Re: Use SMP kernel for Alpha (udeb) builds
On Sat, Dec 08, 2018 at 10:06:25AM +1300, Michael Cree wrote: > On Tue, Dec 04, 2018 at 05:38:51PM +0100, Frank Scheiner wrote: > > As per [1] and our recent discussions the generic 4.x kernels seem to no > > longer work on Alpha machines which also renders any installer images using > > the generic 4.x kernels non-working. > > Yes, that was noted some time ago. A generic kernel does not boot > since about 3.13. I can't remember why I never attempted bisecting > this back when it was first noted to be a problem, maybe because it > didn't affect me because I normally run my own spun kernels. Ditto on this end. I figure a first pass at the problem would be to compare our respective kernel configs against the generic one, just to get a reading on what code *may* be involved. I can provide my Miata config for a 4.14 kernel (and that's about all I can do until I'm back up and running) if that would be helpful. Another data point to consider would be the kernel config for the current (as of the end of November) Gentoo "install-alpha-minimal" image, which works on Miata at least (modulo the missing Qlogic firmware issue). The associated kernel is "4.14.65-gentoo", and two variants are present on the image -- a "generic" one, and one without a "legacy start address". The "aboot.conf" file has the following comment: # Some later alphas need a special kernel without legacy start address, most # notably the DS15A and DS25 workstations as well as the ES45, ES47 and GS # series of servers. The Miata boots fine with the "generic" kernel, and panics when I try the "nolsa" kernel. Bottom line: I think the way forward will be easier from a Debian perspective if the Debian installer for alpha includes a >= 4.14 kernel, because the 4.8 and 4.9 kernels are known to have issues anyway. An upgrade would also put alpha closer to being in-sync with the "testing" distro on Intel/AMD platforms. --Bob
Re: Use SMP kernel for Alpha (udeb) builds
On Fri, Dec 07, 2018 at 10:39:58PM +0100, Frank Scheiner wrote: > On 12/7/18 22:06, Michael Cree wrote: > > On Tue, Dec 04, 2018 at 05:38:51PM +0100, Frank Scheiner wrote: > > > As per [1] and our recent discussions the generic 4.x kernels seem to no > > > longer work on Alpha machines which also renders any installer images > > > using > > > the generic 4.x kernels non-working. > > > > Yes, that was noted some time ago. A generic kernel does not boot > > since about 3.13. > > Must be after 3.16 because a Debian 3.16 generic kernel still worked on my > PWS 500au back in 2017 or even earlier. Confirmed. 3.16 generic boots but 3.18 generic does not on XP1000. The reason I did not bisect at the time is that there were build errors in the kernel about 3.17 and 3.18 but I think I now know how to work around those so shall proceed to bisect. Cheers, Michael.
Re: Use SMP kernel for Alpha (udeb) builds
On 12/7/18 22:06, Michael Cree wrote: On Tue, Dec 04, 2018 at 05:38:51PM +0100, Frank Scheiner wrote: As per [1] and our recent discussions the generic 4.x kernels seem to no longer work on Alpha machines which also renders any installer images using the generic 4.x kernels non-working. Yes, that was noted some time ago. A generic kernel does not boot since about 3.13. Must be after 3.16 because a Debian 3.16 generic kernel still worked on my PWS 500au back in 2017 or even earlier. I can't remember why I never attempted bisecting this back when it was first noted to be a problem, maybe because it didn't affect me because I normally run my own spun kernels. Yes, you mentioned that it doesn't affect non-generic kernels, e.g. kernels built for specific hardware like DP264. Confirmed on: * AlphaStation 200 (w/EV4 x 1) * AlphaStation 255 (w/EV45 x 1) * Personal Workstation 500au (w/EV56 x 1) * AlphaServer DS20E (w/EV67 x 2) Also on XP1000 so I would presume on any DP264 based machine. Also expected on: * AlphaServer ES45 (w/EV68CB x 4) Actually no. I seem to recall that the generic kernel does boot on ES45 (Titan). Interesting, maybe I should also give that a try on my DS25. I can check that at some point when the buildds are not busy. If you want to avoid a reboot on the buildd machine, I can have a look with my ES45 on Sunday. Cheers, Frank
Re: Use SMP kernel for Alpha (udeb) builds
On Tue, Dec 04, 2018 at 05:38:51PM +0100, Frank Scheiner wrote: > As per [1] and our recent discussions the generic 4.x kernels seem to no > longer work on Alpha machines which also renders any installer images using > the generic 4.x kernels non-working. Yes, that was noted some time ago. A generic kernel does not boot since about 3.13. I can't remember why I never attempted bisecting this back when it was first noted to be a problem, maybe because it didn't affect me because I normally run my own spun kernels. > Confirmed on: > * AlphaStation 200 (w/EV4 x 1) > * AlphaStation 255 (w/EV45 x 1) > * Personal Workstation 500au (w/EV56 x 1) > * AlphaServer DS20E (w/EV67 x 2) Also on XP1000 so I would presume on any DP264 based machine. > Also expected on: > * AlphaServer ES45 (w/EV68CB x 4) Actually no. I seem to recall that the generic kernel does boot on ES45 (Titan). I can check that at some point when the buildds are not busy. I might have a look again to see if we can bisect this problem... Cheers Michael.
