Very Computer

I'm using Mandrake 7.2 and 2.2.17-21mdk

I'm somewhat confused about the role of /boot/System.map and /boot/map in
the installation of a kernel.

My understanding is that when I re-compile a kernel a new System.map-2.x.x
is created. On my system the current one,  System.map-2.2.17-21mdk, is
linked to System.map.  In order to use the new version of the kernel I
assume I must relink System.map to the new System.map-2.2.x.x.  However,
presumably this will mean that at boot up only the new kernel will work (if
indeed it does work).

What I want to achieve is a situation in which I can choose any kernel or
kernel version from the Lilo menu, but I don't see how to do this given
that only one System.map seems to be current at any one time.  I note that
there is a global entry of map=/boot/map.  This file doesn't seem to have
changed after re-compilation.

Neither the kernel HOWTO nor the Lilo mini-HOWTO nor the Lilo man page seem
to explain this, at least not such that I can recognise it as an
explanation.  I'd be very grateful if someone could explain what I need to
do to be able to have several options at boot time - or is this not
possible?  Lilo objects if I put a separate map=... in the image section.

- Richard.
--
Richard Kimber

http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge01.htm
British General Election 2001

LILO's map (/boot/map) file has nothing to do with System.map files.

Quote:> My understanding is that when I re-compile a kernel a new System.map-2.x.x
> is created. On my system the current one,  System.map-2.2.17-21mdk, is
> linked to System.map.  In order to use the new version of the kernel I
> assume I must relink System.map to the new System.map-2.2.x.x.

No, the System.map file is merely informational; it is used by programs
like ps(1) and klogd(8).  The kernel does not use it.  Other programs will
work (but may gripe).

Quote:>  However,
> presumably this will mean that at boot up only the new kernel will work (if
> indeed it does work).

> What I want to achieve is a situation in which I can choose any kernel or
> kernel version from the Lilo menu, but I don't see how to do this given
> that only one System.map seems to be current at any one time.  I note that
> there is a global entry of map=/boot/map.  This file doesn't seem to have
> changed after re-compilation.

--
Paul Kimoto
This message was originally posted on Usenet in plain text.  Any images,
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and may be a violation of international copyright law.

They're not involved. The former is a debugging aid for kernel hackers.
The latter is part of a lilo boot sequence. If you don't debug and you
don't use lilo, then you need neither of them, yet you can still enjoy
your new kernel - which shows you the independence.

Peter

So /boot/map only changes if Lilo itself is changed (i.e.upgraded) ?

- Richard.
--
Richard Kimber

http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge01.htm
British General Election 2001

/boot/map is every time, you call "lilo" new generated.

Peter wrote, you don't need it if you don't use lilo to boot, sounds
reasonable.

Michael Heiming

No, it changes whenever /sbin/lilo is rerun (although I guess the
change may be trivial at times :-).

Peter