
   Hi all !

This is a small extention for the etherboot package. It allows to load
the *.com binaries with the bootprom code without DOS.


How does it work ?
==================

The package uses the linux bootsector code
(linux/arch/i386/boot/bootsect*) to load the bootprom code, and a few
lines assembler code (netsetup.s) to clear the screen and call the
bootprom code. The stuff will be put together using the build program
which comes with the linux-kernel too (linux/arch/i386/boot/tools/build*)

Not surprising, the result looks a little bit like a linux kernel :-)


How to build it ?
=================

1) You need the linux kernel sources, becauce this package requires some
   files from the linux kernel. The config-files created by 'make config'
   are required too. If you have never compiled a kernel, you have to
   run 'make config' in the linux source directory.

2) Edit the Makefile. You probably want to change the bootprom-binary
   which should be used, depending on your ethernet card. If you
   have'nt the linux kernel sources in /usr/src/linux, you have to
   change the LINUXSRC variable too.

3) type 'make'. This should build a file called 'netImage'.


And now?
========

Basically, you can use the 'netImage' file much like a linux-kernel,
but instead of booting the kernel, the bootprom code will be started.
You can:

  - copy netImage to a floppy (using "make floppy"), and use this
    floppy as bootdisk, or

  - use lilo to load netImage.

Loadlin does not work, becauce it depends on the original linux setup
code (which is'nt present in netImage) for interrupt-vector handling.


  Have fun!


Note: I have tested the stuff with an ELF-system only (BTW: both
      1.2.13 and 1.3.78 kernel sources work fine). May be you run in
      trouble if you try to use this with an a.out-system.

--
Gerd Knorr <kraxel@cs.tu-berlin.de>

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