How to test a small kernel in a VM? - operating-system

Say I developed a small kernel and I wanted to try it out in a VM.
If I have the kernel image, how would I get it into a VM in VirtualBox, for example? More importantly, how do I get a bootloader like Grub installed into the VM?

I think the easiest way might be to install some version of Linux, and then edit your grub config files to add in your own kernel, Add it as another boot option.

Related

How was Grub programmed without OS? And is it possible to install only the grub bootloader in an newly assembled UEFI PC with no other OS installed?

In which platform/Environment/OS was grub bootloader programmed? Example the linux kernal was programmed on GCC compiler on MINIX OS, but how was grub made? Since grub is a bootloader (that loads the OS), how was it programmed without using an OS (Like we use IDE as a tool to make an application or any C program cannot execute without C compiler, similarly which tool was used to develop grub)
If I bought a new machine(64 bit intel system with UEFI) with no OS installed, is it possible for me to install grub bootloader (only the bootloader without any linux distro) in this machine.
If the above is possible then what are the steps to install grub directly without any os (Assume that I have an additional windows/Linux PC with me and I have the following src code of grub from here
https://git.savannah.gnu.org/git/grub.git/
https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/grub/ )
With this how can I install the grub bootloader in a UEFI system without no os installed and no partition created (Imagine as if the PC is assembled and no OS is still installed but it has UEFI interface).
If it is possible to install only the grub bootloader, then how can I install windows and any linux OS from the grub menu when I boot the system. (Assume that the PC that I am installing is a UEFI system and it has no OS installed on it)
Now, I'm not an expert at the subject, but to my knowledge(never tried it) u might be able to do that, with something like arch linux.
U can just install grub onto the drive but there wont be a place to store the config files if u dont have a proper installed OS. So I know this answer has been vague but in general, the answer is yes but a minimal OS is needed, i have seen with metasploitable, the OS is small, vulnerable and has the grub bootloader too
maybe u could also install an OS and then change grub to not display any OS
also if I understand correctly, u do not need this, but just were wondering
Or u plan on using it with windows, which to my knowledge, should work but with limited customizability(unless u install a linux distro with it)
Thank You
If you want try to customize grub2 from source code try Buildroot. You can configure grub2, see readme. grub2 source code is written in C and asm and use old-school GNU Automake build system, no cmake support.

How to 'factory reset'/reinstall OS on the Intel Edison

I've filled up my Intel Edison 100% and have no room for anything more. I've emptied all logs and am still at 100%. I decided I want to factory reset and reorganize next time with the SD card better. Unfortunately I cannot find out how to reinstall completely the OS.
I've tried downloding the Yocto linux image off the intel downloads page, and uploading that to the Edison. However, it still is running the same as before...
For some reason I distinctly remember (pretty sure anyway...) reading a command to 'reset' everything. I just can't find any documentation now that I need it. Does anyone know how to do this?
Found the command, it's reboot ota
This is my checklist
Install dfu-util (on Linux: sudo apt-get install dfu-util)
Download Release 3.0 Yocto* complete image and unzip it
Connect the module using both USB connectors.
Run sudo ./flashall.sh --recovery
Wait for the script to finish and then a few extra minutes for the module to boot.
I've found one USB hub that didn't work, I had to connect directly to the USB port on the computer.
I'm not sure if you need both usb connectors but at least the one for main power is needed.
flashall.sh is found in the unzipped directory.

Run OS installed on external drive in windows

I have an external hard drive connected to my computer via USB cable with Linux OS installed on it.
Is there a way that i can run this Linux while using Windows?
Like in virtual machine or something like that?
You can but you'll need to download a good enough emulator not small ones such as Bochs.Then configure the settings of the emulator such that it boots up the USB drive.Let me know which emulator you'd be using and I will help you setup if I know.
Yes you can. You'll need to download Oracle VM VirtualBox and use that. Its very easy to use. Just after you set up the Virtual machine you'll need to tell it to boot from usb.

how to install operating system on a virtual machine programatically

It may be a duplicate question but i could not find it anywhere.
Anyway, my goal to install operating system(both linux and windows) programatically on a virtual machine running on vmware hosts.
Although my search, I am quite lost about where to start.
Is there a framework or project you can suggest?
You could use templates; i.e. create a VM, install the Linux distribution of your choice and make the VM a template. Then don't create VMs but deploy the template.
Alternatively, google for the Linux distribution of your choice and something like "network installation". You'll need a DHCP server and probably a TFTP and/or web server.
Working with Templates and Clones
Creating VMware Virtual Machine Templates
Try having a look at Vagrant: http://www.vagrantup.com/. It allows you to install/uninstall a predefined VM from the command line.

How do i create a VM Ware Image of an AIX LPAR?

I want to clone a AIX LPAR and was wondering if the physical machine could be converted into a VM Image?
I have used the VMWare Converter to create a VM Image of a physical windows box and the documentation states that you can do that for Linux Boxes too.
http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/
I don't see information on AIX or the other UNIXes.
If creating an VM Image of an existing physical AIX box is not feasible is there any easy way to clone the AIX image to another AIX machine.
The primary intent is to avoid re-creating the setup that is already performed for the current AIX box and we want a duplicate environment with the same setup.
VMware supports x86 (and x86_64) architectures for host and guest only. IBM AIX runs on the Power architecture, and VMWare does not do architecture emulation, so what you want does not exist.
If you want to back up/clone your AIX instance to another machine, look for information regarding mksysb and AIX Sysback.
You might want to take a look at the following, but there are no guarantees, and I'm fairly certain running AIX on anything but a Power architecture is still not a reality at this time:
Qemu
PearPC
Based on further reading, i understand that VMWare does not support AIX. The guest OS can primarily be Windows, various distros of LINUX and Mac-OSX. I also see Solaris as a supported guest OS, but i don't see AIX. So i don't think this is possible.
I would have to look at the Virtualization features supported from IBM for this activity.
Thanks,
Manglu