Boot from ICH6R Intel Software SATA Raid? ... solution.

[Keith G. Robertson-Turner]

X-Posted to fedora-list and fedora-devel-list.
Gmane followups set to: gmane.linux.redhat.fedora.general
Original message:
https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-list/2005-February/msg05035.html

Keith G. Robertson-Turner wrote:


>> Well I'm back after a long absence, mainly work related, but also due to
>> a hardware upgrade that has effectively left me Linux-less ...


I've just tried this Live CD, which is Gentoo based, and put simply ...
it works.

http://tienstra4.flatnet.tudelft.nl/~gerte/gen2dmraid/

I'm now looking at rolling a custom boot/setup CD, initrd and GRUB
install script for FC4t1.


>> Another issue is the DVD drives.


SATA CD/DVD drives is still an ongoing issue, however. For now you will
need an IDE/SCSI optical drive to boot off, at least for the install.


>> So, my questions:


<snip>

>> 4) ... Will FC4 be prepped and ready for this type of install?


This is the bit relevant to the devel list.

I believe it should be offered as a separate option, since this is all
still officially "unstable" - i.e. - a mini-CD for installing on
fakeraid systems. Thoughts?


>> 5) ... Are there any "Live" distros that include dmraid (Knoppix doesn't
>> - AFAICT)?


http://tienstra4.flatnet.tudelft.nl/~gerte/gen2dmraid/gen2dmraid-0.99a.iso

>> 7) ... What kernel parameters do I need to pass, to enable the SATA DVD
>> drives to work properly, or is it the case that this doesn't work yet?


The latter, I'm afraid. This is a matter for upstream - i.e. kernel dev.


>> I don't want to get sidetracked by the alternatives (3ware, PATA,
>> raidtools, mdadm, etc.), I am fully aware of them.


Software raid is still the best way, IMHO, however - not for dual boot
systems on the same array - obviously. Especially in a small enclosure
where real estate for drives is limited. We definitely need the dmraid
option.


>> I haven't had a working Linux system for some time, and I'm anxious to
>> get back to working on Tripwire, amongst other things.
>>
>> If it comes down to it, I can always resurrect the dinosaur from cold
>> storage, in order to get a working Linux system, but space is limited;
>> it was beginning to pack up (SCSI controller dying); it's dog slow, pig
>> ugly, noisy; huge; and the very reason I bought a new system in the
>> first place. I'd really rather just ditch it.


As you can see, I have the motivation, but unfortunately not much time.
My work overseas keeps me almost constantly occupied. IOW .. *help!!!*.

-
K.