How to create an initrd.gz for an ARMEABI target?
 

I have built a custom-patched version of a Linux v3.4 kernel on a Debian amd64 host for an Intel iop32x + Redboot target. This has created a zImage file which I can upload to the target.

I also need to create an initrd.gz to upload as well so that the target will have an initramfs to boot from.

My question is how can this target file be created on the host?

I have been searching for an answer to this for many months so I'm hoping someone here will be able to help.

Thanks
Chris

There are at least two common init ramdisk formats. The one I tend to use is the older flavor; a compressed cpio archive. A Google search for 'compressed cpio archive initrd' turns up lots of useful hits, including 'How to View, Modify and Recreate initrd.img', which seems to have most of the critical details.
If your question is about how to actually build the filesystem content, then I suggest that you use, or at least start with, a buildroot-based product. Once you've got a cross toolchain, Buildroot is fairly painless to use to build your root filesystem.

It may be that you require an initramfs style root filesystem, and I believe Buildroot can also create those. The difference is primarily in how the filesystem image is formatted.


--- rod.

Many thanks for that. It's an initrd style I need and I'll check out buildroot.

Chris