FIRST POWERPC OPEN FIRMWARE ROM IMPLEMENTATIONS AVAILABLE FROM FIRMWORKS
* Open Firmware for PowerPC (and other processors)
* FCode drivers for plug-in cards
* Open Firmware ports to specific platforms
* Open Firmware bring-up support
* Open Firmware training
* Open Firmware consulting
FirmWorks
The Open Firmware Source
+1 (415) 917-0100
Email: ppc-news@firmworks.com
Open Firmware, specified by IEEE Standard 1275-1994, is the first
non-proprietary, open-standard boot firmware that is usable on different
processors and buses. Architected to provide true "plug and play"
capability, Open Firmware is the choice of the PowerPC Reference Platform
Specification and the new Common Hardware Reference Platform. Open Firmware
is also included in the PCI Local Bus Specification as an alternative to
platform-dependent x86 BIOS drivers. Finally, Open Firmware is derived from
Sun Microsystems's OpenBoot(tm) firmware, an implementation field proven for
over 6 years in over a million machines.
FirmWorks was founded by Mitch Bradley, the principle architect of Open
Firmware. FirmWorks's goal is to encourage the adoption of Open FirmWare by
providing support for the technology to the industry at large. So, whether
you are a system manufacturer or an add-in card manufacturer, FirmWorks is
ready to help you to adopt Open Firmware successfully.
Open Firmware includes a processor-independent "device interface" that
enables an add-in peripheral card to identify itself and to supply a single
boot driver that can be used, unchanged, on any CPU using Open
Firmware. Open Firmware also includes a "user interface" with powerful
scripting and debugging capabilities, and a "client program interface" that
enables operating systems and their loaders to make use of Open Firmware
services to assist in the configuration and initialization process. These
features can:
* Speed your firmware development process by standardizing your firmware and
reducing the number of drivers that need to be written.
* Speed your hardware development process by providing a simple, yet
powerful and flexible, environment for initial system bring-up and for
diagnostic creation and use.
* Enhance the user-friendliness of your systems by providing true "plug and
play" capability.
* Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of your manufacturing and field
service groups by providing powerful, standardized diagnostics and tools.
To decrease your time-to-market, FirmWorks can help you deploy and make
effective use of Open Firmware technology with the following products and
services.
> Power Firmware(tm)
Power Firmware is a complete Open Firmware ROM implementation for
PowerPC systems that complies with:
* IEEE Standard 1275-1994
* PowerPC Binding to IEEE Standard 1275-1994
* PCI Bus Binding to IEEE Standard 1275-1994
* PowerPC Reference Platform Specification
Power Firmware supports:
* 601, 603 and 604 Processors
* PCI, ISA and other buses
* NT, AIX, Mac OS, Solaris
The core technology of Power Firmware is the Forth interactive programming
language. Power Firmware uses a small, fast, efficient Forth micro-kernel
enabling powerful, interactive debugging and automated system
configuration. This mature code, available now, is based on a
field-proven implementation and can be easily ported to your specific
system architecture. Object code distribution and source code licenses
are available on attractive terms.
Features:
* Provides machine-independent configuration and booting support for
plug-in devices.
* Provides a framework for plug-in drivers so that user-installed
peripherals work "out-of-the-box".
* Provides a standard set of firmware functions for use by "client
programs": operating systems, loaders, diagnostics, etc.
* Provides complete run-time configuration information to client programs.
* Contains a full ANS Forth interpreter for interactive programming,
debugging and configuration.
* Off-the-shelf drivers are available for many commonly-used devices.
* Custom drivers can be created on a turn-key basis.
> Other Open Firmware implementations
In addition to our PowerPC Open Firmware products, FirmWorks also has Open
Firmware implementations for numerous other CPUs. If your company
supports multiple processor families, Open Firmware can provide a
consistent firmware environment across your product line, decreasing your
training and support costs while increasing user friendliness.
> Off-the-shelf and custom FCode drivers for PCI/ISA peripheral cards.
If you would like to expand the market of your x86 PCI design to the Power
Macintosh marketplace, FirmWorks can help by producing a custom driver
for you.
> Training
For those companies that wish to develop in-house Open Firmware
capabilities, FirmWorks offers classes in the following areas:
* IEEE Standard 1275-1994
* Forth language
* Open Firmware porting
* Writing Open Firmware drivers
* Manufacturing diagnostic use
* Field service diagnostic use
Classes can be held at our site or yours. And, we are always happy to
discuss custom crafting a class to your specficiations.
> Open Firmware Documentation
FirmWorks provides the following publications:
* Writing FCode Programs for PCI
Adapted from Sun Microsystems's "Writing FCode Programs", this manual
has been completely updated to conform to IEEE Standard 1275-1994, and
explains the theory and practice of writing FCode drivers. (For a more
complete description, please see our ad in the Computer Bookstore.)
* Open Firmware Command Reference
Available soon, this manual is adapted from Sun Microsystems's "OpenBoot
Command Reference". It is a complete reference to the Open Firmware
command set and provides tricks and tips for using an Open Firmware
system.
* Open Firmware Quick Reference Guide
A companion to the "Open Firmware Command Reference", this handy,
16-sided quick reference guide is printed on heavy card stock and is
perfect for use in the lab! Available soon.
> Cross-Platform Developer's Kit for Open Firmware Device Drivers for PCI
FirmWorks's Open Firmware Device Driver Developer's Kit enables development
of Open Firmware drivers targeted for the Power Macintosh and other
PowerPC-based systems using PCI peripherals. This kit enables driver
development prior to the availability of the ultimate target system.
This developer's kit includes:
* A complete Open Firmware implementation (including "device", "user" and
"client program" interfaces) that runs over MS-DOS.
* A 486DX-33 PCI PC loaded with all required software, pre-configured, and
ready to be connected to your Mac/PC/workstation over an RS-232 serial
link. (This test bed neither includes nor requires a keyboard or
monitor.)
* An FCode tokenizer.
* A source-level debugger.
* Complete documentation.
Features:
* Enables development of PCI drivers for PowerMac/PowerPC without
requiring a target system.
* Provides a complete Open Firmware implementation with all of the
development power implied therein.
* Hassle-free set up. The test bed hardware and software come completely
configured, tested, and ready to run.
* Provides a great debugging environment for PCI hardware too!
System Requirements:
A Mac/PC/workstation with an RS-232 serial port and terminal emulation
software (e.g. MacTerminal, Windows Terminal, ProComm Plus, UNIX tip).
Price:
$2000 plus tax, shipping and handling.
> Bring-up assistance with new systems.
Let our trained staff demonstrate the power of Forth in the development
lab! If you are currently trapped in the edit-compile-link-download cycle
associated with developing hardware diagnostics in other high-level
languages, you owe it to yourself to experience the increased productivity
of the highly interactive, readily extensible Forth environment!
> Architectural advice regarding your new designs.
Except as noted, all of our standard products are available now. For custom
products/support, please call us to discuss how we might meet your
requirements.
For More Information:
Please feel free to contact us directly by phone, fax, email or mail at the
following numbers and addresses:
FirmWorks
Suite 230
480 San Antonio Road
Mountain View, CA 94040-1218
Tel: +1 (415) 917-0100
Fax: +1 (415) 917-6990
ppc-news@firmworks.com
In addition, FirmWorks provides an anonymous ftp server which currently
contains the following descriptive and pricing information:
ftp://ftp.firmworks.com/pub/open_firmware/literature:
ofdesc.ps - A description of Open Firmware and of FirmWorks's Open
Firmware products (6 page "white paper")
dev_kit.ps - "Cross-platform Developer's Kit for Open Firmware Device
Drivers for PCI" Product Description
of-cnslt.ps - Open Firmware System ROM and Device Driver Consultants
Services Description
pci-book.ps - "Writing FCode Drivers for PCI" Product Description and
Order Form
power-fw.ps - "Power Firmware(tm)" Product Description
ftp://ftp.firmworks.com/pub/open_firmware/price_lists:
ofprice.ps - IEEE Standard 1275 Open Firmware License/Royalty Price List
fmonpric.ps - ForthMon ROM Monitor Firmware License/Royalty Price List
svcprice.ps - Services Price List
As the filenames imply, these are all PostScript files that should print out
properly on any PostScript printer.
OpenBoot is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Power Firmware is a trademark of FirmWorks.
Other product names mentioned may be trademarks of their respective owners.
See also FirmWorks book - text item 8506) - WRITING FCODE PROGRAMS FOR PCI