Handbook:PPC64/Installation/Bootloader

PPC64 Handbook
Installation
About the installation
Choosing the media
Configuring the network
Preparing the disks
The stage file
Installing base system
Configuring the kernel
Configuring the system
Installing tools
Configuring the bootloader
Finalizing
Working with Gentoo
Portage introduction
USE flags
Portage features
Initscript system
Environment variables
Working with Portage
Files and directories
Variables
Mixing software branches
Additional tools
Custom package repository
Advanced features
OpenRC network configuration
Getting started
Advanced configuration
Modular networking
Wireless
Adding functionality
Dynamic management

With the kernel configured and compiled and the necessary system configuration files filled in correctly, it is time to install a program that will fire up the kernel when the system boots. Such a program is called a boot loader.

Note
Currently using Petitboot on Talos systems is undocumented in Gentoo. Please add the steps to TalosII#Bootloader and notify on this Discussion page when ready to merge into the Handbook.

Using GRUB

GRUB is a bootloader for PPC64 powered Linux machines.

Installation

root #emerge --ask sys-boot/grub

Mac hardware (G5)

Setup bootstrap partition

First, prepare the bootstrap partition that was created created during the preparing the disk step. Following the example, this partition should be /dev/sda2. Optionally, confirm this by using parted:

Replace /dev/sda with the correct device if required.

root #parted /dev/sda print

Model: ATA Patriot Burst El (scsi)

<!--T:56-->
Disk /dev/sda: 120GB

<!--T:57-->
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B

<!--T:58-->
Partition Table: mac

<!--T:59-->
Disk Flags:

<!--T:60-->
Number  Start   End     Size    File system  Name       Flags
 1      512B    32.8kB  32.3kB               Apple
 2      32.8kB  852kB   819kB   hfs          bootstrap  boot
 3      852kB   538MB   537MB   ext4         Boot
 4      538MB   54.2GB  53.7GB  ext4         Gentoo

In this output, partition 2 has the bootstrap information so /dev/sda2 is the correct path to use.

Format this partition as HFS using the hformat command which is part of the sys-fs/hfsutils package:

root #dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda2 bs=512

root #hformat -l bootstrap /dev/sda2

Create a directory to mount the bootstrap partition and then mount it:

root #mkdir /boot/NWBB

root #mount --types hfs /dev/sda2 /boot/NWBB

Setup GRUB

root #grub-install --macppc-directory=/boot/NWBB /dev/sda2

If it installs without errors, unmount the bootstrap:

root #umount /boot/NWBB

Next, bless the partition so it will boot:

root #hmount /dev/sda2

root #hattrib -t tbxi -c UNIX :System:Library:CoreServices:BootX

root #hattrib -b :System:Library:CoreServices

root #humount

Finally, build the grub.cfg file:

root #grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

IBM hardware

Setting up Grub on IBM hardware is as simple as:

Setup GRUB

root #grub-install /dev/sda1

Note
/dev/sda1 is the PReP boot partition made in the partitioning stage

Grub config

Finally. build the grub.cfg file:

root #grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Rebooting the system

Exit the chrooted environment and unmount all mounted partitions. Then type in that one magical command that initiates the final, true test: reboot.

(chroot) livecd #exit

livecd~#cd

livecd~#umount -l /mnt/gentoo/dev{/shm,/pts,}

livecd~#umount -R /mnt/gentoo

livecd~#reboot

Do not forget to remove the live image, otherwise it may be targeted again instead of the newly installed Gentoo system!

Once rebooted in the fresh Gentoo environment, it is wise to finish with Finalizing the Gentoo installation.

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