x86_64 EFI boot support: EFI boot document

[safe/jmp/linux-2.6] / Documentation / x86_64 / uefi.txt

diff --git a/Documentation/x86_64/uefi.txt b/Documentation/x86_64/uefi.txt
new file mode 100644 (file)
index 0000000..91a98ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Documentation/x86_64/uefi.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+General note on [U]EFI x86_64 support
+-------------------------------------
+
+The nomenclature EFI and UEFI are used interchangeably in this document.
+
+Although the tools below are _not_ needed for building the kernel,
+the needed bootloader support and associated tools for x86_64 platforms
+with EFI firmware and specifications are listed below.
+
+1. UEFI specification:  http://www.uefi.org
+
+2. Booting Linux kernel on UEFI x86_64 platform requires bootloader
+   support. Elilo with x86_64 support can be used.
+
+3. x86_64 platform with EFI/UEFI firmware.
+
+Mechanics:
+---------
+- Build the kernel with the following configuration.
+       CONFIG_FB_EFI=y
+       CONFIG_FRAMEBUFFER_CONSOLE=y
+- Create a VFAT partition on the disk
+- Copy the following to the VFAT partition:
+       elilo bootloader with x86_64 support, elilo configuration file,
+       kernel image built in first step and corresponding
+       initrd. Instructions on building elilo  and its dependencies
+       can be found in the elilo sourceforge project.
+- Boot to EFI shell and invoke elilo choosing the kernel image built
+  in first step.