Debian Ramdisk 2005-04-26 (Sarge)
Debian Ramdisk 2005-04-26 [MD5] is a root file system that is derived from the Debian (Sarge) distribution and is trimmed down to fit (compressed) in a 5MB partition in on-board flash. The bootloader will copy the ramdisk.gz image from on-board flash or an ATA flash card into RAM where the kernel will find and uncompress it during start up.
Usage
To use it, download the ramdisk.gz image from the link above and copy it to an ATA flash card. Also copy onto the card, the kernel zImage file for the kernel you want to use. This README.txt file provides more information on using the ramdisk. See the main README.txt for the 2005-04-26 ADS Debian release for detailed information about the root filesystems.
NOTE: The root filesystems no longer run two serial logins; instead, only a single getty process is run and this parameter controls which serial line can be used for logins. If you are using a kernel prior to 2.4.27-adsx4 you will need a cmdline.txt file for the ramdisk (and other root filesystems) to set up the serial login on the debug port of the BitsyX, since the root filesystems default to ttyS0.
On the BitsyX, use this cmdline.txt:
console=ttyS1,38400 rw SERIALGETTY=ttyS1 ramdisk_size=12288 initrd=0xA0800000,5m root=/dev/ram mtdparts=pxa:256k(adslinux.rom),1536k(zImage),5m(ramdisk.gz),-(flashfs1)
On AGX, GCX and VGX, use this cmdline.txt:console=ttyS0,38400 rw SERIALGETTY=ttyS0 ramdisk_size=12288 initrd=0xA0800000,5m root=/dev/ram mtdparts=pxa:256k(adslinux.rom),1536k(zImage),5m(ramdisk.gz),-(flashfs1)
Please note the addition of the SERIALGETTY parameter in the command line.
On your ADS System, set the first dip switch to ON (Flash Update Mode), insert the card, and boot your system. The kernel and ramdisk root file system will be loaded from the card, and Linux will start. Booting from the card this way allows you to try different kernels and ramdisks until you satisfied - without having to erase and reprogram on-flash memory.
If and when you want to install the kernel and ramdisk and boot from on-board flash, instead of the ATA flash card, create a file named ProgramFlash.ads! on the card and reboot the system. The bootloader will erase everything in on-board flash (except the bootloader itself) and program (copy) the images on the ATA card to on-board flash. The kernel and ramdisk will be loaded from on-board flash and the ramdisk will be uncompressed and mounted when Linux starts.
Delete the ProgramFlash.ads! file and remove the ATA flash card to prevent an unnecessary erase/reprogramming of on-board flash the next time you reboot. See the bootloader manual for more information on the dip switch settings and boot options.
HistoryThis is the sixth ramdisk from Applied Data Systems that is derived from Debian. It supercedes our previous ramdisk release from 2004-10-07.
This ramdisk is very similar to the previous Debian-based ramdisk. If you have used non-Debian based ramdisks from us in the past, however, you will find many similarities but also differences. Most of the utilities (e.g. ls, cd, and cp) are provided by busybox in both ramdisks and will work in the same manner. On the other hand, many of the programs (e.g minicom) and daemons (in.telnetd) have been replaced with similar items. Also, the Debian distribution has a different layout for things like /etc/rc.d so you may need to search a little bit if you can't find something where you expect it.
We have tried to preserve and extend the functionality of our old ramdisks in the new one. Please let us know if there is something you miss in the new ramdisk.
Updated 5-17-05 by jmalone -> Additional note about the cmdline.txt
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Debian Ramdisk 2005-04-26
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Posted - 17 May 2005 : 16:08:04
