Tiny Core Base > Raspberry Pi
Custom OS for Raspberry Pi Zero
ashfame:
Hi,
Amazing project, congratulations to everyone who has been contributing to the project. I have been trying to build a custom linux OS using buildroot to build an air-gapped specific-purpose device, when I discovered TinyCore linux & its default behavior is exactly what I want.
I want an immutable OS instance completely loaded into memory, with the support of ejecting bootable media after boot up. Run my self-contained binary, interact with it and power off by simply switching off the power directly.
I have read the TinyCore Book to understand how a lot of things work but still can use some help :)
I understand the bare minimum OS is the one that contains a kernel file & initrd file, with additional extensions in a tce directory, especially tce/optional, which can be auto-loaded into memory by creating a copy2fs.flg file & my own program can be launched by adding a launch command in /opt/bootlocal.sh script.
Q1) Does that sound accurate conceptually?
This is my first time attempting to build a custom linux OS, but I think Raspberry Pi doesn't need a MBR (Master Boot Record) like x86 arch, it simply needs a config.txt file with the information as to where the kernel file is and where the initrd file is.
Q2) Would you say that is correct?
Similarly cmdline.txt file for specifying boot codes?
Q3) Am I right about that?
Q4) How do I find details about the extensions that are listed on http://tinycorelinux.net/11.x/armv6/tcz/? Is there a page with details such as name, functionality, dependencies etc?
I only need x-server for display & webcam support to begin with.
Thank you so much in advance!
Rich:
Hi ashfame
Welcome to the forum.
--- Quote from: ashfame on July 06, 2020, 06:16:27 PM --- ... I understand the bare minimum OS is the one that contains a kernel file & initrd file, with additional extensions in a tce directory, especially tce/optional, which can be auto-loaded into memory by creating a copy2fs.flg file & my own program can be launched by adding a launch command in /opt/bootlocal.sh script.
Q1) Does that sound accurate conceptually? ...
--- End quote ---
Yes. Be aware, if your program requires the GUI or network to be up, it should be launched from ~/.X.d/.
--- Quote --- ... Q2) Would you say that is correct? ...
----- Snip -----
... Q3) Am I right about that? ...
--- End quote ---
I don't use Pi so I can't answer with 100% certainty, but I believe that is correct. I'm sure one of the smart kids will correct me if I'm wrong.
--- Quote --- ... Q4) How do I find details about the extensions that are listed on http://tinycorelinux.net/11.x/armv6/tcz/? Is there a page with details such as name, functionality, dependencies etc? ...
--- End quote ---
Once you have a GUI up and running on the Pi the Apps utility can be used for that. If necessary, you can use your web browser too.
For example, if you go to http://tinycorelinux.net/11.x/armv6/tcz/ and want some information about Xorg.tcz.
This is the .info file. It may be sparse or contain additional information on using the program. It varies by extension:
http://tinycorelinux.net/11.x/armv6/tcz/Xorg.tcz.info
These are the extensions that are direct dependencies:
http://tinycorelinux.net/11.x/armv6/tcz/Xorg.tcz.dep
This shows the entire dependency tree which includes all dependencies:
http://tinycorelinux.net/11.x/armv6/tcz/Xorg.tcz.tree
This is the list of all files contained in the extension:
http://tinycorelinux.net/11.x/armv6/tcz/Xorg.tcz.list
This is the extensions MD5 (checksum) file:
http://tinycorelinux.net/11.x/armv6/tcz/Xorg.tcz.md5.txt
This is the extension itself:
http://tinycorelinux.net/11.x/armv6/tcz/Xorg.tcz
ashfame:
Hi Rich, thanks for the welcome :)
--- Quote ---Yes. Be aware, if your program requires the GUI or network to be up, it should be launched from ~/.X.d/.
--- End quote ---
Good point!
--- Quote ---Once you have a GUI up and running on the Pi the Apps utility can be used for that. If necessary, you can use your web browser too.
For example, if you go to http://tinycorelinux.net/11.x/armv6/tcz/ and want some information about Xorg.tcz.
--- End quote ---
The only ARM device I have the moment is the Raspberry Pi Zero (non-W), so no network capabilities. I specifically looked for this unit cuz of my use-case of an air-gapped device, so I can't run TinyLinux on it and customize it using Apps utility. I must do this on a regular linux box. Thanks for the links though, that's quite helpful, but I am still left wondering about packages like:
flwm.tcz vs flwm_topside.tcz - which one should I use? what's the diff?
Also essentially while choosing & copying over tcz files manually, I must check their dependencies and copy them over too. Also, check dependencies of dependencies as well, right? Can write a script for that.
Rich:
Hi ashfame
--- Quote from: ashfame on July 07, 2020, 03:49:15 AM --- ... flwm.tcz vs flwm_topside.tcz - which one should I use? what's the diff? ...
--- End quote ---
flwm has the titlebar and and buttons on the left edge of the windows. flwm_topside has them on the top edge where they belong. ;D
--- Quote --- ... Also essentially while choosing & copying over tcz files manually, I must check their dependencies and copy them over too. Also, check dependencies of dependencies as well, right? Can write a script for that.
--- End quote ---
Look over here:
http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,23034.msg144013.html#msg144013
ashfame:
--- Quote from: Rich on July 07, 2020, 07:30:46 AM ---Hi ashfame
flwm has the titlebar and and buttons on the left edge of the windows. flwm_topside has them on the top edge where they belong. ;D
--- End quote ---
oh damn, haha.
--- Quote ---Look over here:
http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,23034.msg144013.html#msg144013
--- End quote ---
That's perfect, thanks much! :)
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