Larch Fastboot is a productized switch initialization software package for systems built on theMarvell Prestera® family of Ethernet switch devices.
The solution specifically supports AlleyCat (AC5, AC5Y, AC5X, AC5P), Ironman, Aldrin as well as other packet processor families.
Fastboot initializes the switch packet processor, ports, and forwarding plane at power-on, enabling static Layer 2 connectivity without requiring a full Network Operating System (NOS).
Standard board enablement (bring-up) is included as part of the package.
Running on the integrated ARMv7 Cortex-M3 (CM3) auxiliary uController embedded within the packet processor ASIC, Fastboot can operate as a lightweight standalone switching environment or provide early network availability while the main system CPU and NOS continue their startup sequence if present.
What the product does
- Initializes Prestera switch silicon from the auxiliary CM3 uController, including SerDes or PHY firmware, port mapping and board-specific port profiles.
- Built on a robust RTOS-based software architecture.
- Loads static switch configuration from human-readable text files.
- Supports configuration of ports, VLANs, FDB entries, forwarding parameters as well as a range of pluggable modules, their recognition and initialization.
- Provides a lightweight CLI for diagnostics and troubleshooting, including packet processor register access.
- Brings up Ethernet links and enables traffic forwarding within 15 seconds of power-on, with optional optimization for faster startup where platform characteristics permit.
- Integrates with customer-specific boot environments, including U-Boot-based platforms.
- Provides operational status through a dedicated console interface.
Who it is for
- Board manufacturers and OEMs building products around Marvell Prestera.
- Aerospace, defense, industrial, electro-optics, and embedded networking platforms requiring rapid network availability.
- Systems where the Ethernet switch is a subsystem managed by a host processor.
- Products requiring deterministic switch startup, minimal software footprint, and static forwarding behavior.
- Organizations seeking a commercially supported software product rather than a custom engineering engagement.
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