Chapter 5 Software Testing in QEMU

The previous section describes launching a sample system image in QEMU. This chapter will detail the QEMU workflow and how to use it efficiently. The petalinu-boot tool with the -qemu parameter will be used to start the emulation system (must be run in the project root).

1. Exit the QEMU emulator

When QEMU is running, you can exit by pressing Ctrl+A and X.

2. Start the default Linux kernel image

- The -kernel option is used to start the latest build of the Linux image. For Zynq, it is "< plnx-proj-root>/images/linux/zImage".
1. Build a system image using petalinux-build.
2. After the compilation is complete, switch to the project root directory (if not) and run:
$ petalinux-boot --qemu --kernel
3. During the boot process, you will see the Linux boot process.
4. Log in to the virtual system when you see the login prompt. The account number and password are both root.
5. Try using some Linux commands as they are in real hardware.
6. Use Ctrl+A, Z to exit the emulator.

3. Start making a Linux image

Petalinux-boot can also use the image option (-i or -image) to start a specified image.
$ petalinux-boot --qemu --image
E.g:
$ petalinux-boot --qemu --image ./images/linux/zImage

4. Start a Linux image based on the specified device tree

Device trees (DTS/DTB files) are typically used to pass descriptions of hardware structures and memory maps to the Linux kernel. The Petalinux System Emulator is also an emulator environment that uses DTB files to dynamically configure and match your hardware platform.

If the DTB file is not raised, the petalinux-boot tool will be read from "< plnx-proj-root>/images/linux/system.dtb" (ZYNQ series).
$ petalinux-boot --qemu --image ./images/linux/zImage --dtb ./images/linux/system.dtb