[gentoo-user] how to manage two different kernels/sets of modules & init scripts

[gentoo-user] how to manage two different kernels/sets of modules & init scripts

[krgn]

Hello,

I would like to be able to have different kernel versions installed 
(i.e. rt-sources, ck-sources, suspend2-sources) and easily manage the 
startup scripts, modules, even configuration flies (xorg.conf) for each 
kernel. I am aware about initrd, but wonder whether it is possible to 
use it to have different run-level configurations etc.? does anyone have 
a good tip or two on this subject, a link would be really cool!

thanks,

Karsten
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Re: [gentoo-user] how to manage two different kernels/sets of modules & init scripts

[Iain Buchanan]

On Wed, 2006-05-24 at 12:42 +0000, krgn wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I would like to be able to have different kernel versions installed 
> (i.e. rt-sources, ck-sources, suspend2-sources)

easy (with a proviso... see below)

>  and easily manage the 
> startup scripts, modules,

semi-easy

>  even configuration flies (xorg.conf)

time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.  configuration
flies like ... dead configuration files?

>  for each 
> kernel. I am aware about initrd, but wonder whether it is possible to 
> use it to have different run-level configurations etc.? does anyone have 
> a good tip or two on this subject,

I suggest quickswitch.  It's actually used for changing config files
based on different network locations, but you could easily adapt it (and
I did) for changing any files you want.

Basically, you have multiple versions of every file:
/etc/resolv.conf.home
/etc/resolv.conf.work
And quickswitch manages a symlink /etc/resolv.conf which points to the
right one depending on what it thinks you want.

>  a link would be really cool!

how about http://engrish.com  -it's funny and a good time-waster.
quickswitch however is in portage.

For your startup scripts, I would use different runlevels.  Check out
the gentoo wiki, it's the "gentoo-way".  Each grub line (assuming you
use grub) for each kernel can start it's own runlevel:

kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.16-suspend2 softlevel=suspend-sources-runlevel

kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.16-ck-r4 softlevel=ck-sources-runlevel

and so on.

Here's the proviso I mentioned earlier: some ebuilds that install 3rd
party kernel modules (ati-drivers, vmware, etc) may not work when you
change kernels.  Don't ask me why, but I usually have to recompile these
ebuilds each time I change kernels, even if I've compiled for that
kernel on a previous boot.

HTH.  It's late, so if I've left something out, let me know.
-- 
Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>

Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather
a new wearer of clothes.
		-- Henry David Thoreau

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Re: [gentoo-user] how to manage two different kernels/sets of modules & init scripts

[Neil Bothwick]

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On Wed, 24 May 2006 22:39:27 +0930, Iain Buchanan wrote:

> I suggest quickswitch.  It's actually used for changing config files
> based on different network locations, but you could easily adapt it (and
> I did) for changing any files you want.

There's also sys-apps/hprofile.


-- 
Neil Bothwick

Long computations which yield zero are probably all for naught.

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