Hi Eric, > On Mar 9, 2019, at 10:42 AM, Eric Auer <e.a...@jpberlin.de> wrote: > > > Hi Jerome, > > questions about the dynamic size semi-live CD, which are > the minimum amounts of memory for which package sets? > > You say with 24 MB you get a system, then at some point > you get BASE, much later FULL or even EXTRA? So I would > like to know the RAM size thresholds for those :-)
I’m sorry. I could have made myself a little more clear. LiveCD1 size is flexible. It always tries to bring up the complete list of predetermined Live packages. The list of packages are in priority of importance. The list contains nearly all of BASE, much of FULL and a couple of EXTRA. In theory, that list could contain every package. But, it just contains a subset of all the packages on the CD. I think the current set fully loads in a system with about 24mb of RAM. (But, just barely). It could be a little less. But, the RAM drive is allocated “start big and on a keep failing until smaller size succeeds” method. Also, always reserving some portion outside of the RAM disk for other uses. The exact sizes attempted can be seen in https://gitlab.com/FreeDOS/builder/blob/master/snippets/autoTinyLives.bat <https://gitlab.com/FreeDOS/builder/blob/master/snippets/autoTinyLives.bat> The packages that are made live are https://github.com/shidel/FDI/blob/master/SETTINGS/PKG_LIVE.LST <https://github.com/shidel/FDI/blob/master/SETTINGS/PKG_LIVE.LST> . > > [LiveCD1 with dynamic install to RAMDISK, when there is more] >> memory, BASE + some of FULL and some common EXTRAS come “online” > > ... > >> LiveCD2 uses SYSLINUX/MEMDISK to expand a compressed pre-made >> filesystem into RAM. It’s size is fixed at the build time... > > Yes, but: The MEMDISK filesystem could be a lot smaller when > those packages which need no write access to their install > directory are installed on the normal part of the CD / DVD > instead of the MEMDISK part of it. How small, roughly, can > the MEMDISK be in that case? How big is it at the moment? I don’t know how small it “could” be. At present it is set to 96MB uncompressed. https://github.com/shidel/FDI/blob/master/SETTINGS/VERSION.CFG But, reducing it’s size would reduce the size of programs that “could” be loaded onto it. > >> However, breaking the packages into uncompressed binaries >> and compressed sources adds even more complexity... > > Not necessarily: As you already do things anyway, you have > both compressed packages on the CD and pre-installed binaries > on the MEMDISK. I only suggest to have another directory of > pre-installed binaries on the CD for those which do not have > to write to their install directory, so the Live CD can work > with a smaller MEMDISK. You just add 1 directory to PATH :-) > > And the installer still uses only compressed packages, it does > not try to recycle pre-installed data. While this means that > the CD ISO is a bigger download, it is quite common. I am not > aware of a Linux distro which would recycle live data that way. > > The opposite would be a Live CD which can install with simple > XCOPY and SYS, but that would drop the ability to select which > packages to install and which not, so that is not so useful. > >> things like FPC & DJGPP are enormous. However, both of >> those (once configured) may be capable of running read-only. > > True. They also tend to install to separate directories anyway, > so maybe somebody on freedos-devel can check their sizes :-) > > I wonder what the speed difference between install to RAMDISK > and having a MEMDISK with pre-installed contents is. > >> LiveCD1 boots a floppy and builds everything from scratch and > > You mean it even compiles things? :-o LOL. > >> requires very little space on the CD. All packages are compressed. > > Basically a standard installer combined with more smartness to be > able to install to RAMDISK, in part adaptive to available space. More or less. > >> LiveCD2 requires a hard disk image on the Live CD. The user can >> boot to install only or to the Live OS. At present, this requires >> compressed packages on the CD and uncompressed versions on the >> hard disk image > > So it is a full installer plus a pre-installed system? Then the > pre-installed part could be split into harddisk image for those > packages which have to write and a directory on the CD with pre > installed packages for those packages which do not require write > access, to keep the MEMDISK smaller without adding much complexity. It’s always easy when someone else has to do it. :-) Although, in the future, if LiveCD2 continues to exist.. it is not combined with LiveCD1… total package size continues to grow… What you suggest may be required. > >> PC-GEOS and associated programs at 100-200MB. > > That should not be in the MEMDISK, I guess ;-) > > Eric Jerome
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