How to boot Linux with initramfs loaded by dfu-util (without manual U-Boot commands)?

[Nikolai_Navrotski]

Hello ST Community,

I am working with an STM32MP2-based board and would like to load an initramfs image into DDR RAM using dfu-util and then boot it without having to manually enter U-Boot commands.

I have tried to follow the documentation, specifically:

• How to load U-Boot with dfu-util
• How to execute a U-Boot script via DFU

Here are my observations:

• When using a flashlayout, after transferring the images, U-Boot does not boot the kernel automatically — it stops at the U-Boot prompt and waits for manual commands.
• When using a U-Boot script (as described in the documentation), I am able to transfer artifacts for ramfs in DFU mode, but when I attempt to load the kernel (alt=0), the process hangs: and after about 30 seconds to 1 minute the board resets itself (as if by a hard reset).
• I have tried both compressed (Image.gz) and uncompressed (Image) kernel images, with the same result.

My questions:

• Is it possible to load and boot a Linux kernel with initramfs in RAM using dfu-util, so that the system boots automatically without manual U-Boot interaction?
• If so, could you please clarify the correct procedure, or point out what I might be doing wrong?

Any advice, example scripts, or working flashlayouts would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance for your help.

Best regards,

Nikolai

[Nikolai_Navrotski · Accepted solution]

Hello ST Community,

I managed to solve the issue. The problem was caused by incorrect RAM addresses in the DFU alternate settings.

Adding the following line to my U-Boot defconfig fixed it:

CONFIG_DFU_ALT_RAM0="uImage ram 0x84000000 0x2000000;devicetree.dtb ram 0x86000000 0x100000;uramdisk.image.gz ram 0x86400000 0x10000000"