[W12.bis.dssnp] debian package for the Kernel

[Natanael Arndt]

Am 15.12.2012 20:11, schrieb Jonas Smedegaard:
> Quoting Natanael Arndt (2012-12-15 14:00:53)
>> Am 14.12.2012 23:07, schrieb Jonas Smedegaard:
>>> Quoting Sebastian Tramp (2012-12-14 21:22:08)
>>>> @nate: Can you provide a kernel package for us as described here: 
>>>> http://newbiedoc.sourceforge.net/system/kernel-pkg.html
>>> Uhm, that document was last edited in 2003, and first step is to 
>>> create a boot floppy. :-/
>>>
>>> It might nowadays be as simple as doing a "make deb" directly from 
>>> unpacked source tree (after configuring).
>>>
>>> Else the best documentation on building based on the official Debian 
>>> kernel packages is probably this: 
>>> http://kernel-handbook.alioth.debian.org/ch-common-tasks.html#s-common-official
>>>
>>> It would be quite nice if you you enable most possible modules (i.e. 
>>> base your configuration on most recent armhf config).
>> Currently a normal debian package will work,
> I guess you really mean that a normal Debian package will *not* work...
>
>
>> because the uImage is on the boot partition [1], which is currently 
>> not mounted into the root filesystem on run time.
>> We can mount it with
>>     mount /dev/mmcblk0p1 /boot/
> If you are right that normal Debian packages (i.e. the structuring of 
> installed files) won't fit the needs of the partition needed by 
> hardware/u-boot then really it is an indication that you are talking 
> about a _different_ partition.
>
> Please let's refer to that as the "bootloader partition.
>
> Yes, I know that http://linux-sunxi.org/FirstSteps calls that partition 
> a "boot partition" but that really confuses matters: This bootloader 
> partition has special requirements dictated by hardware and u-boot, 
> whereas the /boot folder which _may_ be on a separate partition has 
> special requirements dictated by the Debian kernel packages.
>
> Other bootloaders like refit, grub, aboot etcetera may try to extend the 
> use of the boot dir/partition, but only as long as their use coexist 
> nicely with the kernel package use of that area.
>
> So please make Debian-style kernel package, and then _copy_ the needed 
> core files from the /boot dir of the root partition to the proper place 
> and name in the bootloader partition.
>
> Long-term that copying should probably be moved to either u-boot-tools 
> or flash-kernel.
>
>
>> So we have to find out if there are any special things regarding the 
>> boot process we have to pay attention to and if the normal debian 
>> kernel packages can this. Furthermore I currently don't know a way how 
>> to have multiple kernels on the system and what would happen if 
>> multiple kernel packages are installed.
> You are here talking about classic issues handled (I believe) in 
> u-boot-tools and/or flash-kernel - I sincerely believe it is wrong to 
> try make the kernel package handle that.
>
> ...and I sincerely believe it is silly (no offense intended) to reinvent 
> the wheel: Please consider joining the #emdebian chatrum at OFTC and 
> discuss such issues with those who have fought similar issues for years!
>
>
> Kind regards,
>
>  - Jonas
Thank you, I actually hoped you would give us such a pointer :-)

Nate