soc_system_board_info.xml/hps_common_board_info.xml common accross most devboards ?

yes- console, ethernet, mini webserver & fpga is loaded at boot via boot loader (MEL="00000")

leds are functional (built my code into the HPS_CONTROL_FPGA_LED demo project )

rebuilt kernel with kernel debug on (so i know its mine)

the angstrom distribution socfpga_cyclone5 ttys0

angstrom v2013.12 - kernel 3.10.31-ltsi-05035-g801a40f

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BTW: another interesting hoop to jump through to get good header files

sopcinfo2swinfo soc_system.sopcinfo

swinfo2header --swinfo soc_system.swinfo

creates amongst others --> hps_0.h <-- which has nice formatted info for the fpga devces ...