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From: Michael L. <inc...@my...> - 2002-09-09 18:50:57
|
Terry, We can't use SF's CVS for the project, because I don't think they'd let us host a complete Linux distro on their servers like that. So, it would be better to set one up for our site at cvs.inceptionos.org Thanks, Michael On Sun, 8 Sep 2002 21:18:58 +0100, "Terry Churchill" <te...@do...> said: > Michael Lauzon <inc...@my...> Said: >=20 > > So, we have CVS at inceptionos.org. I assume it is located at > > cvs.inceptionos.org? >=20 > Not yet - I thought we were happy with sourceforge for cvs? I can > easily > set one up if need be though. >=20 > --=20 > Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ >=20 > "The people united can never be ignited!"- Sgt. Colon, Ankh-Morpork > Watch >=20 -- Michael Lauzon Founder & Lead Project Manager InceptionOS Project http://www.inceptionos.org/ mi...@in... --=20 http://fastmail.fm - The way email should be... |
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From: Terry C. <te...@do...> - 2002-09-09 09:05:51
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Terry Churchill <te...@do...> Said: > Excellent. I'll have this done later today or tommorow & entered in cvs > in $CVSROOT/docs/devel/kernel/initrd is noone objects. OK - it's written, but I won't be able to put it in CVS until I return home. Feel free to take a look at it in it's various forms: http://atuin.doc-linux.co.uk/~terry/ Bear in mind I've not spellchecked it yet ;-) Comments? -- Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ "Some people are alive only because it is illegal to kill them." |
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From: Kelledin <kel...@sk...> - 2002-09-08 21:07:35
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Yet another document to poke, prod, laud, lambast, change, and=20 finally convert to DocBook SGML. ;) One thing to note is that I'm currently working on a script that=20 takes a set of driver packs on the command line and combines=20 them into a single initrd image. It automates a lot of the=20 things like constructing module lists on the initrd and checking=20 mount options for the system's "real" root FS. Chances are,=20 this script (and the source code for the initrd's customized=20 /sbin/init executable) will be released as a single tarball and=20 turned into yet another RPM package. --=20 Kelledin "If a server crashes in a server farm and no one pings it, does=20 it still cost four figures to fix?" |
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From: Kelledin <kel...@sk...> - 2002-09-08 21:01:52
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On Sunday 08 September 2002 03:08 pm, Michael Lauzon wrote: > About following the LSB, are we using the 1.0 spec or the 1.1 > spec...preferably it is 1.1? I am just bringing this up, > because as you know we should keep following the spec even > when a new one comes out. Currently I'm targeting LSB 1.2 compliance. Once we get a=20 pre-release/demo ISO up, one of the first things to do will be=20 to hammer it with LSB tests. --=20 Kelledin "If a server crashes in a server farm and no one pings it, does=20 it still cost four figures to fix?" |
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From: Terry C. <te...@do...> - 2002-09-08 20:20:30
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Michael Lauzon <inc...@my...> Said: > We should also make the document to HTML as well, and host it on the > web site to. We will do - I write .sgml files that can be converted to html/txt & pdf files using the docbook tools. I'll make sure the documents are avaliable in all four formats. HTH -- Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ I can bend minds with my spoon |
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From: Terry C. <te...@do...> - 2002-09-08 20:19:06
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Michael Lauzon <inc...@my...> Said: > So, we have CVS at inceptionos.org. I assume it is located at > cvs.inceptionos.org? Not yet - I thought we were happy with sourceforge for cvs? I can easily set one up if need be though. -- Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ "The people united can never be ignited!"- Sgt. Colon, Ankh-Morpork Watch |
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From: Michael L. <inc...@my...> - 2002-09-08 20:11:52
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Kelledin, We should also make the document to HTML as well, and host it on the web site to. Michael On Sat, 7 Sep 2002 17:38:13 -0500, "Kelledin" <kel...@sk...> said: > I've prepared a first draft of the initrd format specification I=20 > plan to use. It would be nice if we all go over this, point out=20 > deficiencies, possible enhancements, etc. Once we're reasonably=20 > satisfied with it, Terry can convert it to DocBook SGML and host=20 > an online release at inceptionos.org. ;) >=20 > One thing the document mentions is a customized /sbin/init=20 > executable. I'll probably develop this in a couple of days, as=20 > I've done something very similar before. I also plan to have an=20 > driver-pack format documented soon... >=20 > --=20 > Kelledin > "If a server crashes in a server farm and no one pings it, does=20 > it still cost four figures to fix?" -- Michael Lauzon Founder & Lead Project Manager InceptionOS Project http://www.inceptionos.org/ mi...@in... --=20 http://fastmail.fm/ - A fast, anti-spam email service. |
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From: Michael L. <inc...@my...> - 2002-09-08 20:08:43
|
Terry, So, we have CVS at inceptionos.org. I assume it is located at cvs.inceptionos.org? Kelledin, About following the LSB, are we using the 1.0 spec or the 1.1 spec...preferably it is 1.1? I am just bringing this up, because as you know we should keep following the spec even when a new one comes out. Michael On Sun, 8 Sep 2002 08:40:30 +0100, "Terry Churchill" <te...@do...> said: > Kelledin <kel...@sk...> Said: > > I've prepared a first draft of the initrd format specification I=20 > > plan to use. It would be nice if we all go over this, point out=20 > > deficiencies, possible enhancements, etc. Once we're reasonably=20 > > satisfied with it, Terry can convert it to DocBook SGML and host=20 > > an online release at inceptionos.org. ;) >=20 > Excellent. I'll have this done later today or tommorow & entered in cvs > in $CVSROOT/docs/devel/kernel/initrd is noone objects. >=20 > --=20 > Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ >=20 > Looks catch the eye but after that there is a miriad of other factors > that > come in to play. Likes, dislikes, hobbies, whether they use vi or are > forever > damned to the depths of hell for using emacs. Important things like > that. >=20 >=20 > ------------------------------------------------------- > This sf.net email is sponsored by: OSDN - Tired of that same old > cell phone? Get a new here for FREE! > https://www.inphonic.com/r.asp?r=3Dsourceforge1&refcode1=3Dvs3390 > _______________________________________________ > Maxlinux-devel mailing list > Max...@li... > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/maxlinux-devel >=20 -- Michael Lauzon Founder & Lead Project Manager InceptionOS Project http://www.inceptionos.org/ mi...@in... --=20 http://fastmail.fm - Sent .0000002 seconds ago |
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From: Terry C. <te...@do...> - 2002-09-08 07:40:37
|
Kelledin <kel...@sk...> Said: > I've prepared a first draft of the initrd format specification I > plan to use. It would be nice if we all go over this, point out > deficiencies, possible enhancements, etc. Once we're reasonably > satisfied with it, Terry can convert it to DocBook SGML and host > an online release at inceptionos.org. ;) Excellent. I'll have this done later today or tommorow & entered in cvs in $CVSROOT/docs/devel/kernel/initrd is noone objects. -- Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ Looks catch the eye but after that there is a miriad of other factors that come in to play. Likes, dislikes, hobbies, whether they use vi or are forever damned to the depths of hell for using emacs. Important things like that. |
|
From: Kelledin <kel...@sk...> - 2002-09-07 22:40:29
|
I've prepared a first draft of the initrd format specification I=20 plan to use. It would be nice if we all go over this, point out=20 deficiencies, possible enhancements, etc. Once we're reasonably=20 satisfied with it, Terry can convert it to DocBook SGML and host=20 an online release at inceptionos.org. ;) One thing the document mentions is a customized /sbin/init=20 executable. I'll probably develop this in a couple of days, as=20 I've done something very similar before. I also plan to have an=20 driver-pack format documented soon... --=20 Kelledin "If a server crashes in a server farm and no one pings it, does=20 it still cost four figures to fix?" |
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From: Kelledin <kel...@sk...> - 2002-09-07 20:22:00
|
On Saturday 07 September 2002 12:16 pm, Michael Lauzon wrote: > Kelledin, > > Since Enrico will be away for a while, I'll ask you. How far > away do you think it'll be before we have an ISO image for > download. Also, we may want to use the MD5 Sum like they do > on LinuxISO when we have our first ISO image...of course this > is just a thought. I've gathered the baseline necessary RPMs (see my last posting). That should be just about enough for an ISO. We still need a precompiled kernel and a finalized, documented initrd/driver-pack format. I should have that ready within a week, if all goes well. I don't know if Enrico has decided to go ahead without that or not; if he has, it's all on him now. If not, it's all on me now. But hey, no pressure, eh? ;) -- Kelledin "If a server crashes in a server farm and no one pings it, does it still cost four figures to fix?" |
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From: Michael L. <inc...@my...> - 2002-09-07 17:16:25
|
Kelledin, Since Enrico will be away for a while, I'll ask you. How far away do you think it'll be before we have an ISO image for download. Also, we may want to use the MD5 Sum like they do on LinuxISO when we have our first ISO image...of course this is just a thought. Michael On Fri, 6 Sep 2002 19:40:26 -0500, "Kelledin" <kel...@sk...> said: > On Friday 06 September 2002 01:54 am, Enrico Kern wrote: > > This are Standard Features and its only V 0.1 so dont > > cry about missing features please. To create a iso > > i need now finally the rpms.. (when would our anon ftp > > ready?) Or i ask you kelledin, please sort out ALL rpms > > (without aditional packages) i need for a basic installation > > and move them to a directory called "ios-demo 0.1" or > > somewhat. >=20 > Done. Check=20 > ftp://skarpsey.dyndns.org/packages/versions/0.1-demo/RPMS/ for=20 > packages. You may also need the stuff in=20 > ftp://skarpsey.dyndns.org/packages/versions/0.1-demo/SOURCES/ ,=20 > if you don't have it already. Hopefully this stuff will be=20 > mirrored on ftp.inceptionos.org soon enough... >=20 > In just a day or so, I'll have a planned initrd structure=20 > documented. Shortly after that I'll have customized initrd=20 > binaries ready, then I'll document a prototype "driver pack"=20 > format. >=20 > --=20 > Kelledin > "If a server crashes in a server farm and no one pings it, does=20 > it still cost four figures to fix?" >=20 >=20 > ------------------------------------------------------- > This sf.net email is sponsored by: OSDN - Tired of that same old > cell phone? Get a new here for FREE! > https://www.inphonic.com/r.asp?r=3Dsourceforge1&refcode1=3Dvs3390 > _______________________________________________ > Maxlinux-devel mailing list > Max...@li... > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/maxlinux-devel >=20 -- Michael Lauzon Founder & Lead Project Manager InceptionOS Project http://www.inceptionos.org/ mi...@in... --=20 http://fastmail.fm : send your email first class |
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From: Kelledin <kel...@sk...> - 2002-09-07 00:42:40
|
On Friday 06 September 2002 01:54 am, Enrico Kern wrote: > This are Standard Features and its only V 0.1 so dont > cry about missing features please. To create a iso > i need now finally the rpms.. (when would our anon ftp > ready?) Or i ask you kelledin, please sort out ALL rpms > (without aditional packages) i need for a basic installation > and move them to a directory called "ios-demo 0.1" or > somewhat. Done. Check=20 ftp://skarpsey.dyndns.org/packages/versions/0.1-demo/RPMS/ for=20 packages. You may also need the stuff in=20 ftp://skarpsey.dyndns.org/packages/versions/0.1-demo/SOURCES/ ,=20 if you don't have it already. Hopefully this stuff will be=20 mirrored on ftp.inceptionos.org soon enough... In just a day or so, I'll have a planned initrd structure=20 documented. Shortly after that I'll have customized initrd=20 binaries ready, then I'll document a prototype "driver pack"=20 format. --=20 Kelledin "If a server crashes in a server farm and no one pings it, does=20 it still cost four figures to fix?" |
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From: Terry C. <te...@do...> - 2002-09-06 15:48:37
|
Michael Lauzon <inc...@my...> Said: > You got AnonFTP working...? Yep - tommorow I'll start it rsyncing the current ftp. -- Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ "Oh, *that*," said Vimes. "I was talking about policing, not alcohol. There's lots of people will help you with the alcohol business, but there's no one out there arranging little meetings where you can stand up and say, 'My name's Sam and I'm a really suspicious bastard.'" |
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From: Terry C. <te...@do...> - 2002-09-06 15:47:48
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Michael Lauzon <inc...@my...> Said: > 'mmkay?' Okay Mr. Garrison. LOL! Brain is not working again, but what > does 'TBH' & 'PITA' stand for? :) (T)o (B)e (H)onest & (P)ain (I)n (T)he (A)ss. > Michael > P.S. Might want to delete Mantis.... Will do - right now I'm off for a few beers with workmates. I'll try and remember to do it when I get in :) -- Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ Politics and religion are just like software and hardware. They all suck, the documentation is probably incorrect, and all the vendors tell lies. |
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From: Michael L. <inc...@my...> - 2002-09-06 15:03:15
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Terry, You got AnonFTP working...? Michael On Fri, 6 Sep 2002 08:32:28 +0100, "Terry Churchill" <te...@do...> said: > Enrico Kern <ph...@h0...> Said: >=20 > > This are Standard Features and its only V 0.1 so dont > > cry about missing features please. To create a iso > > i need now finally the rpms.. (when would our anon ftp > > ready?) Or i ask you kelledin, please sort out ALL rpms > > (without aditional packages) i need for a basic installation > > and move them to a directory called "ios-demo 0.1" or somewhat. >=20 > Ah, forgot to mention :)=20 >=20 > ftp://ftp.inceptionos.org/ >=20 > HTH > --=20 > Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ >=20 > I can bend minds with my spoon >=20 >=20 > ------------------------------------------------------- > This sf.net email is sponsored by: OSDN - Tired of that same old > cell phone? Get a new here for FREE! > https://www.inphonic.com/r.asp?r=3Dsourceforge1&refcode1=3Dvs3390 > _______________________________________________ > Maxlinux-devel mailing list > Max...@li... > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/maxlinux-devel >=20 --=20 http://fastmail.fm - One of many happy users: http://www.fastmail.fm/docs/quotes.html |
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From: Michael L. <inc...@my...> - 2002-09-06 14:57:04
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Terry, 'mmkay?' Okay Mr. Garrison. LOL! Brain is not working again, but what does 'TBH' & 'PITA' stand for? Michael P.S. Might want to delete Mantis.... On Fri, 6 Sep 2002 07:14:47 +0100, "Terry Churchill" <te...@do...> said: > Michael Lauzon <inc...@my...> Said: > > Terry, > >=20 > > I stillsay use Bugzilla exclusively, one because it is stable and has > > been used for a few years now by various projects, the most notable > > being Mozilla. Mantis is a pre-1.0 release, you could call it Alpha > > software, although if you are going to test out Mantis, why don't we > > test all the ones listed for the poll? I of course still put my vote > > for Bugzilla, regardless of how testing turns out on the other one(s)= . >=20 > I agree TBH, and did vote for bugzilla on the poll ;-) >=20 > Mantis is easy to set up, but looks like a PITA to upgrade & not as > full > featured as bugzilla. >=20 > The only other one I've even heared of from the list is gnats, which > I've > dealt with in the past & is a total PITA in all respects. >=20 > Let's just stick to bugzilla mmkay? > --=20 > Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ >=20 > DUMMY MODE, n. The mode in which a user, overcome by technical terms, > will believe, and/or do, anything he or she is told. >=20 -- Michael Lauzon Founder & Lead Project Manager InceptionOS Project http://www.inceptionos.org/ mi...@in... --=20 http://fastmail.fm : send your email first class |
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From: Terry C. <te...@do...> - 2002-09-06 07:32:33
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Enrico Kern <ph...@h0...> Said: > This are Standard Features and its only V 0.1 so dont > cry about missing features please. To create a iso > i need now finally the rpms.. (when would our anon ftp > ready?) Or i ask you kelledin, please sort out ALL rpms > (without aditional packages) i need for a basic installation > and move them to a directory called "ios-demo 0.1" or somewhat. Ah, forgot to mention :) ftp://ftp.inceptionos.org/ HTH -- Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ I can bend minds with my spoon |
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From: Enrico K. <ph...@h0...> - 2002-09-06 06:54:27
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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hi guys, The installer for V 0.1 is "READY". Because i have currently not so much time (i am going out to berlin for 1 week) it lacks some features, but with the next release i will fix that all.. But for a demoinstallation it works pretty well. - - Written in Python (its a modified version of the kama installer) - - TEXT and X-Interface - - Hardware Detection and Modulconfiguration - - Locale-Settings - - Picture Slideshow while installing with X - - Create Bootdisk - - ext3 partitioning +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - - Installs ONLY a set of RPM`s (basis installation) but you can choose more after reboot. - - Installs ONLY grub as bootloader yet +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This are Standard Features and its only V 0.1 so dont cry about missing features please. To create a iso i need now finally the rpms.. (when would our anon ftp ready?) Or i ask you kelledin, please sort out ALL rpms (without aditional packages) i need for a basic installation and move them to a directory called "ios-demo 0.1" or somewhat. Enrico - ------------------------------------------------------- H Zero Seven - Unix/Linux Development and Research Team http://www.h07.org .oO(we do not take anything seriously, as long as it is not on a harddisk)Oo. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.0.6 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Made with pgp4pine 1.75-6 iD8DBQE9eFEcN1/FHV5uRHkRAlEvAJ9F6xJgNIQ5D2w5j6Tg4+imYTBGnQCghD+C 9mhy8tavUj0WEp4QZIc8x9A= =0zkF -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- |
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From: Terry C. <te...@do...> - 2002-09-06 06:14:56
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Michael Lauzon <inc...@my...> Said: > Terry, > > I stillsay use Bugzilla exclusively, one because it is stable and has > been used for a few years now by various projects, the most notable > being Mozilla. Mantis is a pre-1.0 release, you could call it Alpha > software, although if you are going to test out Mantis, why don't we > test all the ones listed for the poll? I of course still put my vote > for Bugzilla, regardless of how testing turns out on the other one(s). I agree TBH, and did vote for bugzilla on the poll ;-) Mantis is easy to set up, but looks like a PITA to upgrade & not as full featured as bugzilla. The only other one I've even heared of from the list is gnats, which I've dealt with in the past & is a total PITA in all respects. Let's just stick to bugzilla mmkay? -- Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ DUMMY MODE, n. The mode in which a user, overcome by technical terms, will believe, and/or do, anything he or she is told. |
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From: Michael L. <inc...@my...> - 2002-09-05 20:22:16
|
Terry, I stillsay use Bugzilla exclusively, one because it is stable and has been used for a few years now by various projects, the most notable being Mozilla. Mantis is a pre-1.0 release, you could call it Alpha software, although if you are going to test out Mantis, why don't we test all the ones listed for the poll? I of course still put my vote for Bugzilla, regardless of how testing turns out on the other one(s). Michael On Thu, 5 Sep 2002 12:52:44 +0100, "Terry Churchill" <te...@do...> said: > Terry Churchill <te...@do...> Said: >=20 > > http://test.inceptionos.org/ >=20 > Oops, that should be: >=20 > http://test.inceptionos.org/mantis/ >=20 > --=20 > Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ >=20 > "Some people are alive only because it is illegal to kill them." >=20 >=20 > ------------------------------------------------------- > This sf.net email is sponsored by: OSDN - Tired of that same old > cell phone? Get a new here for FREE! > https://www.inphonic.com/r.asp?r=3Dsourceforge1&refcode1=3Dvs3390 > _______________________________________________ > Maxlinux-devel mailing list > Max...@li... > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/maxlinux-devel >=20 -- Michael Lauzon Founder & Lead Project Manager InceptionOS Project http://www.inceptionos.org/ mi...@in... --=20 http://fastmail.fm - Email service worth paying for. Try it for free.=20 |
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From: Terry C. <te...@do...> - 2002-09-05 11:52:51
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Terry Churchill <te...@do...> Said: > http://test.inceptionos.org/ Oops, that should be: http://test.inceptionos.org/mantis/ -- Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ "Some people are alive only because it is illegal to kill them." |
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From: Terry C. <te...@do...> - 2002-09-05 10:17:12
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Hi, Not having played with it before I decided to install mantis at: http://test.inceptionos.org/ Just waiting for DNS to update, but feel free to look at it once that's done. Comments are welcome... -- Terry Churchill : http://www.doc-linux.co.uk/ If it doesn't work, force it. If it breaks, it needed replacing anyway. |
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From: Kelledin <kel...@sk...> - 2002-09-04 19:49:07
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On Wednesday 04 September 2002 01:18 pm, Michael Lauzon wrote:
> Kelledin,
>
> Even though some of what you say is already laid out for us,
> why not contact some of the other distros and see how they do
> it, in that way we could use some of their ideas in doing our
> kernel.
Done quite a bit of that already. ;)
Slackware uses different precompiled kernels for each possible=20
hard-drive controller.
SuSE, Debian, and RedHat use something similar to the initrd=20
system I've proposed.
To get a grasp of the advantages of an initrd, it helps to go=20
over several scenarios:
1) User Joe starts installing Slackware. Looking through the=20
bootdisk images, he settles on the plain-jane bare.i disk. He=20
goes through the install and installs network and PCMCIA=20
module packages. He boots up, and all modules load=20
properly--but he doesn't have any power management...
User Joe is rather annoyed.
2) Take scenario 1, but have Joe decide to use the bare+APM=20
bootdisk instead. He boots up, but his PCMCIA modules won't=20
load--they get "unresolved symbol" errors. This is where the=20
Slackware method fails. Your average Slackware user can
handle this just fine by recompiling the kernel, but User
Joe might be out in the cold. Mention "compile your kernel,"
and a lot of average computer users (like our hero User Joe)
will cringe in fear/confusion/bewilderment.
3) Hardware manufacturer FastRAID Inc. decides to release Linux=20
drivers for their RAID controllers. They first release the=20
drivers as a patch against the kernel source. This doesn't do=20
current distros much good, because a new kernel must be=20
compiled and booted before an installation script can even=20
mount the root FS on systems with a FastRAID product. This is=20
generally impractical and often completely impossible.
FastRAID Inc. has a few options at this point:
a) Release a precompiled "driver pack" for distros which
support the "driver pack" convention. FastRAID Inc.=20
developers must know how to compile a kernel and=20
familiarize themselves with "driver pack" formats. The=20
first is already taken care of (else they wouldn't be able=20
to release a kernel patch). The second is probably not=20
too complicated, assuming there's sufficient=20
documentation from the distro developers.
User Joe (who probably wouldn't be recompiling his kernel=20
anyways) finds that FastRAID products "just work" in his
Linux distro, and he's happy with that. User LinuxGod=20
takes it a step further by getting FastRAID's kernel patch=20
and compiling a custom kernel himself, at which point he=20
probably knows how to manage an initrd, or at least knows
how to dispense with one completely. Anyone who can't=20
handle this arrangement probably shouldn't be using Linux=20
anyways.
b) Create customized bootdisk images for Slackware (and=20
similar distros). This is a bit more daunting for=20
FastRAID Inc.'s developers. On top of that, FastRAID Inc.=20
suddenly has to deal with Scenario 2 type problems, with=20
User Joe calling their support lines and saying, "Your=20
bootdisk image breaks my PCMCIA drivers. You suck. Or=20
Slackware sucks. Or life sucks. Or something..."
It wouldn't matter that the solution is just a kernel
compile away, because User Joe is a bit intimidated about=20
compiling his own kernel. In his opinion, this driver=20
doohickie should "just work", and it's not. Suddenly he=20
assumes his distro sucks, Linux as a whole sucks, or=20
FastRAID Inc. sucks. In any case, he's not happy.
At this point, FastRAID Inc. would probably be tempted to=20
just shrug and say, "Slackware users, you lose."
c) Just send the patch off to the kernel hackers and let them
handle it. While FastRAID Inc. should do this anyways, it=20
leaves some lag time between releasing the hardware, and=20
getting it fully supported in Linux.
4) Take User Joe again, but assume he was unfortunate enough to=20
buy a Packard Bell box without knowing what hard drive=20
controller is in it. He doesn't really know which boot=20
drivers he needs, so he gets stuck with one of two options:
a) Download lots of Slackware bootdisks and try each of them
in turn, until he finds one that boots. This is tedious
and rather annoying, as he must reboot between every test
and perhaps have a lot of floppies on hand for the myriad
separate bootdisks. Besides which, once he finds a disk
that works, he could be stuck in Scenario 2 again.
b) Download a distro with a Redhat-style initrd, and let the
distro's install script go through a set of driver packs,
testing each one to see if modprobe loads it without a
hitch. Not all hardware will work with this simple=20
autodetect scheme (ISA hardware especially will be=20
troublesome), but it might make User Joe's job a lot=20
easier. At the very least, he probably won't have to
reboot between each test.
5) A security/stability/sanity advisory is released for the=20
current kernel, and a new version is released. User LinuxGod=20
takes it in stride; he's good with this. User Joe...well, we=20
don't know where User Joe is at this point. Neither approach=20
to boot-time drivers can really pull this off perfectly,=20
because ABI compatibility in the Linux kernel is not=20
guaranteed for kernel-space code.
--=20
Kelledin
"If a server crashes in a server farm and no one pings it, does=20
it still cost four figures to fix?"
|
|
From: Michael L. <inc...@my...> - 2002-09-04 18:18:50
|
Kelledin, Even though some of what you say is already laid out for us, why not contact some of the other distros and see how they do it, in that way we could use some of their ideas in doing our kernel. Michael On Tue, 3 Sep 2002 10:22:34 -0500, "Kelledin" <kel...@sk...> said: > Sooner or later, we need to decide how to manage precompiled=20 > kernels and precompiled drivers. So far, the basics of doing=20 > this are laid out for us already; we will have almost all=20 > drivers compiled as modules, and we will place modules needed at=20 > boot-time in an initial RAMdisk image (initrd). The initial=20 > RAMdisk image will contain drivers and applications necessary=20 > for loading those drivers and mounting the "real" root FS. >=20 > So far, here's what I'm thinking of doing within the initrd: >=20 > 1) Have a statically compiled binary installed as /sbin/init on=20 > the initrd. Also have /sbin/modprobe on the initrd as well=20 > (also statically compiled). >=20 > 2) The initrd's /sbin/init will be responsible for the following: >=20 > - Looking in /etc/modules.rc to determine what modules to=20 > load. >=20 > - Calling /sbin/modprobe to load those modules. >=20 > - Looking in /etc/mount.rc to determine what device to mount=20 > as the "real" root FS, what FS type is on that device, and > what options to use when mounting it. "/bin/mount" will > not be included in the initrd; the initrd's /sbin/init will > call the mount() syscall directly instead to save space. >=20 > - Mounting the specified device and calling pivot_root() to > change to the new root FS. >=20 > - Executing the "real" /sbin/init to take over booting. >=20 > 3) During future versions of the installation program, we should=20 > have a precompiled kernel available, as well as modular=20 > drivers for various driver and filesystem types. These=20 > modular drivers should be avaliable as compressed packages > on a separate "driver disk" during install. The installation > program should include options for auto-probing drivers, > configuring which drivers get auto-probed, and specifying > custom modprobe options for each driver. There should also > be a specified format for supplemental driver disks provided > by third parties (such as hardware manufacturers). >=20 > The part we need to decide on together is the format of a=20 > compressed "driver pack". The driver pack should include kernel=20 > modules to be loaded, a list of those modules and human-readable=20 > one-line comments for each one, and a human-readable one-line=20 > description of the driver pack and what it supports. An=20 > optional comprehensive README for the driver should be supported=20 > as well. I have other features in mind, but they can wait. >=20 > --=20 > Kelledin > "If a server crashes in a server farm and no one pings it, does=20 > it still cost four figures to fix?" >=20 >=20 > ------------------------------------------------------- > This sf.net email is sponsored by: OSDN - Tired of that same old > cell phone? Get a new here for FREE! > https://www.inphonic.com/r.asp?r=3Dsourceforge1&refcode1=3Dvs3390 > _______________________________________________ > Maxlinux-devel mailing list > Max...@li... > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/maxlinux-devel >=20 -- Michael Lauzon Founder & Lead Project Manager InceptionOS Project http://www.inceptionos.org/ mi...@in... --=20 http://fastmail.fm - Ever wonder why we aren't named snailmail.sm?=20 |
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