What does LOADADDR=0x20008000 mean in linux kernel make command? and what is kernel load address?

[Chan Kim]

Hello all,

I'm learning u-boot these days and have a question.

Using qemu model, I could (using qemu) load the "Image" (for arm64) on
memory location I want and I could run the kernel booting using `booti
ker_add initrd_addr dtb_addr` command. 

As you know in arm64, the uImage format is not supported.

Then, when building linux kernel for arm (32 bit) using u-boot, what does
"make LOADADDR=0x20008000 uImage" mean? 

Regardless of this LOADADDR, we can load (from SD card or network) the
uImage anywhere we want using u-boot shell. Then what is this LOADADDR?

Does it mean that when we run `bootm` command, the u-boot program relocates
the kernel image inside the uImage to 0x20008000? 

(and the kernel built not using position independent, PC-relative
addressing..using hard absolute addresses..)

Some years ago, we used kernel start address during the build and I had to
load the kernel image exactly on that address. But this time I could load
'Image' anywhere I want and could run it. Why?

Is it because I (not knowingly) compiled the arm64 'Image' using position
independent address(-PIE option)?

If someone with expertise could explain to me what's happening here, I would
really really appreciate it. 

Thank you.

Best regards,

Chan Kim

 

 

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