Debian Gurus Please help!

[Laslo7]

Hello all!

I have started a new project. It is a dual p2 300 machine and I would like to install debian on it.

What is the proceedure to do this. Is there a smp kernel for debian?

Links to how-tos would be great.

Thanks
AJ

[undef]

you'll find your how-tos at www.linuxdoc.org (http://www.linuxdoc.org)

to install debian, do one of the following:
download the iso from www.linuxiso.org (http://www.linuxiso.org) and burn it.
or do network installation
or floppy installation if you do not have cable or high speed conection.

once you have decided the method to use, create a boot disk which you can download from debian's website. you'll also find a full installation guide from www.debian.org (http://www.debian.org)

[Laslo7]

I have Debian installed and configured and running. Just need to know if I need to re-compile the kernel for smp to function. If so how do you do that with debian?

[Droo]

Check this (http://packages.debian.org/testing/devel/kernel-source-2.4.5.html) out.

The general process in Debian is:
cd /usr/src/[kernel source directory]
make menuconfig (configure kernel)
make-kpkg kernel_image (compile kernel)
cd ../ (go up one level)
dpkg -i [kernel image name] (install kernel)


Again this is the generic process. Check out the above link and man make-kpkg for more info.

[Droo]

Oh BTW, I think SMP is turned on by default in the 2.4.x kernel images, but either way you should configure and recompile.

[godot]

I'd recompile the kernel, use 2.4.5.
Maybe give the kernel-package program a try :)

If you're using a Tyan Tiger 133 like me, watch out if one of your processors fails. With SMP enabled it didn't handle IRQ assignments correctly and would stop using my PCI devices at random times. Weird error.

SMP is the best, and linux does it very well.

[Laslo7]

Will have to use the 2.4.5 kernel then. I have a Tyan Thunderbolt so hopefully they solved that problem.

Anymore suggestions?

[godot]

hmmm... let's see
from a base debian install, you'll need to do a couple things to get 'make menuconfig' to work to compile the kernel
apt-get install libncurses5-dev
or something like that.

then when configuring the kernel just make sure SMP is enabled. If you want a non-SMP kernel on an SMP board make sure the APIC option is checked (it only appears if SMP is deselected)

That's about it.

Happy Compiling!

[Laslo7]

Is there anyway to see if I was able to get both processors working? Like should top say 2 cpus or something to that nature?

[prince_kenshi]

Originally posted by Laslo7:
<STRONG>Is there anyway to see if I was able to get both processors working? Like should top say 2 cpus or something to that nature?</STRONG>

Yes I believe it should.

[godot]

yup, there sure is

cat /proc/cpuinfo

or if you have gkrellm it'll let you know, it will give a separate krell for each proc which is really neat!