Perhaps more links to clarify the "dd" concept (just try to search for
"dd" and understand what it does):

http://downloads.angstrom-distribution.org/demo/beaglebone/mkcard.txt

http://www.angstrom-distribution.org/ipaq-h2200-series

http://downloads.angstrom-distribution.org/demo/beaglebone/

In above (beaglebone), notice that the rootfs.tgz is also just a
collection of files, and it is necessary to untar it into a actual SD
card, which is formatted as ext3.

I hope u are clarified with the concept now.   Sorry if I may be wrong
in any way - in particular to the way term "rootfs" is used, but
conceptually all my description are correct.

Ie, "rootfs" meant to me:   harddisk image of all the files starting
at the root level.   But many sites/people seemed to create it as a
collection of files with no filesystem involved.   Does not matter,
but hope u understand these.


On Jan 13, 7:51 pm, Peter Teoh <[email protected]> wrote:
> wow, this site is cool, I have done these manually before, but
> amazingly they can automate it, and for so many different boards.
>
> This site has a problem, but let me describe to you what is a
> "rootfs":
>
> Conceptually, it is supposed to be literally (or identical to) a
> harddisk containing your entire filesystem, starting from "/" root
> level.   Just like that.
>
> So how to do that?   Basically it is a "dd" image (i hope u understand
> "dd" command - almost all image making utilities is some form of
> "dd".   and another word for "dd" is "mirror copy of the harddisk,
> bytes for bytes") of the harddisk, and thereafter redirected the
> output to a file.   So the recipient when it open the file, and
> attempt to read it, he will not be able to different any differences
> (yes, byte for byte, zero differences, which is why "dd" is also used
> in computer forensics to make a duplicate copy of the harddisk)
> between the two.
>
> so when u run your qemu, then u feed the file as "rootfs", to simulate
> the a virtual harddisk.
>
> and as for actual "filesystem"?  there is no mentions....the way the
> bytes are organized....that is filesystem.  and u need kernel to read
> that.   (of course there is also userspace tool to read filesystem -
> normally only for readonly operation, and if write operation is
> allowed, then u need to ensure no way of collision).
>
> well....too much to say....the site (http://narcissus.angstrom-
> distribution.org/) what it does is collects all the files needed
> together, and that tgz it into a file for you to download.
>
> That is just a collection of files, no filesystem involved.
>
> U now have to use "dd" to make a image, then "mkfs" to make a
> filesystem on the image file, then mount it writeable, as a directory,
> and then "tar xvf" the file u have gotten 
> fromhttp://narcissus.angstrom-distribution.org/
> into that directory.   Now umount the directory, and u have a real
> rootfs!!!!
>
> For example:   (just a random pick)  
> http://www.phidgets.com/phorum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=5090
>
> Here is a rootfs formatted as jffs2 filesystem.
>
> That is the one u should use for qemu.
>
> But if u have a thumbdrive, just format that thumbdrive as jffs2
> direct, and mount it, and "tar xvf" all the files as per generated for
> you, and u have "rootfs" on the thumbdrive.
>
> On Jan 12, 5:16 am, "Valdez V." <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Thank you. So if there is such an online builder for 
> > rootfs,http://narcissus.angstrom-distribution.org/howpeople prepare kernel 
> > for
> > it? Do you know?
>
> > W dniu piątek, 11 stycznia 2013 05:11:46 UTC+1 użytkownik Peter Teoh
> > napisał:
>
> > > kernel and filesystem are highly integrated, the reason is simply
> > > because filesystem are using kernel API to talk to the kernel.   and
> > > because of these use of kernel API, the version of kernel used matters
> > > (eg, porting filesystem from Angstrom to Davinci etc).   In short,
> > > porting work is no mean task.   best is to stick to the available FS
> > > in each distro...if u want u can port and submit as patches to the
> > > distro...and others will test it out for you.
>
> > > On Jan 10, 5:29 am, "Valdez V." <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > > Hello,
>
> > > > I have question about relation between kernel and some distro
> > > filesystem. I ask because e.g. I need to use some specific kernel, I
> > > download it from OMAP kernel sources and then I need filesystem for it.
> > > > Can I just use filesystem of Angstrom, Ubuntu... or I should adapt is
> > > somehow?
>
> > > > Best regards,
> > > > Valdez

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