Set Up EDK2 on Linux: A Step-by-Step Guide
Welcome to SecureMyByte! In this guide, we’ll walk through the process of setting up the EDK2 development environment on a Linux system. Whether you’re a firmware enthusiast or a security professional, this guide will get you started with EDK2 in no time. Let’s dive in!
Prerequisites
Before diving into the setup process for EDK2, it’s essential to ensure that your system meets the necessary hardware and software requirements. This will help avoid any potential issues and ensure a smooth setup experience.
System Requirements
Hardware Requirements
- Processor: A modern 64-bit processor (Intel or AMD).
- Memory (RAM): At least 8 GB of RAM is recommended. For a smoother experience and more complex builds, 16 GB or more is preferred.
- Storage: At least 40 GB of free disk space to accommodate the EDK2 source code, build tools, and other dependencies.
Software Requirements
- Operating System: A 64-bit Linux distribution. Popular and well-supported choices include:
- Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or later: Provides a stable and widely used environment.
- Kali Linux
- Linux Mint
Before we begin, make sure to check the following resources for detailed instructions and additional information:
Step 1: Install Required Packages
First, we need to install some essential packages. Open your terminal and run the following command:
command:
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sudo apt install build-essential uuid-dev iasl git nasm python-is-python3 |
Step 2: Set Up the EDK2 Source Directory
Next, create a directory for the EDK2 source code and clone the repository:
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mkdir ~/src cd ~/src git clone https://github.com/tianocore/edk2 |
Step 3: Initialize Submodules
Initialize the EDK2 submodules by running the following commands:
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cd ~/src/edk2 git submodule update --init git submodule update --init --recursive |
Step 4: Compile Build Tools
Navigate to the EDK2 directory and compile the BaseTools:
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cd ~/src/edk2 sudo make -C BaseTools |
Step 5: Handle Submodule Brotli Error (if any)
If you encounter any issues with the Brotli submodule, reinitialize the submodules and set up the environment:
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git submodule update --init --recursive sudo ./edksetup.sh |
Step 6: Build the EDK II BaseTools
Now, build the EDK II BaseTools:
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cd ~/src/edk2 sudo make -C BaseTools |
Step 7: Set Up the Build Shell Environment
Configure the build environment by exporting the necessary paths and running the setup scripts:
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cd ~/src/edk2 export EDK_TOOLS_PATH=$HOME/src/edk2/BaseTools sudo ./edksetup.sh source edksetup.sh build |
Step 8: Configure Build Target Information
Edit the Conf/target.txt
file to set up the build target information. Open the file in your preferred text editor and make the following changes:
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#ACTIVE_PLATFORM = OvmfPkg/OvmfPkgX64.dsc ACTIVE_PLATFORM = ZZZZ/bootx64.dsc TARGET = DEBUG TARGET_ARCH = X64 TOOL_CHAIN_CONF = Conf/tools_def.txt TOOL_CHAIN_TAG = GCC5 # MAX_CONCURRENT_THREAD_NUMBER = 1 BUILD_RULE_CONF = Conf/build_rule.txt |
Conclusion
Congratulations! If you’ve successfully built EDK2, give yourself a pat on the back – you’re officially lucky and on your way to mastering UEFI firmware development. 🎉
However, if you ran into any issues or if things didn’t go quite as planned, don’t worry! Firmware development can be tricky, and sometimes even the best of us need a little extra help. Check out the following video for troubleshooting tips and further guidance:
Troubleshooting EDK2 Setup on Linux: Step-by-Step Video Guide
If you are able to run the build
command as shown in the video, then you are good to go!
Even if you encounter an error about a build failure, don’t worry – this error is due to our script, not the EDK2 setup.
I’ll show you how to set up a working directory and configure everything properly in our upcoming “Hello-World” tutorial.
Stay tuned, and get ready to dive deeper into UEFI firmware development!
Remember, every great developer has faced challenges – it’s how we learn and grow. Stick with it, and soon you’ll be a UEFI firmware expert. If you have any questions or need additional support, feel free to reach out in the comments.
Happy coding, and stay secure!