Ubuntu 16.04 installation instructions for Cavium ThunderX CRB

Before You Begin

You will need the following:

1. Cavium THUNDERX 1-Socket or 2-socket Customer Reference Board (ver 2.x chips)
2. A management device for console access
3. DHCP available which will provide Internet access (to access the Ubuntu package archive)

4. A TFTP Server accessible from the system

5. Boards should have following firmware components :

   • UEFI version: AMI Aptio Label 11 (released May 12 2016 ) or newer

   • BDK: thunder-release-v1.21.3, Built: Fri Mar 25 21:43:49 UTC 2016 or newer

   • ATF: v0.3(release):ThunderX-Firmware-Release-1.21.3-0-g62adead or newer

   • EDK2: ThunderX-Firmware-Release-1.21.3-0-g1dfddd6, Mar 25 2016, 12:54:31 or newer

   • BMC Firmware : 1scrb_82693_20150901.ima or newer

   • CPLD image: version 0xd or newer for 1socket CRB, 0x8 or newer for 2 socket CRB

6. NOTE: It is very important to ensure you are running with recommended levels of firmware described above. Other wise Ubuntu installation may not work. Please contact your Cavium representative if you are unable to confirm or need help upgrading to the recommended firmware versions

Ubuntu 16.04 Installation Instructions

Since ThunderX CRBs are UEFI based, they can be installed using the same instructions as a typical UEFI server. Please refer to ARM/Server/Install/UEFI-ARM for further details.