> > "multiboot" in this context doesn't refer to booting multiple OS kernels.
> > It's a specific standard for a kernel<->bootloader interface, which is
> > implemented by Grub but not by lilo. I think it actually originates from
> > the Grub people, but is also supported by a few other bootloaders.
> >
> > A particular feature which we use: multiboot allows one to pass
> > several "modules" to the kernel being booted. Under Grub, multiboot is
> > used to boot xen.gz as the kernel, and pass a vmlinuz and an initrd to
> > Xen as modules (these are then used to start dom0).
>
> ???
>
> I run from LILO (!!!) multiple OS AND multiple kernels with and without
> initrd. Lilo boot already several kernels and initrs's of choice where
> GRUB was not born.
Yes, I realise that, but it doesn't support multiboot, which as I mentioned is
an interface for the bootloader to pass data to the kernel it's
booting. "Multiboot" in this context *doesn't* refer to the ability to boot
multiple kernels, it's a specific spec for doing something that Xen needs the
bootloader to do.
Lilo doesn't support the multiboot spec, so if you're going to use Lilo, you
can't boot Xen in the same way you wouldn't on a multiboot complaint
platform. You need mbootpack if you want to use Lilo. Do you want to use
Lilo?
> Since the default kernel xen-686 from Debian does not boot on my machine
> (Uniprocessor) and the Debian-Maintainers have compiled in the SMP stuff
> I need to compile my own kernel, -- BUT ONLY WITH THE NEEDED MODULES.
Fine.
> I hate initrd's which I have never used in the last 8 years.
>
> The produce only errors and then the kernel can not be uses for RESCUE.
You don't need to use an initrd.
> > * use the mbootpack tool previously mentioned to package Xen and the dom0
> > kernel into a single image bootable by lilo as the "kernel"
>
> Which mean my Security stuff will not more work...
> Even grub has not the feature to boot automaticaly a desired rescue system
> on failure. (If my Server crashs, I get automaticale a Rescue-System from
> another partition/disk)
>
> So if I run a High-End machine to serv some VServer I need maximum security
> which is not given with "grub" or "mbootpack".
Recent releases of grub do this. They support a fallback boot configuration
so that if an OS fails to boot it can start instead from another. These can
be cascaded so that you can have fallbacks for the rescue system if that
doesn't work either.
Have you actually looked at what mbootpack does? It enables you to boot Xen
with Lilo. Isn't this what you wanted to do in the first place? And
whatever features of Lilo (or any other bootloader) you like.
> The theorie was, to install the dom0 kernel on the MasterSystem and the the
> domU on each hardisk. OK this was done since I have Debian it was realy
> easy. But the SMP support sucks!
Why is it a problem to have SMP support in there anyhow if you're on a UP
system?
> Since 2006/11 my maintainership increased from 680 Machines to 2800 and if
> I get this XEN stuff running the numbers of VServers will explode...
>
> For this time I am alredy happy, if I get my Devel-Station running with Xen
>
> > * use kexec to boot into Xen from your existing install. Kexec can
> > support loading a multiboot compliant kernel and modules, if you have
> > that support compiled into your kexec tools.
>
> Which kernel version does Kexec require please?
> I have tried running 2.6.16, 2.6.17 and the today I have compiled a 2.6.18
> but X does not more start and some other flaws...
I think it was introduced with 2.6.13, but you'd need to make sure that:
a) that the debian kernel has kexec support compiled in
b) your kexec tools are up to date and include multiboot support
There's no need to use kexec if you can use lilo, so I'd recommend you try
that first.
Cheers,
Mark
--
Dave: Just a question. What use is a unicyle with no seat? And no pedals!
Mark: To answer a question with a question: What use is a skateboard?
Dave: Skateboards have wheels.
Mark: My wheel has a wheel!
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