Linux Kernel

From Free60

There is a set of 7 patches available sent to the linuxppc mailing list on 08 March 2007, which have to be applied to Linux 2.6.20. If you're interested in kernel development and/or adding new features, please take a look at Linux Kernel Development.

To run linux, you need to use the Linux Bootloader available right now. To compile the kernel, you need to set up a [cross compiler] toolchain (unless you already have another PowerPC Linux machine).

[edit] Prerequisites

The minimal requirements for successfully cross compiling the Linux Kernel for your Xbox are (unverified):

A machine running a Linux based OS (most likely your PC)
Sources for the Linux Kernel
The Xenon patch or patchset
Binutils (targeting the powerpc architecture)
GCC (targeting the powerpc architecture)

[edit] Configuring and Compiling the Kernel

Get the source for the Kernel from kernel.org and unpack it.


   cd
   wget http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/linux-2.6.21.tar.bz2
   tar -xvjf linux-2.6.21.tar.bz2

Download and apply the Xenon patch/patchset matching your kernel.


   cd linux-2.6.21/
   for patch in pci_ids.h.diff linux-2.6.21-xenon-cpu.diff linux-2.6.21-xenon.diff \
                linux-2.6.21-xenon-enet.diff linux-2.6.21-xenon-platform.diff \
                linux-2.6.21-xenon-sata.diff linux-2.6.21-xenon-smc.diff \
                linux-2.6.21-xenon-ugly-fb.diff linux-2.6.21-xenon-ugly-udbg.diff \
                interlace.diff ; do
           wget http://op-co.de/xbox360/2.6.21/$patch
           patch -p1 < $patch
   done

Configure the Kernel. You can manually fetch a configuration file from the internet (e.g. here) and type:


   make ARCH=powerpc CROSS_COMPILE=powerpc64-unknown-linux-gnu- oldconfig

Of course, you can fine-tune your Kernel configuration to fit your needs using


   make ARCH=powerpc CROSS_COMPILE=powerpc64-unknown-linux-gnu- menuconfig

Build the Kernel by typing:


   make ARCH=powerpc CROSS_COMPILE=powerpc64-unknown-linux-gnu- all

If everything goes well, you will end up with a file arch/powerpc/boot/zImage.xenon containing the kernel which can be loaded by the XeLL.

[edit] Configuring and Compiling the 2.6.24.3 Kernel (experimental)

Get the source for the Linux 2.6.24.3 Kernel from kernel.org and unpack it.


   wget http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/linux-2.6.24.3.tar.bz2
   tar -xvjf linux-2.6.24.3.tar.bz2

Download and apply the experimental Xenon patch.


   wget http://home.comcast.net/~ssmurf/linux-2.6.24.3-xenon.diff
   cd linux-2.6.24.3/
   patch -p1 < ../linux-2.6.24.3-xenon.diff

Configure the Kernel.


    make ARCH=powerpc CROSS_COMPILE=powerpc64-unknown-linux-gnu- menuconfig

Build the Kernel by typing:


   make ARCH=powerpc CROSS_COMPILE=powerpc64-unknown-linux-gnu- all

If everything goes well, you will end up with a file arch/powerpc/boot/zImage.xenon containing the kernel which can be loaded by the XeLL.

Remember, these patches are Experimental!

[edit] Recent Kernels (2.6.33 and later)

Patches for recent kernels are available now, but considered highly experimental.

[edit] Rootfilesystem via NFS

Configure the kernel (CONFIG_CMDLINE in .config) for NFS (see NFS-Root mini Howto for details) to match your local setup.
example: CONFIG_CMDLINE=root=nfs video=xenonfb console=tty0 nfsroot=192.168.1.1:/mnt/nfsroot/xbox ip=dhcp
Make sure that the IP Plug and Play (CONFIG_IP_PNP* in .config) options match your ip setup method.