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