Kernel / Rootfs

JoeD · 01-11-2015, 08:38 AM

I've just been reading through some past posts on here and in particular the KOReader wiki, I hadn't realised so much was now available for the kindle source wise from both amazon for the linux side and other projects for the UI/frontend.

I've seen a few threads with regards to rebuilding the kernel based on the amazon source release, but has anyone rebuilt the entire rootfs from source? I have 4NT but question applies to any eInk version.

knc1 · 01-11-2015, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

I've just been reading through some past posts on here and in particular the KOReader wiki, I hadn't realised so much was now available for the kindle source wise from both amazon for the linux side and other projects for the UI/frontend.

I've seen a few threads with regards to rebuilding the kernel based on the amazon source release, but has anyone rebuilt the entire rootfs from source? I have 4NT but question applies to any eInk version.

No. That is all proprietary code.

There are three major groups of code :
Open Source whose license requires its release ;
Open Source whose license permits but does not require its release ;
Closed Source code.

Amazon only releases a major part of the first category.

JoeD · 01-11-2015, 09:17 AM

Hi knc1, I wasn't talking about the amazon front end/reader and other items they've implemented, I meant the rootfs including udev/iptables/glib and other linux utils etc that are in the source snapshot.

Mainly has anyone taken that source release such that you can boot far enough to then launch kual/koreader using only the items source is available for?

From what I can see most of the source appears to be available although I haven't found any projects that have wrapped it all together. If there are still items missng what are they? For example, does Kual/KOReader make use of libs on the kindle that are closed source?

Trying to get an idea as to how close the kindle is to being used with fully open software. I'm not worried about losing access to any proprietary features that amazon have implemented such as reading DRM'd ebooks, using their cloud service, syncing page etc

Cheers.

NiLuJe · 01-11-2015, 10:28 AM

@JoeD: No, it's missing a rather large amount of things to build a real linux embedded distro. You're better off using buildroot, scratchbox or something like that for that purpose.

JoeD · 01-11-2015, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiLuJe

@JoeD: No, it's missing a rather large amount of things to build a real linux embedded distro. You're better off using buildroot, scratchbox or something like that for that purpose.

That's pretty much what I was asking in my first post, I guess I worded it poorly

I don't care if the source used comes from Amazon's dump, other projects, or a combination. I'm just trying to find out if there's currently enough out there to build a kernel for the kindle + rootfs that's capable of launching a project like kual/koreader and whether anyone has done so.

If that's possible via the buildroot or scratchbox route without having to include any closed source blobs, do you have any links/pointers to more information on this?

NiLuJe · 01-11-2015, 12:54 PM

@JoeD: KUAL is inherently tied to the Amazon java framework, so that's no-go from the start.

JoeD · 01-11-2015, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiLuJe

@JoeD: KUAL is inherently tied to the Amazon java framework, so that's no-go from the start.

That's a shame. Cheers for the answers.

eschwartz · 01-11-2015, 01:31 PM

All KUAL does is launch stuff, which is otherwise difficult on a closed UI.

If you are building your own system to run on the Kindle, you can do the sane thing and use basic desktop specs.
Which will be faster than running a java app in order to invoke shellscripts...

knc1 · 01-11-2015, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

- - - -
If that's possible via the buildroot or scratchbox route without having to include any closed source blobs, do you have any links/pointers to more information on this?

iMX6 is a supported arch. in Buildroot -
See the on-line manual for all there is that is written about BR.
Also, join the mailing list and follow along on how things are done.
I have hired Google to keep all of my links for me.

eschwartz · 01-11-2015, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knc1

I have hired Google to keep all of my links for me.

Pulling no punches, as usual, I see. This is a new one.

brianinmaine · 01-12-2015, 06:13 AM

Twobob has a buildroot tree on github used to compile stuff, just not the whole tree? Im just learning about buildroot now... Id love to see a complete project.

knc1 · 01-12-2015, 07:53 AM

The ARM-HardFloat libraries and sample applications where generated by Buildroot.

The ability to specify non-standard library locations was added to BR at my request.
Also the ability to build a host version of patchelf.

Another little project of mine that I probably will never have time to complete.
BUT - it does demonstrate how to run two different sets of system libraries concurrently (and one of them from /mnt/us/{bin,lib} ).
(or /mnt/us/system/{bin, lib} - wherever it was that I built them for.

)

01-11-2015, 08:38 AM	#1
JoeD Guru Posts: 895 Karma: 4383958 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: na	Kernel / Rootfs I've just been reading through some past posts on here and in particular the KOReader wiki, I hadn't realised so much was now available for the kindle source wise from both amazon for the linux side and other projects for the UI/frontend. I've seen a few threads with regards to rebuilding the kernel based on the amazon source release, but has anyone rebuilt the entire rootfs from source? I have 4NT but question applies to any eInk version.

01-11-2015, 09:17 AM	#3
JoeD Guru Posts: 895 Karma: 4383958 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: na	Hi knc1, I wasn't talking about the amazon front end/reader and other items they've implemented, I meant the rootfs including udev/iptables/glib and other linux utils etc that are in the source snapshot. Mainly has anyone taken that source release such that you can boot far enough to then launch kual/koreader using only the items source is available for? From what I can see most of the source appears to be available although I haven't found any projects that have wrapped it all together. If there are still items missng what are they? For example, does Kual/KOReader make use of libs on the kindle that are closed source? Trying to get an idea as to how close the kindle is to being used with fully open software. I'm not worried about losing access to any proprietary features that amazon have implemented such as reading DRM'd ebooks, using their cloud service, syncing page etc Cheers. Last edited by JoeD; 01-11-2015 at 10:12 AM. Reason: spelling/clarification

01-11-2015, 10:28 AM	#4
NiLuJe BLAM! Posts: 13,477 Karma: 26012494 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Paris, France Device: Kindle 2i, 3g, 4, 5w, PW, PW2, PW5; Kobo H2O, Forma, Elipsa, Sage, C2E	@JoeD: No, it's missing a rather large amount of things to build a real linux embedded distro. You're better off using buildroot, scratchbox or something like that for that purpose. Last edited by NiLuJe; 01-11-2015 at 10:32 AM.

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knc1 Going Viral Posts: 17,212 Karma: 18210809 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central Texas Device: No K1, PW2, KV, KOA	The ARM-HardFloat libraries and sample applications where generated by Buildroot. The ability to specify non-standard library locations was added to BR at my request. Also the ability to build a host version of patchelf. Another little project of mine that I probably will never have time to complete. BUT - it does demonstrate how to run two different sets of system libraries concurrently (and one of them from /mnt/us/{bin,lib} ). (or /mnt/us/system/{bin, lib} - wherever it was that I built them for. )

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