README and FAQ for the fla driver.
$FreeBSD$
[0] COPYRIGHT & LICENSE
Please read the COPYRIGHT file carefully. If you cannot
agree to be bound by the terms of this license, please
contact M-systems and make arrangements with them.
[1] Which devices are supported ?
The driver has been tested with the following devices:
DiskOnChip2000 (8, 12, 24, 32, 40, 72, 144 MB)
DiskOnChipMillenium (8 MB)
[2] Which firmware version ?
The driver has only been tested with version 1.21, but should
also work with earlier versions.
[3] How many devices ?
The driver supports up to 8 devices but have been tested only
with 5 due to hardware limitations in my test setup.
[4] Which FreeBSD versions ?
The driver is tested for 4.0-CURRENT and 3.2-STABLE. Porting
to earlier versions of FreeBSD should be a simple matter of
modifying the fla.c file. [patches are welcome]
For 3.2-STABLE sources earlier than 1999-08-01 you
will need to apply the patch in file patch.00
[5] Can I install FreeBSD with sysinstall ?
Yes, from medio july FreeBSD-4.X snapshots have recognized the
fla devices in sysinstall. You need to build a custom kernel
with the driver though. See below about booting from a fla
device.
[6] How to boot from a fla device ?
The FreeBSD kernel recognizes the root device using various
hacks. These hacks doesn't recognize the fla device so some
"real" hacks are needed to boot from your fla device.
In 4.0 current the easiest way is to configure your kernel with
the
options ROOTDEVNAME=\"fla0\"
In older versions, specifying the boot device in the kernel
config file this way is the easiest way to do it:
config kernel root on major 28 minor 65538
[7] How to disklabel a fla device ?
Look at the script in prep.fla.sh, it will do the job for you.
[8] Who to contact ?
doc2k@phk.freebsd.dk will offer limited best-effort help
to the extent time permits.
[9] Will more documentation be forthcoming ?
YES.
Good Luck,
Poul-Henning
