[uClinux-dev] how to add new linux kernel into snapgear (and the uClinux)? and

[Tao Wang]

1) snapgear (and uclinux) has integrated lots of applications and tools, along with linux kernel, so, what should I do when I plan to add a new hardware architecture or platform support into snapgear (and uClinux) framework? What are the steps? Such as how to add MIPs64 kernel into snapgear (and uClinux) framework????

2) To use ramdisk(and initrd) as the root fs in snapgear(uClinux) environment, we can specify 'kernel command line' to the bootloader, such as redboot and u-boot, which include something like "root=/dev/ram initrd=0xABCDEF,nnM". Alternatively, we can specify CONFIG_INITRD_START and CONFIG_INITRD_SIZE (these 2 can be found in linux-2.4.24uc0) when make linux kernel configuration. So, what is the difference between these 2 methods, especially in boot process? When I package zImage and ramdisk together as one image file, which boot methods metioned above should be use? 
    For example, with Redboot as bootloader, we can load -r -b 0x800000 zImage, load -r -b 0x4000000 ramdisk.gz, and exec 0x8000000 -c "console=ttyS0,115200 root=/dev/ram initrd=0x4000000,11M mem=256M at 0x0000000 panic=2", boot process is OK.
    Then, with CONFIG_INITRD_START and CONFIG_INITRD_SIZE set properly, we can use load -r -b 0x800000 wholeimage, then exec -c "console=ttyS0,115200 root=/dev/ram mem=256M at 0x000000 panic=2", boot process is OK.
    So, what is the difference between these methods?
    Finally, whether CONFIG_INITRD_START and CONFIG_INITRD_SIZE are set not, we can use load -r -b 0x800000 zImage, load -r -b 0x974800 ramdisk.gz, then exec 0x800000 -c "console=ttyS0,115200 root=/dev/ram initrd=0x974800,11M mem=256M at 0x000000 panic=2", however, boot process is wrong with not mounting rootfs (can not find ramdisk, no magic).
    So, why this method fails?
    I hope I have express my questions clearly, and any idea is welcome!
    Thank you and regards,
    
            Aug-1-2006

 		
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