nfsroot with kernel 2.4.x

["T. Weyergraf" <kirk@colinet.de>]

Hi list,

i am trying to netboot one alpha off another, which used to work perfectly using kernels 2.2.x.
Now, I try to boot the client using a 2.4.x kernel, which fails giving the error-message below.

config notes:
The server uses kernel 2.4.16 with the kernel-nfs server. bootp/tftp settings are correct
too. The client is able to boot *completely* using the older 2.2.9 kernel, configured
for this method.
I setup the client's 2.4.15 ( yes, it has a severe bug, but for the matter of testing, it should be ok )
according to the netboot-rules as in 2.2.9. That is, the following ( among others ) is set:
CONFIG_NET=y
CONFIG_UNIX=y
CONFIG_INET=y
CONFIG_IP_PNP_BOOTP=y
CONFIG_IP_PNP_RARP=y
CONFIG_NFS_FS=y
# CONFIG_NFS_V3 is not set
CONFIG_ROOT_NFS=y
# CONFIG_NFSD is not set
CONFIG_SUNRPC=y
CONFIG_LOCKD=y

The build is done traditionally using make boot && make bootpfile.
The client is booted using:
 boot -proto bootp ewa0 -fl "1.2.3.4:/path/to/rootfs"
with 1.2.3.4 being the correct server IP and /path/to/rootfs the nfsroot-subdir.

The IP is cofigured correctly, the kernel is being load ok. But mounting the nfsroot, it fails with this 
message:
NET4: Linux TCP/IP 1.0 for NET4.0
IP Protocols: ICMP, UDP, TCP
IP: routing cache hash table of 512 buckets, 8Kbytes
TCP: Hash tables configured (established 8192 bind 8192)
NET4: Unix domain sockets 1.0/SMP for Linux NET4.0.
Looking up port of RPC 100003/2 on 194.231.113.37
RPC: sendmsg returned error 51
portmap: RPC call returned error 51
Root-NFS: Unable to get nfsd port number from server, using default
Looking up port of RPC 100005/1 on 194.231.113.37
RPC: sendmsg returned error 51
portmap: RPC call returned error 51
Root-NFS: Unable to get mountd port number from server, using default
RPC: sendmsg returned error 51
mount: RPC call returned error 51
Root-NFS: Server returned error -51 while mounting /home/colinet/dis
VFS: Unable to mount root fs via NFS, trying floppy.
request_module[block-major-2]: Root fs not mounted
VFS: Cannot open root device "" or 02:00
Please append a correct "root=" boot option
Kernel panic: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on 02:00

note, that rpcinfo on the server shows the relevant ports being serviced and the exports are
setup correct.

I have the unholy feeling, that I'm missing something *very stupid*.

Any ideas ?

Regards,
Thomas Weyergraf


-- 
Thomas Weyergraf                                                kirk@colinet.de
My Favorite IA64 Opcode-guess ( see arch/ia64/lib/memset.S )
"br.ret.spnt.few" - got back from getting beer, did not spend a lot.