Coreboot 24.08 Released: A New Era of Open Source Firmware

Coreboot, the open-source firmware project aiming to replace proprietary BIOS/firmware on numerous platforms, has released its latest version, 24.08. This release boasts over 900 patches contributed by 130+ developers, showcasing the ongoing commitment to support new motherboards and enhance existing functionality.

Enhanced Security and Functionality

Coreboot 24.08 introduces several key improvements, prioritizing security and functionality:

• SMI Handler Overflow Mitigation: New functions are introduced to effectively address potential overflows within SMI handlers, enhancing system stability and security.

• Flattened Device Tree (FDT) Enhancements: New helper functions are added for FDT, making it easier to manage and configure device trees.

• Expanded WiFi Driver Capabilities: Coreboot's WiFi driver now supports Bluetooth Regulator Domain Settings, increasing the scope of supported devices. Additionally, the PS/2 keyboard driver gains support for Do Not Disturb and Accessibility keys, improving user experience.

LeanEFI Payload for Seamless Transition

A new payload, LeanEFI, is introduced with Coreboot 24.08. This payload acts as a translator between Coreboot and UEFI, bridging the gap between the two firmware environments. LeanEFI takes Coreboot tables and converts them to UEFI interfaces, enabling compatibility with platforms like LinuxBoot. While LeanEFI is designed for efficiency, it doesn't support all EFI features, such as EFI variables.

Autoport Improvements and New Motherboard Support

Coreboot 24.08 also brings significant updates to its Autoport tool, streamlining the process of porting Coreboot to new platforms.

Here are some of the notable additions:

• LibPayload x86_64 Support: Improved support for x86_64 architecture in LibPayload enhances compatibility and performance.

• HDA Decoder Utility: The new hda-decoder utility allows dumping decoded HDA default configuration registers, simplifying hardware configuration.

• SMBIOS Tables for ARM64: Support for SMBIOS tables has been extended to ARM64 platforms, improving hardware identification and compatibility.

• WiFi 7 Enablement: Coreboot now supports WiFi 7 (802.11be) technology, enabling the use of the latest high-speed wireless networks.

• Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) Mitigation: The WiFi driver now includes support for RFI mitigation, enhancing wireless network stability and performance.

Broadened Hardware Support

Coreboot 24.08 demonstrates its growing reach by expanding support for a wide range of new motherboards, including:

• Google Chromebooks: As usual, new Google Chromebook designs receive Coreboot support, extending the platform's reach.

• ASRock Motherboards: Several older ASRock motherboards are now enabled, providing users with more options.

• Intel Reference Motherboards: Two Intel reference motherboards gain Coreboot support, simplifying development and testing.

• Star Labs Lite Mk V: The Star Labs Lite Mk V (N200) is now supported, expanding Coreboot's reach into the embedded computing space.

• System76 Laptops: System76's addw4, darp10, darp10-b, and oryp12 laptops are now supported, providing open-source firmware options for popular Linux-based laptops.

This expanded motherboard support demonstrates Coreboot's commitment to providing open-source firmware solutions for a diverse range of devices.

Looking Ahead: Future Expansion and Development

Coreboot 24.08 also lays the foundation for future growth and development. Initial work on Intel Panther Lake SoC support and Mediatek MT8196 SoC support has begun, expanding Coreboot's compatibility with even newer hardware.

Coreboot 24.08: A Milestone for Open-Source Firmware

Coreboot 24.08 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of open-source firmware. This release demonstrates the ongoing commitment to security, functionality, and compatibility. With its expanded hardware support and enhanced features, Coreboot continues to provide a compelling alternative to proprietary BIOS/firmware, offering users more control and flexibility.