In the current ArchLinux ARM configuration, the ESPRESSOBin's on-board switch comes on immediately upon power-on, and starts acting like a switch. If I don't want that -- e.g. because my network topology needs it to be a router -- I'm screwed for 60 sec or so from power-on until the Linux networking subsystem is ready and can configure it differently. By that time, DHCP requests and responses have long leaked across LAN and WAN, creating havoc in terms of IP assignment, and for security.
Apparently that default switch behavior can be changed through u-boot. I admit I'm not entirely following, but in these two threads [1] [2], smart people claim they have managed to make it work by upgrading u-boot.
Is there a chance that Arch Linux ARM might produce an upgraded u-boot package that incorporates this?
[1] http://espressobin.net/forums/topic/boo ... -security/
[2] http://espressobin.net/forums/topic/how ... sh-u-boot/