Cross-compile Linux Kernel

Follow the steps below to cross-compile the Linux kernel:

1. Execute the following to install dependencies and create the kernel:

   apt-get install build-essential linux-source bc kmod cpio flex libncurses5-dev libelf-dev libssl-dev dwarves bison git

2. Check out the kernel files from StarFive GitHub:

   git clone https://github.com/starfive-tech/linux

3. Execute the following command to switch to code branch:

   cd linux
   git checkout -b JH7110_VisionFive2_devel origin/JH7110_VisionFive2_devel
   git pull

4. Execute the following command to set the default configuration of compiling Linux kernel:

   make <Configuration_File> CROSS_COMPILE=riscv64-linux-gnu- ARCH=riscv

   where, Configuration_File is starfive_visionfive2_defconfig.

5. Execute the following command to set other software configuration of compiling Linux kernel:

   make CROSS_COMPILE=riscv64-linux-gnu- ARCH=riscv menuconfig

6. Compile the Linux kernel:

   make CROSS_COMPILE=riscv64-linux-gnu- ARCH=riscv -<jx>

   Change the -jx value according to the number of cores in your CPU. If your CPU has 8 cores, change this to -j8. This process may take some time.

   This script generates he following files which are used when porting rootfs, dtb, and the kernel to VisionFive 2:

   • The kernel image file Image.gz is created under the linux/arch/riscv/boot directory.

     

   • The dtb file Image.gz is created under the linux/arch/riscv/boot directory.