[coreboot] Patch merged into coreboot/master: e4fc528 Add the memory reference code binary for sandybridge chipsets

[Luc Verhaegen]

On Tue, Apr 17, 2012 at 02:07:48PM +0200, Peter Stuge wrote:
> Luc Verhaegen wrote:
> > > I still believe that we the coreboot community can create more
> > > innovative init code, as we have done for a decade already, but
> > > someone has to do it. So far I don't know of significant effort to
> > > create Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge memory controller init, but if one
> > > is underway then once it is done I would suggest using that by
> > > default, and relegating the MRC to an expert Kconfig option.
> > 
> > you just committed a binary blob to a free software project, a
> > free software project that used to take pride in providing the
> > functionality that that binary blob now provides.
> 
> Please read what I wrote above. Focus obviously remains the same
> for coreboot.
> 
> A fact is that there is no commit in Gerrit for native memory
> controller init for the particular hardware.
> 
> When there is one, as I wrote, then I'll be the first to want to
> replace the MRC binary.
> 
> What the MRC does on a high level is well-known. The DDR3 JESD is
> available to anyone and everyone. If Intel desperately wants to
> hide some registers for now then I really could not care less.
> 
> I do however care a lot about the fact that coreboot can be used on
> Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge platforms now.
> 
> 
> coreboot does, and should, take pride in the hardware init done with
> native code, because the init gets done really well. This is
> obviously still true for all parts of coreboot which run before and
> after the MRC, where the resource allocator is no small part.
> 
> I agree that coreboot memory init, especially with ECC, has merit,
> but I don't think it's the pride of coreboot.
> 
> As you know, the MRC binary is quite specific to the platform, so
> it's not at all true that the MRC has taken over a function that
> other code in coreboot was already doing, as you make it sound.
> 
> I would really like to see native init code for the memory controller
> so please push to Gerrit if you have it, even if it's only in an
> early stage!
> 
> 
> //Peter

That still has _you_ going around the people who were discussing this 
patch and the outcome of that discussion.

Luc Verhaegen.