[iConnect] NAND install

[nicebloom]

Hi all,
Currently I am looking to install Archlinuxarm to the NAND of my iConnect.
I am curious about some points. After reading all the official guides I have still questions in my mind.
First of all, what happens if the kernel gets updated via pacman?
Do I have to manually install it to the corresponding NAND device? (probably I have to)
Are there other things to consider when I want to install it the way I want to do?

Any recommendations are welcome.

Cheers,

nIcE

[pazos]

Hi nicebloom!

I would suggest you a cycling release distro (vs a rolling release as archlinux). Debian (or emdebian) fits in iconnect's nand and works well (debian squeeze, not wheeze for the moment). The main advantage of debian vs archlinuxarm on nand install is that you'll need to upgrade your system just a few times. If you plan to do a `pacman -Syu`on your archlinux nand install you'll be overwritten a lot of nand space and it seems to reduce your nand's life.

Anyways, you'll need to install the kernel for yourself. It's an easy process, but the kernel may overwrite default iconnect's firmware, and you won't be able to boot with it. Assuming that you don't want to use iconnect's firmware you just need to modify the mtdparts value (with fw_setenv), u-boot needs 1m, your kernel could fit in 3-4MB or less, and all the free space can be used as root ubifs.