Linux 2.6 for TS-72XX
The 2.6.21 Linux Kernel released along the TS-7800 SBC includes preliminary support for the TS-72XX, TS-7300 and TS-7400. The Kernel tarball can be found at:
IMPORTANT: Although 2.6 Kernel is available for the TS-72XX series, Technologic Systems will always continue shipping the 2.4 Kernel as a standard OS for the TS-72XX platform to reinforce its compatibility and long life-cycle policy. The 2.6 Kernel for TS-72XX is for Kernel developers and advanced users only. For customers requiring the 2.6 Kernel, Technologic Systems recommends the TS-7800 platform instead.
This Kernel does not use code from the Cirrus Logic 2.6 port. Technologic Systems incorporated patches and community code to the TS-7800 Kernel, making it compatible with the TS-72XX platform. The Kernel boots stably using a NFS root file-system. Onboard storage memory (NAND/NOR/CF) support was not tested. Credit for the 2.6 Kernel work must be given to the TS-7000 community of Linux users and developers:
2.6 KERNEL UTILITY FILES
In order to compile and boot the 2.6.21 Kernel with TS-72XX series, the following tools and resourecs are available:
2.6 KERNEL HOW-TO
Follow the steps below to compile a 2.6 Kernel for the TS-72XX platform:
- Download and install (decompress) the cross-compiler on your Linux x86 PC
- Download and install (decompress) the 2.6 Kernel source tree on your Linux x86 PC
- Edit the Makefile at the Kernel root dir to point to the appropriate cross-compiler path
- type “make ts72xx_defconfig”
- type “make menuconfig” and edit the boot command line and other options of interest (optional)
- type “make”
The new Kernel will be at “arch/arm/boot”. After you succeed compiling the Kernel, you can use the Linux Bootload functionality to boot the new 2.6 Kernel (zImage file) from the actual 2.4 Kernel:
- Linux Bootloader Kernel Module
- Linux Bootload utility
- Linux Bootload utility (static linking)
Once the above files are installed at your TS-72XX system, use the following commands to boot to a zImage file:
# insmod -f bootloader.o
# bootload zImageWhen using the Linux Bootload, you can also specify a new command line for the Kernel. Use the following command to check the extra “bootload” options:
# bootload --help
Alternatively, Redboot can also be used in order to boot the new Kernel. Refer to our Linux documentation to learn how to use Redboot.
A suggested 2.6 Kernel command line to be used with the provided Debian filesystem in a NFS root setup is:
console=ttyAM0,115200 ip=dhcp init=/sbin/init root=/dev/nfs nfsroot=<SERVER IP>:<PATH TO NFS ROOT>