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.
Field-Proven Solution
The Fastboot product line has been deployed in multiple European and Israeli aerospace and defense programs, as well as other embedded networking platforms based on Marvell Prestera devices.
Examples include:
- Avionics platforms that require rapid network availability, board-specific integration, validation, and certification support.
- Electro-optics systems utilizing AC5-family devices with fast initialization requirements.
- Additional Prestera-based programs requiring deterministic switch startup and lightweight operation.
These deployments demonstrate Fastboot’s suitability for mission-critical environments where startup time, reliability, and deployment risk are key considerations.
Typical delivery flow:
Typical delivery is 8–14 weeks from receipt of the required hardware documentation and target hardware.
The exact schedule depends on:
- Hardware availability
- Board maturity and readiness
- Port configuration complexity
- Validation requirements
Delivery milestones are established jointly at project kickoff.
To begin the evaluation process, please provide the information about hardware specification, block diagram, port map, boot-flow and target configuration. We will review the platform, confirm compatibility with the standard Fastboot package, and provide a quotation for the defined board scope.
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