Ron Minnich, the 'Godfather of Open Firmware,' discusses the complexities of DRAM training, the concept of quantum computing, testing system limits, the rise and fall of Miradat, the complexity of Broadcom SDK, stateless laptops, boot-not-brick in Open System firmware, UEFI in Linux and ARM systems, and the closing thoughts and credits.
The development and importance of open firmware in achieving a more efficient boot process and loading Linux kernels into RAM.
The challenges and need for simplicity in designing cluster systems and the tendency to paper over complexity with firmware drivers.
The balance between performance and complexity in network technologies, illustrated by the dominance of Ethernet over InfiniBand in the HPC market.
The significance of open firmware, user control, and the potential for reevaluating firmware and software practices in the face of evolving technology.
Deep dives
The Power of Open Firmware
The podcast episode explores the history and significance of open firmware with Ron Minick, known as the Godfather of Open Firmware. In the early 90s, Ron recognized the need for a more efficient boot process, leading to the birth of Open Firmware. He discusses the challenges faced in developing the C-based system that could load a Linux kernel into RAM and jump to it. Ron also emphasizes the importance of simplicity and the right abstractions in the success of Unix and Plan 9 operating systems.
Cluster of Linux BIOS Nodes
Ron shares his experience in building a cluster of Linux BIOS nodes called Pink. By implementing B-Prock, a fast and flexible boot system, they achieved boot times of two and a half minutes. However, the rapid booting eventually overwhelmed the network storage system. Despite the success, the cluster faced criticism for being too fast and causing problems. Ron highlights the need for simplicity in designing cluster systems and the tendency to paper over complexity with firmware drivers.
InfiniBand and Network Complexity
The complexity of InfiniBand, compared to Ethernet, is discussed, with Ron recalling his experience with Miracom. Despite Miracom's lower cost and higher performance, it faced challenges due to InfiniBand's growing popularity and increasing complexity. Eventually, Ethernet dominated the HPC market, as InfiniBand adopted Ethernet interfaces. The conversation highlights the balance between performance and complexity in network technologies.
Progress in Open Firmware
Despite the challenges, there is progress in the realm of open firmware. Intel recently released Ignition firmware for the management engine, representing a shift towards more transparent and compact firmware. The efforts of dedicated engineers are instrumental in pushing for open firmware and driving positive change within the industry.
Open Firmware and the Importance of User Control
The podcast episode explores the significance of open firmware and the ability for users to have control over their devices. The speaker mentions their experience in demonstrating the vulnerabilities in firmware many years ago and the lack of attention given to this issue at that time. They highlight the emergence of Chromebooks as examples of devices that prioritize user control and the use of open firmware. They also discuss the efforts of System76 in offering Linux laptops with open firmware and how this showcases the economic feasibility of such devices. The conversation shifts to the need to rethink the concept of a kernel and the possibilities of running kernels in M mode on RISC-V machines. The discussion touches upon the limitations of current processors and the potential for innovation with RISC-V. Overall, the episode emphasizes the need for user control and a reevaluation of firmware and software practices in the face of evolving technology.
Challenges in Open Source Hardware and RISC-V Innovations
The second part of the podcast episode focuses on the challenges and innovations related to open source hardware, particularly within the context of RISC-V processors. The speaker mentions the porting of UEFI to RISC-V and expresses disappointment in its adoption, claiming that Linux's preference for UEFI may be driving this decision. They highlight the negative implications of including a classic BIOS interface like OpenSPI and support for SMM mode, which echoes past mistakes. The speaker introduces Orbit, a project that aims to build an open firmware for RISC-V without using C code. They discuss the benefits of running kernels in M mode and the ongoing experiments in this area. The speaker also mentions OpenTitan and the potential for compiling Orbit for this platform. The episode concludes with a reflection on the future of processors, the potential for drastically simpler designs, and the importance of creative thinking when faced with constraints.
Hardware and Software Interfaces in the Age of Limits
The final part of the podcast episode delves into the evolving landscape of hardware and software interfaces, particularly in relation to the limitations imposed by Moore's Law and emerging hardware technologies. The speaker argues that the end of Moore's Law will force us to reevaluate our approaches to processors, favoring simpler designs over complex ones. They highlight the increasing possibilities for innovation with RISC-V processors, particularly as more fabrication nodes become available and the licensing costs decrease. The discussion also touches upon the importance of reimagining kernel design and the potential benefits of running kernels in M mode with user-mode paging. The episode ends by emphasizing how limitations can drive creativity and innovation, leading to healthier software and firmware ecosystems.
