Is it necessary to make the initrd?

jacobselvin · 08-19-2006, 05:29 AM

I'm plannig to compile a linux kernel version 2.6.17. Most of the articles I read about "How to compile a kernel" doesn't mention about the initrd. Is it neessary to make a one. I have the following initrds. can I use any one of these?

-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 2423530 2006-07-21 23:36 /boot/initrd-2.6.16.21-0.13-xen
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 2492097 2006-08-19 19:03 /boot/initrd-2.6.18-rc4-1.5-smp

Bruce Hill · 08-19-2006, 05:52 AM

If you compile your / (root) filesystem built in (Y) and
not as a module (M), and your drive's controller chipset
built in, you do not need an initrd.

You can't use either one of those initrd images for your
2.6.17 kernel -- they are kernel specific.

Kwan Lowe as an excellent Kernel Rebuild Guide which I recommend.

jacobselvin · 08-19-2006, 08:00 AM

Thanks for the reply. I'm now clear about the mkinitrd. I compiled a 2.6.17.8 kernel and facing some problem at the moment. I'll better post in a separate thread.

Bruce Hill · 08-19-2006, 08:03 AM

Since this is your thread, I think it will be okay to
continue it here -- but suit yourself.