Re: [gentoo-user] Beta test Gentoo with mdev instead of udev; version 5

[covici@ccs.covici.com]

Daddy <daddy@happypenguincomputers.com> wrote:

> On March 11, 2012 at 5:09 AM Walter Dnes <waltdnes@waltdnes.org> wrote:
> 
> >   This revision makes 2 changes...
> >
> > A) The removal of udev is now standard instead of optional.  udev-181
> > and higher will be pulling in kmod, and anything else that kmod depends
> > on.  Removing udev will avoid unnecessary cruft on your machine.
> >
> > B) Splitting up step 3) into 3a) and 3b) for greater clarity as
> > requested in user feedback.
> >
> >   The usual warnings apply...
> > * this is a beta
> > * use a spare test machine
> > * if you don't follow the instructions correctly, the result might be
> >   an unbootable linux
> > * even if you do follow instructions, the result might be an unbootable
> >   linux
> >
> >
> > 1) Set up your kernel to support and automount a devtmpfs filesystem at
> >    /dev
> >
> > * If you prefer to edit .config directly, set
> >   CONFIG_DEVTMPFS=y and CONFIG_DEVTMPFS_MOUNT=y
> >
> > * If you prefer "make menuconfig", the route is as shown below.  Note
> >   that the "Autount devtmpfs..." option won't appear until you enable
> >   "Maintain a devtmpf..." option.
> >
> > make menuconfig
> >   Device Drivers  --->
> >     Generic Driver Options  --->
> >       [*] Maintain a devtmpfs filesystem to mount at /dev
> >       [*]   Automount devtmpfs at /dev, after the kernel mounted the
> rootfs
> >
> >   Once you've made the changes, rebuild the kernel.
> >
> >
> > 2) Set up for emerging busybox.  busybox requires the "mdev" flag in
> > this situation.  The "static" flag is probably also a good idea.  In
> > file /etc/portage/package.use add the line
> >
> > sys-apps/busybox static mdev
> >
> >    Now, "emerge busybox"
> >
> >
> > 3 a) Create /sbin/linuxrc containing at least
> >
> > #!/bin/busybox ash
> > mount -t proc proc /proc
> > mount -t sysfs sysfs /sys
> > exec /sbin/init
> >
> >   This should be enough for most users.  If you have an unusual setup,
> > you may need additional stuff in there.  Remember to
> > "chmod 744 /sbin/linuxrc" to make it executable.
> >
> >  In the bootloader "append" line, include "init=/sbin/linuxrc".  If
> > you're using lilo remember to re-run lilo to implement the changes.  If
> > you're using another bootloader, make the equivalant initialization.
> >
> >
> > 4) Remove udev from the services list, and replace it with mdev.  Type
> >    the following 2 commands at the command line
> > rc-update del udev sysinit
> > rc-update add mdev sysinit
> >
> >
> > 5) reboot to your new kernel.  You're now running without using udev.
> >
> >
> > 6) Remove udev as per the following instructions...
> >
> > * execute the following command at the commandline
> > emerge --unmerge sys-fs/udev
> >
> > * In file /atc/portage/package.mask, append the line
> > sys-fs/udev
> >   Create the file if it doesn't already exist.  You now have a totally
> > udev-free machine
> >
> > --
> > Walter Dnes <waltdnes@waltdnes.org>
> >
> 
> Having personally long considered Lennart Poettering a 'spawn of the devil'
> my question is ... is this your reaction to systemd?
> 
> One minor typo to point out:
> 
> /atc/portage/package.mask should be /etc/portage/package.mask
> 
> I just joined this list last week, but might consider sacrificing some
> hardware to join your endeavor if you need more testers.
OK, I am not seeing mdev in the portage tree -- I would like to learn
more about this before I take the plunge.  So where do I get it and does
it create the appropriate device nodes, etc?


-- 
Your life is like a penny.  You're going to lose it.  The question is:
How do
you spend it?

         John Covici
         covici@ccs.covici.com