Re: [patch] 2.4 add suffix for uname -r

[Mike A. Harris]

On Sun, 6 May 2001, Keith Owens wrote:

>>On Sun, 6 May 2001, Keith Owens wrote:
>>>A frequent requirement is to rename vmlinuz-2.x.y to 2.x.y-old or
>>>2.x.y.save to preserve a working kernel.
>>
>>I don't see how this patch is necessary when we have
>>"EXTRAVERSION" available.  Change EXTRAVERSION in your kernel
>>builds and it is totally a non issue.  No renaming of anything is
>>necessary.
>
>You already have a working kernel which you want to rename to use as a
>backup version.

Why?  Just use it as a backup version.  No need to rename
anything at all.  I never rename a kernel, Sysmap, module dir or
anything when trying out a new kernel.   I use EXTRAVERSION
instead - for its intended purpose - which was to eliminate these
sort of problems.

>Changing EXTRAVERSION and recompiling builds a new kernel and
>adds uncertainty about whether the kernel still works - did you
>change anything else before recompiling?

How could it possibly add any uncertainity about anything?  My
kernel is 2.4.2-2 right now.  If I build a new one, it will be
2.4.4-1asdf probably (asdf is my machine).  If I then want to try
a new kernel but am not sure if I want the old one still, the new
kernel will be 2.4.4-2asdf.  None of the kernels have files that
conflict, and the names of them never change.  I add a new stanza
to lilo for the new kernel, run lilo, and can easily boot any of
the kernels.

>Look at all the install scripts that rename vmlinuz to
>vmlinuz-old.

Better yet, rewrite those broken scripts to work with todays
kernel features.  My install-kernel script works just fine for
adding a new kernel to the system.

By using new tools you avoid old problems.

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