boot:serial-flash|Serial NOR Flash]]
  * [[.:u-boot:nand-flash|NAND Flash]]
  * [[:using_cf_flash_card_disk_with_u-boot_and_linux_kernel|CF Flash Cards]]
  * Using [[.:u-boot:mmc|MMC/SDIO]] Cards
  * Using [[.:u-boot:usb|USB]] Mass Storage Class (Memory sticks and hard drives)

==== Working Directly With Busses ====
  * [[.:u-boot:GPIO]]
  * [[.:u-boot:I2C]]
  * [[.:u-boot:MII]] (Media Independent Interface connecting Ethernet MACs and PHYs)
  * [[.:u-boot:SPI]]

==== Development Plan ====
  * [[.:u-boot:plan|Development Plan]]
  * [[.:u-boot:testing|Release Testing]]
  * [[.:u-boot:release-notes|Release Notes]]