kernel 2.6 initramfs

ashlesha · 07-27-2006, 02:50 PM

hi,

I m trying to boot the 2.6 kernel on the DB1500 board that has the AU1500 MIPS processor.

When I built the kernel, a separate folder called usr was created that has the initramfs_data.cpio.gz, initramfs_data.o, gen_init_cpio (elf) and other files...

Now at the YAMON prompt, I dont know what bootargs to give for this compressed initramfs, for the root= arg.

Thanks
Ashlesha.

konsolebox · 07-27-2006, 05:37 PM

the initramfs_data.cpio.gz is a data for your initrd. you'll set it as your initrd image in the lilo config or grub config.

copy that file to /boot/ as initrd-`uname -r`.

then edit your config file (/boot/grub/menu.lst or /etc/lilo.conf) and add 'initrd=/boot/initrd-version' after the line with the string root=.

your config should now look something like this:
for menu.lst or grub.conf

Code:

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.4.27-2-386
root (hd0,6)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.4.27-2-386 root=/dev/hda7 ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.4.27-2-386
savedefault
boot

for lilo.conf

Code:

image = /boot/kernel
        label = Gentoo
        root = /dev/ram0
        initrd = /boot/initramfs
        append = "real_root=/dev/hda1 init=/linuxrc splash=silent,theme:darkcross video=nvidiafb:102
4x768 fbset=1024x768-60 CONSOLE=/dev/tty1 quiet"
        read-only

if you're using lilo, run 'lilo' before restart.

Edit: sorry bout this but i guess i can be wrong about initramfs_data.cpio.gz. i'm not really sure but initramfs_data.cpio.gz can only a part of initrd. it's not really the initrd. to make the initrd, run

Code:

mkinitrd -o initrd-`uname -r` `uname -r`

Edit2: don't use 'uname -r' btw if you're installing a new kernel version.

konsolebox · 07-27-2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashlesha

Now at the YAMON prompt, I dont know what bootargs to give for this compressed initramfs, for the root= arg.

you'll only need to specify here the real fs besides initrd that you're trying to boot. example 'root=/dev/hda1'. you can also add 'ro' to make /dev/hda1 mount read only. this is required when booting.

ashlesha · 07-27-2006, 06:07 PM

hi,

Thanks for your reply..
the thing is i m not using either grub or lilo..this is an embedded system..so my .config file doesnt have a root= entry..

so here is what i have: a boot loader called YAMON that can dnload the kernel image and take boot arguments and start the kernel accordingly..now upto kernel version 2.4, i could supply root=/dev/nfs and then give the location of the file system in nfsaddr=<server ip>:<path of fs> ..

but, i dont know how to do this with the new initramfs..

so far i ve tried the following boot args:
bootargs0 (USER) noinitrd
bootargs1 (USER) ip=xxx.xxx.1.xxx:xxx.xxx.x.xxx root=/dev/nfs
bootargs2 (USER) nfsroot=xxx.xxx.x.xxx:/tftpboot/usr_as/initramfs_list

doesnt work!

ashlesha.

konsolebox · 07-27-2006, 06:14 PM

you can get some documentations and new releases of YAMON here. the only problem is you need to register to get the files.

ashlesha · 07-27-2006, 06:19 PM

yeah i ve tried doing that too..and it gets stuck at the registration page!
do you knw anywhere else that i can look?

thanks,
a

ashlesha · 07-27-2006, 06:29 PM

hi,

do you know where i can look at the log buffer?

my System.map gives me the following address:

ieee754dp_logb

but i dont know what to do with it!?!

thanks
ashlesha.

konsolebox · 07-27-2006, 06:32 PM

i don't really understand the meaning of this page but it says something about adding linux parameters: http://www.mycable.de/xxs1500/cms/in...tart_a_Program

Edit: check the whole site. they also have some docs and manuals.

ashlesha · 07-27-2006, 07:31 PM

thanks for trying to ans my questions!
ashlesha.

MasterC · 07-27-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashlesha

hi,

Thanks for your reply..
the thing is i m not using either grub or lilo..this is an embedded system..so my .config file doesnt have a root= entry..

so here is what i have: a boot loader called YAMON that can dnload the kernel image and take boot arguments and start the kernel accordingly..now upto kernel version 2.4, i could supply root=/dev/nfs and then give the location of the file system in nfsaddr=<server ip>:<path of fs> ..

but, i dont know how to do this with the new initramfs..

so far i ve tried the following boot args:
bootargs0 (USER) noinitrd
bootargs1 (USER) ip=xxx.xxx.1.xxx:xxx.xxx.x.xxx root=/dev/nfs
bootargs2 (USER) nfsroot=xxx.xxx.x.xxx:/tftpboot/usr_as/initramfs_list

doesnt work!

ashlesha.

Evenin! I'm not all that familiar with embedded systems, but I have used NFS mounts and network booting and such. It may just be a problem with your kernel. There is an option in the 2.6 kernels to allow NFS as the root filesystem (I believe it lives in the filesystem section of the kernel config). From the sounds of your issue, this may not be enabled on your kernel. Other than that, your command line args seem correct assuming you aren't giving any typos when you type them on your actual system.

Cool

konsolebox · 07-27-2006, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashlesha

thanks for trying to ans my questions!
ashlesha.

sorry ashlesha. i was just typing my message when you made the post. anyway. i also have no idea where you can look at the log buffer.

i'll again try to search an alternate site where you can download the manual. i'll post one later if i find something.