Can't get a working kernel compile.

gtj · n00b Joined: 14 Apr 2014 Posts: 3

I recently resurrected a Sun Fire T1000 and was able to install using the "minimal" cd image. I haven't been able to compile a working kernel though and am still using the kernel and initrd from the install cd. The failure is a basic halt after "Allocated 64 Megs of memory at 0x40000000 for kernel". I've tried the current gentoo-source (3.12.13) and even the install image version (3.8.13) using the install image's config.

So, I'm thinking it's something simple like the compile environment...

The sparc handbook recommends non-multilib with sparc64-unknown linux-gnu- as the cross_compile prefix. The non-multilib stage3 has kgcc64. But no go.
I've also tried the multilib stage3 passing in "-m64" with CFLAGS_KERNEL but that didn't work either.

So now I'm stuck. Any hints? What's the currently accepted kernel compile environment?

Thanks.

Randy Andy · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 11:39 am Post subject:

Welcome to Gentoo, gtj.

Some things and preconditions are not clear to me:

- Did you try to compile the new kernel on your already installed Sun Box, then I expect the enviroment should not be the problem and no cross compile prefix should be needed.
- Did you correct the symlink on this box, to the actual kernel sources, you wish to compile for?
- How did you get/extract the running kernel config and where do you copy it. Did you go on with make oldconfig?
- Do you still use an initrd, did you use genkernel for creating that?
- Which documentation did you follow to do that?

Questions over questions I know, but it could help us, to get on the right track.

Regards, Andy.
_________________
If you want to see a Distro done right, compile it yourself!

gtj · n00b Joined: 14 Apr 2014 Posts: 3

Hi Andy,

I've been following the guide at http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/handbook-sparc.xml

Randy Andy · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 5:12 pm Post subject:

So far so good, gtj.
Your approach and your arguments seems right to me.

Some more assumptions from my side...

I've seen that prefix option since some month in newer kernels, but I've never used until now and can't say if it works reliable.
But I guess, if you boot from an already locally installed system, there is no need to use it. It will use your loacal settings out of the make.conf.

Did you already set it to:

gtj · n00b Joined: 14 Apr 2014 Posts: 3

Well, I have a booting kernel now...

After having trying so many variables, I decided to start over with a clean install.

I used the multilib stage 3 and for the kernel configuration, I skipped the part about setting the cross-compile prefix and... wound up right back where I was. Given that the kernel wasn't even being loaded I though let me try the kernel "zImage" instead of the uncompressed "image" that the handbook says to use and... It loaded!

Next, it was getting stuck finding the MPT Fusion SAS controller even though the driver was loading. So, I downloaded stock 3.8.13 kernel from kernel.org (same version as the installer kernel) and... Yes!!! I now have a fully function T1000.

So, the handbook should probably be changed to use the zImage file instead of the image file.
Although I didn't test the non-multilib I expect that it'll work if you install kgcc64 and change the cross-compile prefix to sparc64-unknown-linux-gnu.

If I have time this week, I'll roll forward through the kernel versions to see where the MPT SAS stuff stopped working. Might just be my T1000's firmware is too old for newer kernels.

EDIT:

The 3.12.13 kernel that's the default when you emerge gentoo-sources doesn't find my MPT SAS controller, but a stock 3.14.1 kernel from kernel.org works just fine. Even better.

Randy Andy · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 6:07 am Post subject:

Well done, gtj.

And if you had more time, maybe in two weeks or so, it would be great if you could send over your working specs to the Sparc Team, referenced in my post before.
Hopefully they are willing/interested in updating the outdated page with this actual results of your findings.

Furthermore much fun with your Sparc Box.

Best, Andy.
_________________
If you want to see a Distro done right, compile it yourself!

cb88 · n00b Joined: 26 Dec 2011 Posts: 28

I don't remember exactly but I think kernels 3.9.11+ up to 3.15 were having deadlock problems on the T2000 and it hung near the SAS controller in the log... could be that is what was happening. I have been running 3.9.11 gentoo-sources for over a month of uptime.

The T1000 and T2000 are very similar after all.