ARM Linux 2.1.99 ================ Since this is a development kernel, it will not be as stable as the 2.0 series, and can cause very nasty problems (eg, trashing your hard disk). When running one of these kernels, I advise you to back up the complete contents of all your hard disks. Contributors ------------ Here is a list of people actively working on the project (If you wish to be added to the list, please email me): Name: Russell King Mail: linux@arm.uk.linux.org Desc: Original developer of ARM Linux, project co-ordinator. Name: Dave Gilbert Mail: linux@treblig.org Desc: A3/4/5xx floppy and hard disk code maintainer. Name: Philip Blundell Mail: Philip.Blundell@pobox.com Desc: Architecture and processor selection during make config. Todo list --------- This is the list of changes to be done (roughly prioritised): * fully test new MEMC translation code * fully test new AcornSCSI driver. * reply to email ;) Notes ===== Compilation of kernel --------------------- In order to compile ARM Linux, you will need a compiler capable of generating ARM ELF code with GNU extensions. GCC-2.7.2.2 is good. To build ARM Linux natively, you shouldn't have to alter the ARCH = line in the top level Makefile. However, if you don't have the ARM Linux ELF tools installed as default, then you should change the CROSS_COMPILE line as detailed below. If you wish to cross-compile, then alter the following lines in the top level make file: ARCH = with ARCH = arm and CROSS_COMPILE= to CROSS_COMPILE= eg. CROSS_COMPILE=/usr/bin/arm-unknown-linuxelf- Do a 'make config', followed by 'make dep', and finally 'make all' to build the kernel (vmlinux). A compressed image can be built by doing a 'make zImage' instead of 'make all'. Bug reports etc. ---------------- Please send patches, bug reports and code for the ARM Linux project to linux@arm.uk.linux.org. Patches will not be included into future kernels unless they come to me (or the relevant person concerned). When sending bug reports, please ensure that they contain all relevant information, eg. the kernel messages that were printed before/during the problem, what you were doing, etc. For patches, please include some explanation as to what the patch does and why (if relevant). Modules ------- Although modularisation is supported (and required for the FP emulator), each module on an arm2/arm250/arm3 machine when is loaded will take memory up to the next 32k boundary due to the size of the pages. Hence is modularisation on these machines really worth it? However, arm6 and up machines allow modules to take multiples of 4k, and as such Acorn RiscPCs and other architectures using these processors can make good use of modularisation. ADFS Image files ---------------- You can access image files on your ADFS partitions by mounting the ADFS partition, and then using the loopback device driver. You must have losetup installed. Please note that the PCEmulator DOS partitions have a partition table at the start, and as such, you will have to give '-o offset' to losetup. Kernel initialisation abort codes --------------------------------- When the kernel is unable to boot, it will if possible display a colour at the top of the screen. The colours have the following significance when run in a 16 colour mode with the default palette: Stripes of white, red, yellow, and green: Kernel does not support the processor architecture detected. Request to developers --------------------- When writing device drivers which include a separate assembler file, please include it in with the C file, and not the arch/arm/lib directory. This allows the driver to be compiled as a loadable module without requiring half the code to be compiled into the kernel image. In general, try to avoid using assembler unless it is really necessary. It makes drivers far less easy to port to other hardware. ST506 hard drives ----------------- The ST506 hard drive controllers seem to be working fine (if a little slowly). At the moment they will only work off the controllers on an A4x0's motherboard, but for it to work off a Podule just requires someone with a podule to add the addresses for the IRQ mask and the HDC base to the source. As of 31/3/96 it works with two drives (you should get the ADFS *configure hard drive set to 2). I've got an internal 20 MB and a great big external 5.25" FH 64 MB drive (who could ever want more :-) ). I've just got 240 K/s off it (a dd with bs=128k); that's about half of what RiscOS gets, but it's a heck of a lot better than the 50 K/s I was getting last week :-) Known bug: Drive data errors can cause a hang; including cases where the controller has fixed the error using ECC. (Possibly ONLY in that case...hmm). 1772 Floppy ----------- This also seems to work OK, but hasn't been stressed much lately. It hasn't got any code for disc change detection in there at the moment which could be a bit of a problem! Suggestions on the correct way to do this are welcome. Kernel entry (head-armv.S) -------------------------- The initial entry into the kernel made via head-armv.S uses architecture independent code. The architecture is selected by the value of 'r1' on entry, which must be kept unique. You can register a new architecture by mailing the following details to rmk@arm.uk.linux.org. Please give the mail a subject of 'Register new architecture': Name: ARCHDIR: Description: Please follow this format - it is an automated system. You should receive a reply the next day. --- Russell King (03/05/1998)