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Table of Contents
dCore Updates (kernel and initrd)
The dCore base system consists of only two files. The first is a Linux kernel, specific to the dCore version being run (eg. vmlinuz-xenial). The second an initrd (compressed Linux file system, eg. dCore-xenial.gz) containing the directory structure, applications and scripts that run the system (eg. BusyBox tools, dCore scripts). True to the Tiny Core philosophy both files are small (kernel <4 MB, initrd ~12 MB).
dCore Kernel Updates
As dCore kernel updates are rare there is no automated system to check and apply updates. Although the uname -a command is useful, it does not provide helpful information regarding dCore kernel updates. The latest dCore kernels can be manually downloaded from dCore's site (stable releases, release candidates) using a web browser or wget. Depending on permissions of the directory, sudo may be needed. Example:
wget http://tinycorelinux.net/dCore/x86/release/dCore-trusty/vmlinuz-trusty
As dCore boots to RAM, manually updating the kernel is simple:
- Download updated kernel.
- Replace the old kernel in dCore's boot directory.
- Recommend backing up old kernel.
- Reboot system for the update to take effect.
dCore Initrd Updates
Rapid dCore development may result in frequent initrd updates to provide bug fixes and add new features, particularly if tracking release candidates. Running the version -c command checks if running the latest release and version -r checks if running the latest release candidate. If a dCore system update is available, permission is requested to wget the latest dCore-*.gz and md5sum files to the boot directory specified in /etc/sysconfig/boot_path. Review the notes contained in /etc/sysconfig/boot_path to properly configure the file. Reboot to apply the update.
Usage options from the 'version –help' command:
version - Confirm dCore version, check for release or release candidate (RC)
updates, prompted to download an available update to the directory
specified in /etc/sysconfig/boot_path. Review this file for details.
The partition will auto-mount if /mnt/* is included in the pathway
and the entry exists in /etc/fstab. The existing dCore*.gz and
*.md5.txt files are automatically backed up before the update
is downloaded. Number of backups kept can also be specified.
Reboot system to complete the update.
Usage:
version List running dCore name and version.
version -c Check if running the latest stable release, if different version
available prompted to download, wget latest stable release and
md5.txt file to directory specified in /etc/sysconfig/boot_path.
version -r Check if running the latest release candidate, if an update is
available prompted to download, wget latest release candidate and
md5.txt file to directory specified in /etc/sysconfig/boot_path.
version -l List running dCore name and version.
version -s See dCore version only.
Alternatively, initrd updates can be manually downloaded from dCore ports. via web browser or wget. Depending on permissions of the directory, sudo may be needed. Example:
wget http://tinycorelinux.net/dCore/x86/release/dCore-trusty/dCore-trusty.gz
Similar to manually installing an updated dCore kernel, users wishing to manually update the initrd file may:
- Download updated initrd file.
- Replace the old initrd file in dCore's boot directory.
- Recommend backing up old initrd file.
- Reboot system for the update to take effect.
In regards to updating SCE extensions, review the dCore sce-update Command.
