Hi !

Ok, we recently discussed the way to implement bootp booting in the
kernel. I just wanted to check out, how complicated this would be and,
surprise: it's already implemented :-) (Should read the common kernel
parts more often). Here's how to do it (for those who can compile their
own kernel):

In you conf-file (GENERIC or how you called it), there is a line:

options        NFS_BOOT_BOOTPARAM

I often thought, it's to disable network root FS, but, examining the
sources, there are also the following possibilities:

options        NFS_BOOT_BOOTP
options        NFS_BOOT_DHCP

BOOTP if nicer 'cause of the netmask also supported (i hope, this works,
my network is correctly Class-C with 192.168-addresses), BOOTPARAM makes
trouble with often used 10.x.x.x networks with Class-C-netmask.

You can, according to the configuration of the i386-port, use the
following:

options         NFS_BOOT_BOOTP,NFS_BOOT_BOOTPARAM

Then the kernel should try both protocols i think. DHCP is not
recommended, a very stupid idea from Redmont giving the hosts dynamic
IP-addresses, which can change from boot to boot, and as i know, even
while running. Don't think this is "network compatible".

As BOOTPARAMS, BOOTP gives the clients ip-addresses according to their
unique MAC address, a kind of "serial number" for network cards. You can
give much more information with bootp, like hostname, domain, dns, yp
servers, everything you need to get a network running. (My Linux
workstations are all completely configured by bootp, and sometimes, when
i want frustrating computer experience and boot my Windows box, this is
also configured this way.)

If someone needs a precompiled kernel, please wait until the current
sources are available as tarball (maybe the weekend again), i want to
include some other VAX-related changes (Who had this 4000/90 ? I still
need the SID value and so...) and compile the kernel with new hardware
detection and auto-console-detect implemented by Ragge last weekend.

(For those who can't wait till weekend, my VAX is just compiling the
kernel, but it's a 990304-version, only support for 4000 VLC is added.
Just write a mail).

cu.. Michael