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-   -   Linux Booting Sequence Help. (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/linux-booting-sequence-help-446880/)

ranjeet_badhe 05-20-2006 10:20 PM

Linux Booting Sequence Help.
 
I would like to know the following points regarding booting sequence of Linux.
1)What is RAMdisk? Is it always there in Boot sector?What are the functions of RAMdisk ?Is it the part of main kernel?
2)What is stage-1 and stage-2 loader ?
3)What program is in boot sector that reads the grub file and compile it?
4)What is the source code for boot loader?
5)Which program has capabilities to uncompress the kernel image ?
6)At which stage is the control passed on to the Kernel ?

Regards
Ranjeet

acid_kewpie 05-21-2006 03:13 AM

this looks an awful lot like school work from where I am sitting. all these questions can be answered by proper research on the internet, but we are not here to do your work for you. if this is not some assignment set, please accept my appologies.

pixellany 05-21-2006 01:52 PM

agreed--the test is actually fairly simple: so far, he is a "one-poster". If we don't hear from him again, it was for sure homework.

SkyEye 05-21-2006 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acid_kewpie
this looks an awful lot like school work from where I am sitting. all these questions can be answered by proper research on the internet, but we are not here to do your work for you. if this is not some assignment set, please accept my appologies.

You know what I felt when I saw the post (even before I saw what acid said). "That is an awful lot for a newbie (no offence intented, just the member class)". From the questions it looks like school work to me too. We would not fend off enthusiasts though. But I agree with acid: LQ is here to help, but sorry, we can't do your homework.

BTW, ranjeet if you are really interested in this stuff, do your own research (googling is not difficult) and come back on this thread. LQ will always have someone for your help :)

ranjeet_badhe 05-21-2006 09:41 PM

I have had read lot of stuff on Internet regarding my Queries but unable to get the answer.
1)Everybody talks about the 512 bytes of the boot sector but no where it is clearly mentioned about the source code.
2)Is GRUB a command interpreter in it self ?
3)Is RAMdisk a part of GRUB or Kernel?
4)How grub is executable in itself ?

I am new to Linux so I asked for the help .There is no need for acid and skyeye to react bluntly if they are not in position to suggest some URL or answer my question .

I know that they are not here for me to do my work .

pixellany 05-22-2006 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranjeet_badhe
I have had read lot of stuff on Internet regarding my Queries but unable to get the answer.
1)Everybody talks about the 512 bytes of the boot sector but no where it is clearly mentioned about the source code.
2)Is GRUB a command interpreter in it self ?
3)Is RAMdisk a part of GRUB or Kernel?
4)How grub is executable in itself ?

I am new to Linux so I asked for the help .There is no need for acid and skyeye to react bluntly if they are not in position to suggest some URL or answer my question .

I know that they are not here for me to do my work .

OK--at least tell us what your project is......name of the school, etc.

1. For the source code to GRUB, start at their home page.
2. GRUB is a program. If it is running, then it accepts commands. Stage 1 is what goes on the mbr--I don't believe it accepts anything.
3. Neither--A ramdisk is a set of code that is loaded into RAM to allow the bootup to proceed under certain conditions
4. Don't understand this one....

I suggest that you grab a copy of the GRUB manual---it will answer many of your questions. (GRUB website or TLDP.org)

acid_kewpie 05-22-2006 01:25 AM

ok, well i'm not sure why you ended up with other members posting in agreement about homework... not sure how anyone benefits from that, but I can make a few comments in general about what you're asking, but your questions are not as clear as they could be...

a ramdisk is a file which contains a miniature filesystem which can be loaded into memory. often a system is held on, for example, a filesystem which is not supported by the kernel image itself - maybe the support is only available in a seperate module - so the ramdisk contains a tiny file system which includes this module and little else. once the kernel is loaded, the ramdisk is decompressed into memory and then booting continues. so basically it gives extra backup and file resources to the kernel on boot. ramdisks are a kernel thing, and all decent linux bootloaders can source them for the system.

stage one is the part of grub that lives in the mbr or other partition boot sectors. due to the size limitations of the mbr this space has to be used very very carefully, and grub works in the stage1 area to do some checks and makes it's way to a configuration file and binaries held in /boot/grub/ on your system for more data and commands to process. this is stage2, where things get a lot more advanced, and prettier too.

SkyEye 05-25-2006 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranjeet_badhe
I am new to Linux so I asked for the help .There is no need for acid and skyeye to react bluntly if they are not in position to suggest some URL or answer my question .

I know that they are not here for me to do my work .

OK, now hat did I tell you to get so aggravated? I just said if you are really interested, come back on this thread, right? Did you read what I posted? It was like an authentication "enter the text you see" like thing :) And of course, sorry for not welcoming you as I usually do to new members. Welcome to LQ! :Pengy:

And then to what you are asking. First of all GNU GRUB is a bootloader. It has a manual which might give you details you are searching. It is well detailed. And GRUB has command interpretation ability. For example it can provide you with a shell like environment. And about RAM disk, it's a part of neither kernel or GRUB.

It's the way you ask lead the people to think you are doing a project. For example the question you asked about source code doesn't make any sense. And what do you mean by "How grub is executable in itself" is not clear. GRUB has the ability to run arbitary (as it states :) commands. That's why using a GRUB password is always encouraged. I guess you get a good picture about RAM disk and bootloader stages in acids post. Hope these were helpful.

It's high time to mention a few things before I finish my post. Don't get cross with us, we'd love to have you around :) Remember, LQ is a very friendly and helpful place. It's reputed for being friendly and is very popular. This active community of FOSS enthusiasts is what kept me hanging around, as for the other active members too. What is requested from members is very small, like give detailed clear descriptions of their problems, do self research before posting. You were somewhat lucky to get me and acid on this. Some members might have just ignored you or kicked you :) So no need to get into a tone like that. You are welcome here, as long as you want to be.

ranjeet_badhe 05-25-2006 09:50 PM

Thanks Skyeye and acid I am reading about grub and RAMdisk right now.Will get back to you if I require any help.


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