MkLinux

Developer Release 2.1 - Updates

The latest DR2.1 update is now available.

November 12, 1997 (Update 6): A synopsis of the latest update is given below. Please see our announcement [ ftp://ftp.mklinux.apple.com/pub/Updates/DR2.1update6/README ] for more complete information on new features, enhancements, bug fixes, etc. The entire update (including instructions) can be found at: ftp://ftp.mklinux.apple.com/pub/Updates/DR2.1update6/ (as well as on our mirror FTP sites).

Features of the update include:

• Improved support for serial I/O - PPP works on PCI machines now
• Audio support (play only) for NuBus PowerMacs

Previous updates

Features of the update include:

• Supports large memory configurations
• Detects MacOS's timezone
• Detects bus speed properly
• Detects PCI video card properly
• Fixed signal handling bugs which hampered JDK (Java Development Kit)
• Can boot with Macos's VM enabled
• Can default boot into either MkLinux or MacOs
• Works on the IMS Twin Turbo PCI video card
• Audio (Play only) works on PCI PowerMacs
• Improved disk I/O performance
• Now uses the same kernel loadable modules as Linux/PPC
• HFS filesystem support built in to Linux server

Features of the update include:

• The Xwindows packages are now based on shared libraries.
• Fixed a regression, synchronous negotiation in mesh driver
• Fixed a hang that many people were seeing after kernel displays available memory.
• The Linux server produces coredumps that work properly with GDB.

Features of the update include:

• Shared Libraries are now officially part of MkLinux.
• Fixed keyboard capslock problem introduced in Update 2.
• Many fixes in the pmap layer. Should enhance stability under heavy paging conditions as well as improve performance.
• Fixed inode leak which occurred when deleting or overwriting a file that had been mapped (such as being exec'ed).
• MkLinux server based on Linux kernel 2.0.30.
• Ramdisk support in the Mklinux Server.

Features of the update include:

• The "bus_speed_hz" mach_options works
• Sets the color palette when first using the video
• Fixed compilation problems for the VFAT file system and IP firewalling
• Cache flush added after writing via ptrace
• Many bugs fixed in preparation for SMP
• Default Pager doesn't give up anymore... when paging space is exhausted.
• Fixed bug in dbdma code
• Mesh driver should properly deny "target initiated synchronous transfer requests".
• Integrated changes from linux-pmac to keyboard LED handling
• New kernel configuration: DEBUG+KBD
• Integrated patch to handle AUX style mice

Features of the update include:

• printf messages from the Mach microkernel should no longer pollute the console screen
• A bug was fixed in cd audio that could cause filesystem corruption
• Initial SCSI tape support (we think!)
• Workarounds for systems that have been freezing at boot time
• Workaround for systems with "too much memory"
• netatalk works again

Copyright 1997