FreeBSD/Linux Kernel Cross Reference
sys/Documentation/Changes

     Intro
     =====
     
     This document is designed to provide a list of the minimum levels of
     software necessary to run the 2.4 kernels, as well as provide brief
     instructions regarding any other "Gotchas" users may encounter when
     trying life on the Bleeding Edge.  If upgrading from a pre-2.2.x
     kernel, please consult the Changes file included with 2.2.x kernels for
     additional information; most of that information will not be repeated
    here.  Basically, this document assumes that your system is already
    functional and running at least 2.2.x kernels.
    
    This document is originally based on my "Changes" file for 2.0.x kernels
    and therefore owes credit to the same people as that file (Jared Mauch,
    Axel Boldt, Alessandro Sigala, and countless other users all over the
    'net).
    
    The latest revision of this document, in various formats, can always
    be found at <http://cyberbuzz.gatech.edu/kaboom/linux/Changes-2.4/>.
    
    Feel free to translate this document.  If you do so, please send me a
    URL to your translation for inclusion in future revisions of this
    document.
    
    Smotrite file <http://oblom.rnc.ru/linux/kernel/Changes.ru>, yavlyaushisya
    russkim perevodom dannogo documenta.
    
    Visite <http://www2.adi.uam.es/~ender/tecnico/> para obtener la traducción
    al español de este documento en varios formatos.
    
    Eine deutsche Version dieser Datei finden Sie unter
    <http://www.stefan-winter.de/Changes-2.4.0.txt>.
    
    Last updated: February 13, 2002
    
    Chris Ricker (kaboom@gatech.edu or chris.ricker@genetics.utah.edu).
    
    Current Minimal Requirements
    ============================
    
    Upgrade to at *least* these software revisions before thinking you've
    encountered a bug!  If you're unsure what version you're currently
    running, the suggested command should tell you.
    
    Again, keep in mind that this list assumes you are already
    functionally running a Linux 2.2 kernel.  Also, not all tools are
    necessary on all systems; obviously, if you don't have any PCMCIA (PC
    Card) hardware, for example, you probably needn't concern yourself
    with pcmcia-cs.
    
    o  Gnu C                  2.95.3                  # gcc --version
    o  Gnu make               3.77                    # make --version
    o  binutils               2.9.1.0.25              # ld -v
    o  util-linux             2.10o                   # fdformat --version
    o  modutils               2.4.2                   # insmod -V
    o  e2fsprogs              1.25                    # tune2fs
    o  jfsutils               1.0.12                  # fsck.jfs -V
    o  reiserfsprogs          3.6.3                   # reiserfsck -V 2>&1|grep reiserfsprogs
    o  pcmcia-cs              3.1.21                  # cardmgr -V
    o  PPP                    2.4.0                   # pppd --version
    o  isdn4k-utils           3.1pre1                 # isdnctrl 2>&1|grep version
                              
    Kernel compilation
    ==================
    
    GCC
    ---
    
    The gcc version requirements may vary depending on the type of CPU in your
    computer. The next paragraph applies to users of x86 CPUs, but not
    necessarily to users of other CPUs. Users of other CPUs should obtain
    information about their gcc version requirements from another source.
    
    The recommended compiler for the kernel is gcc 2.95.x (x >= 3), and it
    should be used when you need absolute stability. You may use gcc 3.0.x
    instead if you wish, although it may cause problems. Later versions of gcc 
    have not received much testing for Linux kernel compilation, and there are 
    almost certainly bugs (mainly, but not exclusively, in the kernel) that
    will need to be fixed in order to use these compilers. In any case, using
    pgcc instead of egcs or plain gcc is just asking for trouble.
    
    Note that gcc 2.7.2.3 is no longer a supported kernel compiler. The kernel
    no longer works around bugs in gcc 2.7.2.3 and, in fact, will refuse to
    be compiled with it. egcs-1.1.2 has register allocation problems in very
    obscure cases. We have ensured the kernel does not trip these in any known
    situation. The 2.5 tree is likely to drop egcs-1.1.2 workarounds.
    
    The Red Hat gcc 2.96 compiler subtree can also be used to build this tree.
    You should ensure you use gcc-2.96-74 or later. gcc-2.96-54 will not build
    the kernel correctly.
    
    In addition, please pay attention to compiler optimization.  Anything
    greater than -O2 may not be wise.  Similarly, if you choose to use gcc-2.95.x
    or derivatives, be sure not to use -fstrict-aliasing (which, depending on
    your version of gcc 2.95.x, may necessitate using -fno-strict-aliasing).
    
    Make
    ----
    
   You will need Gnu make 3.77 or later to build the kernel.
   
   Binutils
   --------
   
   Linux on IA-32 has recently switched from using as86 to using gas for
   assembling the 16-bit boot code, removing the need for as86 to compile
   your kernel.  This change does, however, mean that you need a recent
   release of binutils.
   
   If you can, upgrade to the latest 2.9.5 or 2.1x binutils release.  Older
   releases such as 2.8, 2.8.xx, and the FSF's 2.9.1 should be avoided if
   at all possible.  The later releases of 2.9.1.0.x (anything where x >= 22)
   can and do compile the kernel properly, but there are many benefits in
   upgrading to 2.9.5 or 2.1x if you're up to it.
   
   System utilities
   ================
   
   Architectural changes
   ---------------------
   
   DevFS is now in the kernel.  See Documentation/filesystems/devfs/* in
   the kernel source tree for all the gory details.
   
   The Logical Volume Manager (LVM) is now in the kernel.  If you want to
   use this, you'll need to install the necessary LVM toolset.
   
   32-bit UID support is now in place.  Have fun!
   
   Linux documentation for functions is transitioning to inline
   documentation via specially-formatted comments near their
   definitions in the source.  These comments can be combined with the
   SGML templates in the Documentation/DocBook directory to make DocBook
   files, which can then be converted by DocBook stylesheets to PostScript,
   HTML, PDF files, and several other formats.  In order to convert from
   DocBook format to a format of your choice, you'll need to install Jade as
   well as the desired DocBook stylesheets.
   
   Util-linux
   ----------
   
   New versions of util-linux provide *fdisk support for larger disks,
   support new options to mount, recognize more supported partition
   types, have a fdformat which works with 2.4 kernels, and similar goodies.
   You'll probably want to upgrade.
   
   Ksymoops
   --------
   
   If the unthinkable happens and your kernel oopses, you'll need a 2.4
   version of ksymoops to decode the report; see REPORTING-BUGS in the
   root of the Linux source for more information.
   
   Modutils
   --------
   
   Upgrade to recent modutils to fix various outstanding bugs which are
   seen more frequently under 2.4.x, and to enable auto-loading of USB
   modules.  In addition, the layout of modules under
   /lib/modules/`uname -r`/ has been made more sane.  This change also
   requires that you upgrade to a recent modutils.
   
   Mkinitrd
   --------
   
   These changes to the /lib/modules file tree layout also require that
   mkinitrd be upgraded.
   
   E2fsprogs
   ---------
   
   The latest version of e2fsprogs fixes several bugs in fsck and
   debugfs.  Obviously, it's a good idea to upgrade.
   
   JFSutils
   --------
   
   The jfsutils package contains the utilities for the file system.
   The following utilities are available:
   o fsck.jfs - initiate replay of the transaction log, and check
     and repair a JFS formatted partition.
   o mkfs.jfs - create a JFS formatted partition.
   o other file system utilities are also available in this package.
   
   Reiserfsprogs
   -------------
   
   The reiserfsprogs package should be used for reiserfs-3.6.x
   (Linux kernels 2.4.x). It is a combined package and contains working
   versions of mkreiserfs, resize_reiserfs, debugreiserfs and
   reiserfsck. These utils work on both i386 and alpha platforms.
   
   Pcmcia-cs
   ---------
   
   PCMCIA (PC Card) support is now partially implemented in the main
   kernel source.  Pay attention when you recompile your kernel ;-).
   Also, be sure to upgrade to the latest pcmcia-cs release.
   
   Intel IA32 microcode
   --------------------
   
   A driver has been added to allow updating of Intel IA32 microcode,
   accessible as both a devfs regular file and as a normal (misc)
   character device.  If you are not using devfs you may need to:
   
   mkdir /dev/cpu
   mknod /dev/cpu/microcode c 10 184
   chmod 0644 /dev/cpu/microcode
   
   as root before you can use this.  You'll probably also want to
   get the user-space microcode_ctl utility to use with this.
   
   If you have compiled the driver as a module you may need to add
   the following line:
   
   alias char-major-10-184 microcode
   
   to your /etc/modules.conf file.
   
   Powertweak
   ----------
   
   If you are running v0.1.17 or earlier, you should upgrade to
   version v0.99.0 or higher. Running old versions may cause problems
   with programs using shared memory.
   
   Networking
   ==========
   
   General changes
   ---------------
   
   The IP firewalling and NAT code has been replaced again.  The new
   netfilter software (including ipfwadm and ipchains backwards-
   compatible modules) is currently distributed separately.
   
   If you have advanced network configuration needs, you should probably
   consider using the network tools from ip-route2.
   
   PPP
   ---
   
   The PPP driver has been restructured to support multilink and to
   enable it to operate over diverse media layers.  If you use PPP,
   upgrade pppd to at least 2.4.0.
   
   If you are not using devfs, you must have the device file /dev/ppp
   which can be made by:
   
   mknod /dev/ppp c 108 0
   
   as root.
   
   If you build ppp support as modules, you will need the following in
   your /etc/modules.conf file:
   
   alias char-major-108    ppp_generic
   alias /dev/ppp          ppp_generic
   alias tty-ldisc-3       ppp_async
   alias tty-ldisc-14      ppp_synctty
   alias ppp-compress-21   bsd_comp
   alias ppp-compress-24   ppp_deflate
   alias ppp-compress-26   ppp_deflate
   
   If you use devfsd and build ppp support as modules, you will need
   the following in your /etc/devfsd.conf file:
   
   LOOKUP  PPP     MODLOAD
   
   Isdn4k-utils
   ------------
   
   Due to changes in the length of the phone number field, isdn4k-utils
   needs to be recompiled or (preferably) upgraded.
   
   Getting updated software
   ========================
   
   Kernel compilation
   ******************
   
   egcs 1.1.2 (gcc 2.91.66)
   ------------------------
   o  <ftp://sourceware.cygnus.com/pub/gcc/releases/egcs-1.1.2/egcs-1.1.2.tar.bz2>
   
   gcc 2.95.3
   ----------
   o  <ftp://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/gcc/gcc-2.95.3.tar.gz>
   
   Make 3.77
   ---------
   o  <ftp://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/make/make-3.77.tar.gz>
   
   Binutils
   --------
   o  <ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/devel/binutils/>
   
   System utilities
   ****************
   
   Util-linux
   ----------
   o  <ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/util-linux/>
   
   Ksymoops
   --------
   o  <ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/kernel/ksymoops/v2.4/>
   
   Modutils
   --------
   o  <ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/kernel/modutils/v2.4/>
   
   Mkinitrd
   --------
   o  <ftp://rawhide.redhat.com/pub/rawhide/SRPMS/SRPMS/>
   
   E2fsprogs
   ---------
   o  <http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/e2fsprogs/e2fsprogs-1.25.tar.gz>
   
   JFSutils
   ---------
   o  <http://oss.software.ibm.com/jfs/>
   
   Reiserfsprogs
   -------------
   o  <http://www.namesys.com/pub/reiserfsprogs/reiserfsprogs-3.6.3.tar.gz>
   
   LVM toolset
   -----------
   o  <http://www.sistina.com/lvm/>
   
   Pcmcia-cs
   ---------
   o  <ftp://pcmcia-cs.sourceforge.net/pub/pcmcia-cs/pcmcia-cs-3.1.21.tar.gz>
   
   Jade
   ----
   o  <ftp://ftp.jclark.com/pub/jade/jade-1.2.1.tar.gz>
   
   DocBook Stylesheets
   -------------------
   o  <http://nwalsh.com/docbook/dsssl/>
   
   Intel P6 microcode
   ------------------
   o  <http://www.urbanmyth.org/microcode/>
   
   Powertweak
   ----------
   o  <http://powertweak.sourceforge.net/>
   
   Networking
   **********
   
   PPP
   ---
   o  <ftp://ftp.samba.org/pub/ppp/ppp-2.4.0.tar.gz>
   
   Isdn4k-utils
   ------------
   o  <ftp://ftp.isdn4linux.de/pub/isdn4linux/utils/isdn4k-utils.v3.1pre1.tar.gz>
   
   Netfilter
   ---------
   o  <http://netfilter.filewatcher.org/iptables-1.2.tar.bz2>
   o  <http://netfilter.samba.org/iptables-1.2.tar.bz2>
   o  <http://netfilter.kernelnotes.org/iptables-1.2.tar.bz2>
   
   Ip-route2
   ---------
   o  <ftp://ftp.inr.ac.ru/ip-routing/iproute2-2.2.4-now-ss991023.tar.gz>
   
   Suggestions and corrections
   ===========================
   
   Please feel free to submit changes, corrections, gripes, flames,
   money, etc. to me <chris.ricker@genetics.utah.edu>.  Happy Linuxing!

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