1 Intro
2 =====
3
4 This document is designed to provide a list of the minimum levels of
5 software necessary to run the 2.4 kernels, as well as provide brief
6 instructions regarding any other "Gotchas" users may encounter when
7 trying life on the Bleeding Edge. If upgrading from a pre-2.2.x
8 kernel, please consult the Changes file included with 2.2.x kernels for
9 additional information; most of that information will not be repeated
10 here. Basically, this document assumes that your system is already
11 functional and running at least 2.2.x kernels.
12
13 This document is originally based on my "Changes" file for 2.0.x kernels
14 and therefore owes credit to the same people as that file (Jared Mauch,
15 Axel Boldt, Alessandro Sigala, and countless other users all over the
16 'net).
17
18 The latest revision of this document, in various formats, can always
19 be found at <http://cyberbuzz.gatech.edu/kaboom/linux/Changes-2.4/>.
20
21 Feel free to translate this document. If you do so, please send me a
22 URL to your translation for inclusion in future revisions of this
23 document.
24
25 Smotrite file <http://oblom.rnc.ru/linux/kernel/Changes.ru>, yavlyaushisya
26 russkim perevodom dannogo documenta.
27
28 Visite <http://www2.adi.uam.es/~ender/tecnico/> para obtener la traducción
29 al español de este documento en varios formatos.
30
31 Eine deutsche Version dieser Datei finden Sie unter
32 <http://www.stefan-winter.de/Changes-2.4.0.txt>.
33
34 Last updated: December 11, 2000
35
36 Chris Ricker (kaboom@gatech.edu or chris.ricker@genetics.utah.edu).
37
38 Current Minimal Requirements
39 ============================
40
41 Upgrade to at *least* these software revisions before thinking you've
42 encountered a bug! If you're unsure what version you're currently
43 running, the suggested command should tell you.
44
45 Again, keep in mind that this list assumes you are already
46 functionally running a Linux 2.2 kernel. Also, not all tools are
47 necessary on all systems; obviously, if you don't have any PCMCIA (PC
48 Card) hardware, for example, you probably needn't concern yourself
49 with pcmcia-cs.
50
51 o Gnu C 2.91.66 # gcc --version
52 o Gnu make 3.77 # make --version
53 o binutils 2.9.1.0.25 # ld -v
54 o util-linux 2.10o # fdformat --version
55 o modutils 2.4.0 # insmod -V
56 o e2fsprogs 1.19 # tune2fs --version
57 o pcmcia-cs 3.1.21 # cardmgr -V
58 o PPP 2.4.0 # pppd --version
59 o isdn4k-utils 3.1pre1 # isdnctrl 2>&1|grep version
60
61 Kernel compilation
62 ==================
63
64 GCC
65 ---
66
67 The gcc version requirements may vary depending on the type of CPU in your
68 computer. The next paragraph applies to users of x86 CPUs, but not
69 necessarily to users of other CPUs. Users of other CPUs should obtain
70 information about their gcc version requirements from another source.
71
72 The recommended compiler for the kernel is egcs 1.1.2 (gcc 2.91.66), and it
73 should be used when you need absolute stability. You may use gcc 2.95.2
74 instead if you wish, although it may cause problems. Later versions of gcc
75 have not received much testing for Linux kernel compilation, and there are
76 almost certainly bugs (mainly, but not exclusively, in the kernel) that
77 will need to be fixed in order to use these compilers. In any case, using
78 pgcc instead of egcs or plain gcc is just asking for trouble.
79
80 Note that gcc 2.7.2.3 is no longer a supported kernel compiler. The kernel
81 no longer works around bugs in gcc 2.7.2.3 and, in fact, will refuse to
82 be compiled with it.
83
84 In addition, please pay attention to compiler optimization. Anything
85 greater than -O2 may not be wise. Similarly, if you choose to use gcc-2.95
86 or derivatives, be sure not to use -fstrict-aliasing (which, depending on
87 your version of gcc 2.95, may necessitate using -fno-strict-aliasing).
88
89 Make
90 ----
91
92 You will need Gnu make 3.77 or later to build the kernel.
93
94 Binutils
95 --------
96
97 Linux on IA-32 has recently switched from using as86 to using gas for
98 assembling the 16-bit boot code, removing the need for as86 to compile
99 your kernel. This change does, however, mean that you need a recent
100 release of binutils.
101
102 If you can, upgrade to the latest 2.9.5 binutils release. Older
103 releases such as 2.8, 2.8.xx, and the FSF's 2.9.1 should be avoided if
104 at all possible. The later releases of 2.9.1.0.x (anything where x >= 22)
105 can and do compile the kernel properly, but there are many benefits
106 to upgrading to 2.9.5 if you're up to it.
107
108 System utils
109 ============
110
111 Architectural changes
112 ---------------------
113
114 DevFS is now in the kernel. See Documentation/filesystems/devfs/* in
115 the kernel source tree for all the gory details.
116
117 System V shared memory is now implemented via a virtual filesystem.
118 You do not have to mount it to use it. SYSV shared memory limits are
119 set via /proc/sys/kernel/shm{max,all,mni}. You should mount the
120 filesystem under /dev/shm to be able to use POSIX shared
121 memory. Adding the following line to /etc/fstab should take care of
122 things:
123
124 none /dev/shm shm defaults 0 0
125
126 Remember to create the directory that you intend to mount shm on if
127 necessary (The entry is automagically created if you use devfs). You
128 can set limits for the number of blocks and inodes used by the
129 filesystem with the mount options nr_blocks and nr_inodes.
130
131 The Logical Volume Manager (LVM) is now in the kernel. If you want to
132 use this, you'll need to install the necessary LVM toolset.
133
134 32-bit UID support is now in place. Have fun!
135
136 Linux documentation for functions is transitioning to inline
137 documentation via specially-formatted comments near their
138 definitions in the source. These comments can be combined with the
139 SGML templates in the Documentation/DocBook directory to make DocBook
140 files, which can then be converted by DocBook stylesheets to PostScript,
141 HTML, PDF files, and several other formats. In order to convert from
142 DocBook format to a format of your choice, you'll need to install Jade as
143 well as the desired DocBook stylesheets.
144
145 Util-linux
146 ----------
147
148 New versions of util-linux provide *fdisk support for larger disks,
149 support new options to mount, recognize more supported partition
150 types, have a fdformat which works with 2.4 kernels, and similar goodies.
151 You'll probably want to upgrade.
152
153 Ksymoops
154 --------
155
156 If the unthinkable happens and your kernel oopses, you'll need a 2.4
157 version of ksymoops to decode the report; see REPORTING-BUGS in the
158 root of the Linux source for more information.
159
160 Modutils
161 --------
162
163 Upgrade to recent modutils to fix various outstanding bugs which are
164 seen more frequently under 2.3.x, and to enable auto-loading of USB
165 modules. In addition, the layout of modules under
166 /lib/modules/`uname -r`/ has been made more sane. This change also
167 requires that you upgrade to a recent modutils.
168
169 Mkinitrd
170 --------
171
172 These changes to the /lib/modules file tree layout also require that
173 mkinitrd be upgraded.
174
175 E2fsprogs
176 ---------
177
178 The latest version of e2fsprogs fixes several bugs in fsck and
179 debugfs. Obviously, it's a good idea to upgrade.
180
181 Pcmcia-cs
182 ---------
183
184 PCMCIA (PC Card) support is now partially implemented in the main
185 kernel source. Pay attention when you recompile your kernel ;-).
186 Also, be sure to upgrade to the latest pcmcia-cs release.
187
188 Intel IA32 microcode
189 --------------------
190
191 A driver has been added to allow updating of Intel IA32 microcode,
192 accessible as both a devfs regular file and as a normal (misc)
193 character device. If you are not using devfs you may need to:
194
195 mkdir /dev/cpu
196 mknod /dev/cpu/microcode c 10 184
197 chmod 0644 /dev/cpu/microcode
198
199 as root before you can use this. You'll probably also want to
200 get the user-space microcode_ctl utility to use with this.
201
202 If you have compiled the driver as a module you may need to add
203 the following line:
204
205 alias char-major-10-184 microcode
206
207 to your /etc/modules.conf file.
208
209 Networking
210 ==========
211
212 General changes
213 ---------------
214
215 The IP firewalling and NAT code has been replaced again. The new
216 netfilter software (including ipfwadm and ipchains backwards-
217 compatible modules) is currently distributed separately.
218
219 If you have advanced network configuration needs, you should probably
220 consider using the network tools from ip-route2.
221
222 PPP
223 ---
224
225 The PPP driver has been restructured to support multilink and to
226 enable it to operate over diverse media layers. If you use PPP,
227 upgrade pppd to at least 2.4.0b1.
228
229 If you are not using devfs, you must have the device file /dev/ppp
230 which can be made by:
231
232 mknod /dev/ppp c 108 0
233
234 as root.
235
236 If you build ppp support as modules, you will need the following in
237 your /etc/modules.conf file:
238
239 alias char-major-108 ppp_generic
240 alias /dev/ppp ppp_generic
241 alias tty-ldisc-3 ppp_async
242 alias tty-ldisc-14 ppp_synctty
243 alias ppp-compress-21 bsd_comp
244 alias ppp-compress-24 ppp_deflate
245 alias ppp-compress-26 ppp_deflate
246
247 If you use devfsd and build ppp support as modules, you will need
248 the following in your /etc/devfsd.conf file:
249
250 LOOKUP PPP MODLOAD
251
252 Isdn4k-utils
253 ------------
254
255 Due to changes in the length of the phone number field, isdn4k-utils
256 needs to be recompiled or (preferably) upgraded.
257
258 Getting updated software
259 ========================
260
261 Compilers
262 *********
263
264 egcs 1.1.2 (gcc 2.91.66)
265 ---------
266 o <ftp://ftp.valinux.com/pub/support/hjl/gcc/egcs-1.1.2/egcs-1.1.2-glibc.x86.tar.bz2>
267 o <ftp://ftp.valinux.com/pub/support/hjl/gcc/egcs-1.1.2/egcs-1.1.2-libc5.x86.tar.bz2>
268 o <ftp://ftp.valinux.com/pub/support/hjl/gcc/egcs-1.1.2/egcs-1.1.2-alpha.tar.bz2>
269
270 Binutils
271 ********
272
273 2.9.1 series
274 ------------
275 o <ftp://ftp.valinux.com/pub/support/hjl/binutils/2.9.1/binutils-2.9.1.0.25.tar.gz>
276
277 2.10 series
278 ------------
279 o <ftp://ftp.valinux.com/pub/support/hjl/binutils/binutils-2.10.0.24.tar.bz2>
280
281 System utilities
282 ****************
283
284 Util-linux
285 ----------
286 o <ftp://ftp.win.tue.nl/pub/linux-local/utils/util-linux/util-linux-2.10o.tar.gz>
287
288 Ksymoops
289 --------
290 o <ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/kernel/ksymoops/v2.4>
291
292 Modutils
293 --------
294 o <ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/kernel/modutils/v2.4/>
295
296 Mkinitrd
297 --------
298 o <ftp://rawhide.redhat.com/pub/rawhide/SRPMS/SRPMS/mkinitrd-2.5-1.src.rpm>
299
300 E2fsprogs
301 ---------
302 o <ftp://download.sourceforge.net/pub/sourceforge/e2fsprogs/e2fsprogs-1.19.tar.gz>
303 o <ftp://download.sourceforge.net/pub/sourceforge/e2fsprogs/e2fsprogs-1.19.src.rpm>
304
305 LVM toolset
306 -----------
307 o <http://linux.msede.com/lvm/>
308
309 Pcmcia-cs
310 ---------
311 o <ftp://pcmcia-cs.sourceforge.net/pub/pcmcia-cs/pcmcia-cs-3.1.21.tar.gz>
312
313 Jade
314 ----
315 o <ftp://ftp.jclark.com/pub/jade/jade-1.2.1.tar.gz>
316
317 DocBook Stylesheets
318 -------------------
319 o <http://nwalsh.com/docbook/dsssl/>
320
321 Intel P6 microcode
322 ------------------
323 o <http://www.urbanmyth.org/microcode/>
324
325 Network
326 *******
327
328 PPP
329 ---
330 o <ftp://linuxcare.com.au/pub/ppp/ppp-2.4.0.tar.gz>
331
332 Isdn4k-utils
333 ------------
334 o <ftp://ftp.isdn4linux.de/pub/isdn4linux/utils/testing/isdn4k-utils.v3.1beta7.tar.gz>
335
336 Netfilter
337 ---------
338 o <http://netfilter.filewatcher.org/iptables-1.2.tar.bz2>
339 o <http://netfilter.samba.org/iptables-1.2.tar.bz2>
340 o <http://netfilter.kernelnotes.org/iptables-1.2.tar.bz2>
341
342 Ip-route2
343 ---------
344 o <ftp://ftp.inr.ac.ru/ip-routing/iproute2-2.2.4-now-ss991023.tar.gz>
345
346 Suggestions and corrections
347 ===========================
348
349 Please feel free to submit changes, corrections, gripes, flames,
350 money, etc. to me <chris.ricker@genetics.utah.edu>. Happy Linuxing!
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