Petitboot

Petitboot (Petitboot): OS bootloader implemented as a Linux userspace application using kexec. The Petitboot bootloader provides a boot menu and boots the chosen boot option using the Linux kernel's kexec functionality. Generally runs under Skiroot as part of the boot process.

Because Petitboot runs in a Linux environment, it is able to detect any storage devices or network adapters which are detected by the Linux kernel embedded in the firmware. This avoids the need to implement drivers for boot devices twice (once for Linux, once for a bootloader): if Linux can see it, you can boot it.

Petitboot is open source.

References

• Official project website
• Petitboot source code
• List of Linux kernel modules enabled for POWER9 Skiroot — this determines what devices can be seen and booted.