debian-installer for Arm EBBR systems
Hello,
We have an issue installing Debian on some EBBR (Embedded Base Boot Requirements) based systems. Specifically, on EBBR platforms, UEFI SetVariable() is not required at runtime[1] (it is, however, required for boot time services). So, from within Linux, efibootmgr may not work for the end-user; but EFI applications that employ boot time services, would be able to set boot variables.
When working through a Debian install, one workaround we have is to "Execute a shell" when the GRUB install phase throws an error, and then:
# chroot /target
# update-grub
# mkdir /boot/efi/EFI/BOOT
# cp -v /boot/efi/EFI/debian/grubaa64.efi /boot/efi/EFI/BOOT/bootaa64.efi
Before continuing with the rest of the install.
The question from our side is; would it be possible to please put some sort of workaround for EBBR systems into the Debian install logic if EFI SetVariable() fails? For example, a bootaa64.efi could be placed on the target system in the removable path that is either: 1) a copy of grub, or 2) could be an EFI utility that sets the Debian EFI boot variable?
Cheers,
--
Steve Capper
[1] - https://arm-software.github.io/ebbr/#id21 - Table 2.6 EFI_RUNTIME_SERVICES Implementation Requirements
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