Ubuntu
rpi-eeprom package

Can we get a refresh of rpi-eeprom from upstream?

Asked by Mike Silva

This Ubuntu package [rpi-eeprom; https://packages.ubuntu.com/kinetic/rpi-eeprom ] to configure and update the Raspberry Pi 4 firmware is now pretty woefully out of date on Ubuntu vis a vis what is considered the current "default" 'factory firmware' upstream from Raspbian. The Ubuntu's version of the package currently only allows flashing up to the factory default from Jan. 25, 2022. Whereas, the current factory default firmware from Raspberry Pi is Jan 11, 2023.

As you can see in the upstream release notes at the following link, there are some substantial fixes and improvements, since January, 2022.
https://github.com/raspberrypi/rpi-eeprom/blob/master/firmware/release-notes.md

One of these, includes a secure boot option...which admittedly is a bit funky, as there is no hardware TPM..., but I figured I should mention, if Ubuntu want to look into supporting that. That's just an aside, however. The other firmware fixes and improvements warrant updating Ubuntu's package, regardless of this secure boot option.

For what it's worth, I booted into Raspbian on my Pi 4 and updated to the 1-11-2023, and have had no issues using that firmware with Ubuntu Kinetic, with either the RPI 4 built-in hardware or attached external devices, for months. However, it would be nice if rather than jump through that cumbersome hoop, the Ubuntu community could update their Pi firmware to the current default from their favorite release of Ubuntu.

Thanks!

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Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#1

Manfred Hampl suggests this article as an answer to your question:
FAQ #3037: “no rolling release”.

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Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#2

Please see the FAQ (linked above) for the process of requesting an update of a package (SRU or backport).

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Mike Silva (mikesilva) said : 		#3

That’s a cute answer. But I’m not asking for a rolling release. I’m asking for your development team not to be derelict in enabling users access to fundamental firmware fixes for their hardware. You guys haven’t taken anything from upstream in over a year. There have been plenty of Ubuntu releases in which to re-evaluate and move closer to top of upstream tree. And, if any of you had bothered to look, at least a couple Rpi 4 factory default firmware releases in that time.

If you’re going to support the Pi 4, support it in a way that allows users to boot from devices and run internal hardware with the best known good firmware within a reasonable period of non-rolling release. Not doing so for over a year and through multiple Ubuntu and Pi firmware releases ‘ain’t it’.

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Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#4

There seems to be a misunderstanding.

You write "I’m not asking for a rolling release", but you are asking for updating existing packages after their introduction, which is a feature of a rolling release.

A change like the one that you want to have must be requested by creating a bug report with the appropriate bug template.
Complaining about perceived behavior of the developers in this question area does not help.

If you want, you can try manually installing the version for Ubuntu 23.04 (which is due for publication in two weeks' time) or upgrade to Ubuntu 23.04 already now.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#5

I suggest you report a bug. If the security and bug fixes are significant then the package will be updated sooner rather than later

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Mike Silva (mikesilva) said (last edit ): 		#6

Yes, you are misunderstanding. I'm asking that Ubuntu look to top of tree when they plan a new Ubuntu release, and take a newer release of the RPI firmware. This is not asking for a rolling release. There were 3 releases in the past year, where they had the opportunity to keep RPI firmware in sync and they took 0 opportunities.

This package is not really any different than linux-firmware, and that doesn't stay at the same release in perpetuity, only changing when there are CVEs.

Sure, I can right up a bug, as Andrew suggested. But this should be part of Ubuntu's release management for this platform they supposedly support.

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Launchpad Janitor (janitor) said : 		#7

This question was expired because it remained in the 'Open' state without activity for the last 15 days.