[Offtopic] Cross compiling a native toolchain

[Mijzelf]

I am trying to build a native toolchain for a ZyXEL NAS540, using a cross compile toolchain.

That box has a deviant page size of 64kB, causing all binaries which are not compiled explicitely for this box to be Killed. I wrote the results of some of my investigations here: http://www.zyxelforum.de/viewtopic.php?f=242&t=8200

After building binutils and gcc I can build a 'hello world' on my NAS, but the binary crashes with 'Killed'. When I compile the .c file on my NAS and link it on my PC, it runs. I intercepted the call to ld to see if gcc somehow specified the strange page size on the command line, but it didn't. So I guess the created ld binary should take care for the page size, and fails.

How do I specify such details when building binutils?

[WarheadsSE]

Having read that thread, thank you for properly using the ARMvX format of specifications for generations, and not ARMX for familial trees.

From what I am seeing, that is indeed a bit odd. Now, I have never seen the 540 myself, so I can't lend that much of hand remotely, but you should be able to get that page size tweak based on the kernel headers from the end target.

If you can get me more information on the device, I might be able to assist you in getting full ALARM support, unless you want only to run foreign binaries on their userland.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('WarheadsSE', 'H')aving read that thread, thank you for properly using the ARMvX format of specifications for generations, and not ARMX for familial trees.

[WarheadsSE]

I would love if this could be confirmed to be the original Comcerto or the Freescale incorporated version.

I am looking & asking around about your page size issue.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('WarheadsSE', 'I') would love if this could be confirmed to be the original Comcerto or the Freescale incorporated version.

[WarheadsSE]

"This" being the SoC involved.

[Mijzelf]

Do you mean that Freescale changed the design? If yes, how can the difference be determined? Is it enough to read the chip branding? (I must admit that I haven't opened the case yet )

[Mijzelf]

I added PCB photos to the Wiki. The SoC is definitely Freescale branded.

[Mijzelf]

Meanwhile I received the GPL sources+toolchain. (1.9TB!). I have examined the differences between the kernelsource+config of the Synology DS414 and the ZyXEL NAS540. The sources are based on the same arch/arm/mach-comcerto/* files, but both ZyXEL and Synology have adapthed them a bit. (gpio and stuff).
As far as I could judge, the only relevant difference in the config is:$this->bbcode_second_pass_code('', 'config COMCERTO_64K_PAGES
bool "Comcerto 64kB pages"
default n
help
Say Y to enable 64kB pages instead of the default 4kB. Memory usage will be increased, but
per-page operations will be reduced, and data transfers will become more efficient.')For the ZyXEL this is set to yes, for the Synology to 'not set'.
Grepping through the kernel sources, this flag is used on much places outside the mach-comcerto directory.

Well, the good news it that apearently the page size is not hardware imposed, so by compiling my own kernel I should be able to run my own OS.

[WarheadsSE]

WOoo