Re: [RFC] Online firmware upgrade in non-embedded systems

[Alexander Clouter <alex@digriz.org.uk>]

In gmane.linux.kernel Ben Hutchings <bhutchings@solarflare.com> wrote:
> 
> Currently the sfc network driver is optionally combined with an MTD
> driver (CONFIG_SFC_MTD) which exposes all upgradable firmware and
> configuration partitions in flash.  This works nicely in kernels with
> MTD enabled, but since MTD is mainly used in embedded systems with
> on-board flash it is often disabled in distribution kernels and custom
> kernels alike.  This leaves users of sfc unable to upgrade firmware
> without rebuilding the kernel or booting some other distribution.  The
> lack of widespread MTD support is a regular cause of support requests.
> 
----
ac56@proxy0:~$ uname -a
Linux proxy0 2.6.32-5-686 #1 SMP Wed Aug 25 14:28:12 UTC 2010 i686 GNU/Linux
ac56@proxy0:~$ cat /etc/debian_version 
squeeze/sid
ac56@proxy0:~$ grep CONFIG_SFC_MTD /boot/config-2.6.32-5-686 
CONFIG_SFC_MTD=y
ac56@proxy0:~$ grep '^CONFIG_MTD' /boot/config-2.6.32-5-686 | wc
     72      72    1693
----

I tell them "use a real distribution".

Cheers

-- 
Alexander Clouter
.sigmonster says: BOFH excuse #119:
                  evil hackers from Serbia.