3 ms·

I think Oxide's computers don't use UEFI, but I don't know what they replaced it with. Since they are a Rust shop, maybe something written in Rust, but if not i

I think Oxide's computers don't use UEFI, but I don't know what they replaced it with. Since they are a Rust shop, maybe something written in Rust, but if not it would also be interesting to know and to know the reasons why.

delusional 3y ago
They have a custom bootloader https://github.com/oxidecomputer/phbl https://github.com/oxidecomputer/phbl that runs without AGESA or any of the normal stack of stuff. From their podcast it sounds like it was quite a bit of work to get it working.
- ciupicri 3y ago
  Yeah, if I remember correctly even AMD was amazed of what they did.
- pbronez 3y ago
  Oxide co-founder Jessie Frazelle published an ACM Queue article about the security advantages of open source firmware in 2019: https://queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?id=3349301 https://queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?id=3349301
p_l 3y ago
It works for them because they own the complete hardware stack, and boot only their hypervisor which is also something they control. TL;DR you can make it simple if you close the platform (this is not the same as open source Vs closed source) - open platforms end up developing complex interfaces so thatthey are actually open to end owners.
steveklabnik 3y ago
Others have already given good answers but also here’s a talk about this subject: https://www.osfc.io/2022/talks/i-have-come-to-bury-the-bios-not-to-open-it-the-need-for-holistic-systems/ https://www.osfc.io/2022/talks/i-have-come-to-bury-the-bios-...