Re: [PATCH] linux-{kernel,modules}-di-mips{,el}: add support for MIPS Malta

[Thiemo Seufer <ths@networkno.de>]

Aurelien Jarno wrote:
> On Sun, Jan 20, 2008 at 08:10:07PM +0100, Frans Pop wrote:
> > On Sunday 20 January 2008, Aurelien Jarno wrote:
> > > +++
> > > kernel/linux-kernel-di-mips-2.6/modules/4kc-malta/fb-modules	(révision 0)
> > > @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
> > > +aty128fb
> > > +atyfb
> > > +radeonfb
> > > +cfbcopyarea
> > > +cfbfillrect
> > > +cfbimgblt
> > > +cyber2000fb
> > > +kyrofb
> > > +macmodes
> > > +g450_pll
> > > +matroxfb_DAC1064
> > > +matroxfb_Ti3026
> > > +matroxfb_accel
> > > +matroxfb_base
> > > +matroxfb_crtc2
> > > +matroxfb_g450
> > > +matroxfb_misc
> > > +neofb
> > > +nvidiafb
> > > +pm2fb
> > > +savagefb
> > > +sisfb
> > > +sstfb
> > > +tdfxfb
> > > +tridentfb
> > 
> > Are those really all needed and are they actually used during installation?
> 
> I have actually copied this file from the sb1a-bcm91480b flavour (with
> minor modifications). This board is similar to the Malta one by the fact
> it supports PCI cards. Those modules are not needed for the QEMU emulation,
> but I don't really know if they are useful or not for the real board.

The Malta firmware (YAMON) doesn't support graphic consoles. IOW, a serial
line is at least needed to start the installer. Once the kernel is started,
it could use the framebuffer console if a PCI card is present, altough this
is not the typical mode of operation.

So, yes, the modules could be used, but using them during installation
doesn't add much value.


Thiemo