Technical requirements

To follow along with the examples in this chapter, make sure you have the following:

• A Linux-based host system with e2fsprogs, genext2fs, mtd-utils, squashfs-tools, and util-linux or their equivalents installed
• The U-Boot source tree from Chapter 3, All About Bootloaders
• A microSD card reader and card
• A USB to TTL 3.3V serial cable
• The Linux kernel source tree from Chapter 4, Configuring and Building the Kernel
• BeagleBone Black
• A 5V 1A DC power supply

You should have already downloaded and built U-Boot for the BeagleBone Black back in Chapter 3, All About Bootloaders. You should have obtained the Linux kernel source tree from Chapter 4, Configuring and Building the Kernel.

Ubuntu provides packages for most of the tools needed to create and format various filesystems. To install the tools on an Ubuntu 20.04 LTS system, use the following command:

$ sudo apt install e2fsprogs genext2fs mtd-utils squashfs-tools util-linux...