making kernel RPM. does not make initrd file

mindcry · 08-12-2004, 03:41 PM

I am building a custom kernel and trying to make it into an rpm using "make rpm" for easy distribution to other machines. Well it seems to be doing everything correctly but the problem is that it doesn't seem to be creating an initrd file. Any ideas?

osvaldomarques · 08-12-2004, 09:44 PM

Hi mindcry,
Initrd is created using the command "mkinitrd". See "man mkinirtd" for proper syntax details.
Good luck!

mindcry · 08-12-2004, 09:47 PM

How can I get that into the RPM though, and have it extract to the right place when I install the RPM on another server.

osvaldomarques · 08-12-2004, 10:02 PM

Sorry, but this I don't know.
I think you always have to create the "initrd" in the target system after install the kernel, because it is a file system customized to that system. Mkinitrd needs to know the boot partition of that system to create the "/dev" directory. My best guess would be a post-install operation, if rpm creation permits it.
I never did an rpm creation.

mindcry · 08-12-2004, 10:06 PM

yeah me neiter. I usually use make install and it does everything for me

osvaldomarques · 08-12-2004, 10:20 PM

You can take a look into initrd. All you need is to uncompress it to a file and mount it using "-o loop". You will see a tiny root fs, containing the modules needed to mount the real root partition, the device used by your root partition and a "linuxrc" script which install the modules, check the root fs, mounts it and do a pivot to it.