Question on the microcore Linux kernel

[lid]

You could run a diff between some newly built modules and their correspondent ones in stock cpio archive.

I know the initramfs (inside original core.gz) modules live in lib/modules/3.0.21-tinycore/kernel/. But I am not sure where those corresponding modules live inside the kernel tree after compile.

 Plus, I am rebuilding the kernel with 64 bit support. The original core.gz is 32 bit. So how can I make sure which modules need to be updated in the initramfs for the rebuilt kernel?

[Juanito]

I know the initramfs (inside original core.gz) modules live in lib/modules/3.0.21-tinycore/kernel/. But I am not sure where those corresponding modules live inside the kernel tree after compile.

From this:

modprobe: chdir (3.0.21-tinycore 64+) No such file or dir

..I'd say you need to put the modules in /lib/modules/3.0.21-tinycore 64+

[tinypoodle]

You mustn't mix up 64bit with 32bit of base or module extensions.

http://wiki.tinycorelinux.net/wiki:remastering

[curaga]

You never mentioned what you were building on

We assumed TC 32-bit, but it seems you're building on something else 64-bit?

[lid]

You never mentioned what you were building on

We assumed TC 32-bit, but it seems you're building on something else 64-bit?

sorry about that. yes, my build machine is 64 bit.

I think originally I used the stock 32 bit microcore kernel and initramfs to pxeboot. Now I am trying to compile the kernel myself on a 64 bit machine. If I want to stick to the 32 bit, then what I should have done is this:

make oldconfig ARCH=x86
make ARCH=0x86

Hopefully this recompiled 32-bit kernel will be able to use the original core.gz without issues.
I am trying this now, will let you know.

David

[lid]

You never mentioned what you were building on

We assumed TC 32-bit, but it seems you're building on something else 64-bit?

sorry about that. yes, my build machine is 64 bit.

I think originally I used the stock 32 bit microcore kernel and initramfs to pxeboot. Now I am trying to compile the kernel myself on a 64 bit machine. If I want to stick to the 32 bit, then what I should have done is this:

make oldconfig ARCH=x86
make ARCH=0x86

Hopefully this recompiled 32-bit kernel will be able to use the original core.gz without issues.
I am trying this now, will let you know.

David

All right, finally a success!
The kernel needs to be recompiled as 32 bit on the 64 bit machine with ARCH=x86.  This way it can take advantage of the existing core.gz. A good learning experience for me and thanks everyone to the help!

I am always wondering about the secret sauce - how the TC initramfs root file system was created.  Anyone knows if there is a more detailed reference on that?

[roberts]

Rob Landley of Busybox gave talks about this. Search the internet will likely produce, But that was 5+ years ago.
Now most any book on embedded Linux will have a chapter or two on the subject. The concept has been around for a very long time.
If you focus on the embedded area of Linux you will likely find much reference.

EDIT: See http://busybox.net/~landley/ols2006/presentation.txt