Hi tns1,
> Is there an easy patch process to update a customized version of the u-boot src?
Yes, see the section, "Submitting Patches" in the u-boot top level README file for
details. But basically, create a patch file against the u-boot top-of-tree, then
send the patch to the u-boot mailing list.
To ensure a good experience, please do follow the instructions carefully.
The lead project maintainer (Wolfgang) sets high standards for contributions ;-)
> I just noticed I have an older version than appears on the psyent site.
Please be aware that the u-boot sources at
http://www.psyent.com/download (
http://www.psyent.com/download)
are *not* official. However, anything that shows up at psyent has been submitted
to the u-boot project ... with the exception of a few very basic nips & tucks to
eliminate compile time warnings.
Since u-boot supports such a large number of architectures and boards,
the maintainers receive a considerable number of patches. Because of this,
some patches can literally take months to make it into the official source
tree -- this why the psyent site exists -- to make the Nios CPU related
patches available to the development community as soon as possible.
As of 2005-Feb-10, the (3) patches required to bring the main u-boot source
tree up to the
psyent.com level are in the queue at positions 5, 8, and 23
out of a total of 129. When these patches are finally accepted into the main
source tree, I'll announce it here in the Nios Forum. It would probably be best
to wait until this time to add your specific board to the main source tree.
Also, with Nios-II 1.1, there were several tool changes that result in compile
time errors/warnings with the sources at psyent. These will be cleaned up
and made available at psyent once the appropriate patch has been submitted
to the u-boot project.
I'm sure this post is much more than you bargained for ;-) ... but I hope it
helps.
Best Regards,
--Scott
PS -- once your board-specific code is in the main u-boot source tree, I'd
be glad to make it available in the psyent distribution.