Linux Kernels for the NetWinder =============================== Kernels for the NetWinder can be found in the source/ and binary/ directories, respectively. The kernels are now being distributed in RPM format; the `mc' program can be used to browse and extract files from the RPMS if you don't wish to install using the normal rpm tool. Old kernels are now in the old-kernel directory. Please see the README in that directory for more information about those kernels. The main reason for moving them was because the naming convention and the format of the distribution differs. These kernels require recent firmware to operate, because they expect parameters to be passed via a `param struct' rather than on the command line, like the old kernel/firmware used to do. For more information, see the compatibility page at http://netwinder.org/~ralphs/compat.html (yes it is ugly, I will make it pretty some other day). For more information on installation and usage of the kernels on the NetWinder please see the Kernel-HOWTO, available on the "Projects" page on http://www.netwinder.org. FILE NAMES: ========== The binary directory is for people who don't wish to compile their own kernels. For each kernel, two files need to be installed (using the command "rpm -i filename.rpm") kernel-VERSION-DATE.armv4l.rpm kernel-headers-VERSION-DATE.armv4l.rpm The first file contains the kernel /boot/vmlinux-VERSION-DATE as well as the corresponding kernel modules in /lib/modules/ directory. Installing the RPM will install the files and create symbolic links in the /boot directory, so that upon reboot the new kernel will run. Be sure to note the name of your previous kernel, just in case you need to switch back to it. The source directory contains the kernel sources also in RPM format as well as in tarball form. Patches from the previous version are also available (when feasible). Installing the source-RPM package will place the kernel source code under /usr/src. Note that this source package does not contain the kernel header files, since they have their own package. Therefore to be complete, both kernel-source and kernel-headers must be installed. DESCRIPTIONS: ============ Kernels are identified by their date of release, in the form YYMMDD. The following descriptions give a summary of the major changes and features. 990121 ------ The first kernel in RPM format, used on the NetWinder GS and a few other products. This is a 2.0.35 kernel for use with NeTTrom 2.0.6 (firmware). Implements the "standard" parameter passing structure (instead of passing everything on a command line) for getting boot-time variables passed to the main kernel. Other highlights in this kernel include: 'make xconfig' now works, sound configuration is now working (no more 'old sound config'), enhancements to the parallel port drivers (and EPP mode by default). 990622 ------ Probably the last 2.0.35 kernel, since 2.2 is now working nicely on the NetWinder. Main change is to support SCSI as the daughtercard is now being shipped. Summary of changes since the last version: * Serial driver default speed now 115kbs to match 2.1.1 firmware * Register R10 saved during context switch (non-PIC code might use it) * PCI support added (eg. /proc/pci contains meaningful info) * initrd support compiled in (was missing from 990121) * setup-vnc updated to support booting from ram disk * IP firewalling, masquerading support built-in * Multiple algorithms for IP masquerade (matthewk@netwinder.org) * SCSI support for Symbios 53c8xx (thanks patb@netwinder.org) as a module * System name changed from "Corel VNC" to "NetWinder" in /proc/cpuinfo * IGS driver (framebuffer) no longer hardcoded to 2MB video ram * Sound driver (waveartist) updates - better handling of private bits * Kernel symbol versioning disabled (too much grief) * Compiled with -fno-strict-aliasing to avoid egcs problems * Missing header files tv.h and joystick.h added 990827 (cvs tag 2_2_9-3) ------ This is the first officially released 2.2 series kernel. It requires firmware >= 2.0.8; the recommended firmware is 2.1.7 which is now official. Installing this kernel on a build #12 DM will work, but several of the system services won't function (for example, sound doesn't load, klogd will segfault upon startup, etc). There is a page to help with this update at http://netwinder.org/~ralphs/kern-2-2-9.html (it is a work in progress, please send feedback to me). 20000121 (cvs tag 2_2_13-2) -------- With this kernel we usher in a Y2K-compliant naming convention :) This kernel includes several performance and stability fixes, particularly in the tulip driver (eth1) and an exit-from-interrupt issue. There have also been corrections to portmap/nfs, the watchdog timer is now built-in, and support for the new IGS 2010 video chip is included. The framebuffer device supports "video=800x600" command line arguments to set the default resolution, and a "fake" power down mode is now implemented. There were some corrections to the sound driver, and support for ppp-over-ethernet is available (as a module). Note that ip defragmentation is now a run-time option that defaults to *off*. This kernel will be shipped with the dm-3.1-15 and officeserver-1.5 products. 20000612 (cvs tag 2_2_14-2) -------- Upgrade to kernel 2.2.14, with the linux capabilities bug fix backported from version 2.2.16. Includes FreeS/WAN support, and a kernel masquerade module for VPN. You will need recent modutils package to install and run this kernel, and binutils 2.9.5 if you wish to compile from source. Other changes include various printk() tidy-ups, and the serial driver is now compiled in by default, so that serial debugging can be done. A bug with setsockopt() was fixed, a divide-by-zero in the cyberpro was fixed, the NWFPE now initializes the AC bit in the fpsr. The PLIP driver is broken, though its been fixed in the (unofficial) 20000621 version.