[Peeweelinux] M-systems Disk-On-Chip installation instructions?

[Mark Meade]

Jan De Geeter wrote:
> Now, I would like to install PeeWeeLinux on an M-systems Disk-On-Chip. I am
> using redhat 7.2 with kernel version 2.4.2 as a development platform. The
> PeeWeeLinux kernel version I am using is 2.2.17. I have pwlconfig 0.61.
>
> Can anyone point me to an up-to-date instruction set on how to do this?

Hi Jan,

My understanding of the DiskOnChip/Linux situation is that there are two ways 
to accomplish this:

1.  Use M-Systems "TrueFFS v5.0 for Linux (x86)", from www.m-sys.com.
2.  Use the Memory Technology Device (MTD) Subsystem for Linux:

	http://www.linux-mtd.infradead.org/
	http://www.linux-mtd.infradead.org/doc2000.html

It's been my experience that using the MTD option is much easier.  Also, the 
M-Systems option is a binary-only driver, and can only be used as a loadable 
module.  From their installation instructions:

	This installation manual will guide through the process installing the
	DiskOnChip TrueFFS driver for Linux as a loadubale module (GPL complient).

	Note: Installing this driver as part of the Linux kernel is NOT GPL complient
	and should only be used for testing or R&D purposes.

In other words, you don't get the source code when using TrueFFS.  The MTD 
source is part of the Linux kernel itself; you don't need to use "initrd" in 
order to boot from the DoC.  

Anyway, I typed up some instructions on using Peewee to configure a bootable 
DoC, using MTD and a 2.4 kernel.  I'm not sure how things would work with a 
2.2.17 kernel, but I believe there may be MTD patches available for 2.2. 
kernels if needed.  For now, these instructions are at:

	http://www.lakeshoremicro.com/peeweedoc.txt

Additionally, if you decide to use a 2.4 kernel,  Troy Engel's kernel 2.4 
mini-howto might help:

	http://mail.adis.on.ca/pipermail/peeweelinux/2002-June/000608.html

If your feeling adventurous, I also wrote up some instructions on using GRUB 
(rather than LILO) to boot a DiskOnChip:

	http://lists.infradead.org/pipermail/linux-mtd/2002-June/005240.html

I hope this helps.

Mark