Mainline Linux kernel/U-Boot vs NXP Linux kernel/U-Boot for i.MX8QM

[Tom2023]

Is it possible to run a mainline kernel and a mainline U-Boot
on the i.MX8QM?

How is the procedure to answer this qustion?

My understanding is that NXP has diverged from mainline
and has its own kernel and U-Boot git repository, correct?

How can I find out how much NXP diverged?
Do I have to compare the mainline git repository with
the NXP git repository? This should be technically possible
with git right?

If I know how much NXP diverged, I should be able to asses
whether it is possible (and necessary?) for me
to integrate the NXP changes into an mainline kernel and
into a mainline U-Boot or if it is too much work, correct?

Thank you!

[Tom2023]

Thanks for your answer. However, I think it is difficult to decide whether to chose a mainline kernel (resp. U-Boot) or to stick with the NXP kernel (resp. U-Boot) because there are pros and cons on both sides. If anyone has already tried a mainline kernel on the i.MX8QM, I would be very interested to hear his/her experience. Thanks!

[Zhiming_Liu]

Is it possible to run a mainline kernel and a mainline U-Boot
on the i.MX8QM?

--> Possible, but there are lots of driver compatible issues that NXP will not support during your test.

Do I have to compare the mainline git repository with
the NXP git repository? This should be technically possible
with git right?

--> Yes, you can pull NXP git and compare the difference between mainline tag.

We don't recommand you use mainline kernel.