ChromiumOS architecture porting guide

Introduction

So you decided that the existing cpu architectures (Intel's x86_64/i686 and ARM's 32-bit arm) platforms weren't up to the task for your next system? Instead, you opted for some magical and new architecture? What you desire is possible, but you should buckle up and prepare for a bumpy ride!

Various Upstream Projects

Keep in mind that ChromiumOS is based on a lot of upstream projects that we have not authored. That means you can't really get by with just porting Chromium OS and forgetting about the rest.

For example, your architecture must already be supported by (at least):

• Binutils
• GCC
• GDB
• Glibc (sorry, but alternative C libraries are not currently supported e.g. uClibc)
• Linux kernel
  • Must have CONFIG_MMU=y (if you don't know what this means, then you most likely have one, and can thus disregard)

This is just the tip of the iceberg. If you're missing any of these pieces, then you've got a lot of work ahead of you. Come visit us once you've gotten those sorted out.

Existing Gentoo Support

ChromiumOS is based on Gentoo. Hopefully you've selected a processor that they already support (they support many already). You can find the current list here: http://sources.gentoo.org/profiles/arch.list

Find what you're looking for? Great! Life will be much easier and you should move on to the next section.

Your architecture not listed there? Sorry! You're first going to have to coordinate with the Gentoo maintainers in porting to your architecture. Come visit us once you've gotten those sorted out.

ChromiumOS Pieces

More To Come!