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<TITLE>Linux 2.4.x Initialization for IA-32 HOWTO: Introduction</TITLE>
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<H2><A NAME="s1">1. Introduction</A></H2>
<P>
<P>Portions of this text come from comments in the kernel source
files (obviously). I have added annotations in many places.
I hope that this will be useful to kernel developers -- either
new ones or experienced ones who need more of this type of
information. However, if there's not enough detail here for
you, "Use the Source."
<P>
<H2><A NAME="ss1.1">1.1 Overview</A>
</H2>
<P>
<P>This description is organized as a brief overview which
lists the sections that are described later in more detail.
<P>The description is in three main sections. The first section covers
early kernel initialization on IA-32 (but only after your boot loader of
choice and other intermediate loaders have run; i.e., this description
does not cover loading the kernel).
This section is based on the code in "linux/arch/i386/boot/setup.S"
and "linux/arch/i386/boot/video.S".
<P>The second major section covers Linux initialization that is
x86- (or i386- or IA-32-) specific. This section is based on the source
files "linux/arch/i386/kernel/head.S" and "linux/arch/i386/kernel/setup.c".
<P>The third major section covers Linux initialization that is
architecture-independent. This section is based on the flow in the
source file "linux/init/main.c".
<P>See the References section for other valuable documents
about booting, loading, and initialization.
<P>
<H2><A NAME="ss1.2">1.2 This document</A>
</H2>
<P>
<P>This document describes Linux 2.4.x initialization on IA-32
(or i386 or x86) processors -- after one or more kernel boot loaders
(if any) have done their job.
<P>You can format it using the commands (for example):
<P>
<BLOCKQUOTE><CODE>
<PRE>
% sgml2txt ia32_init_240.sgml
</PRE>
</CODE></BLOCKQUOTE>
or
<BLOCKQUOTE><CODE>
<PRE>
% sgml2html ia32_init_240.sgml
</PRE>
</CODE></BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>This will produce plain ASCII or HTML files respectively.
You can also produce LaTeX, GNU, and RTF info by using the proper
sgmltool (man sgmltools).
<P>
<H2><A NAME="ss1.3">1.3 Contributions</A>
</H2>
<P>
<P>Additions and corrections are welcome. Please send them
to me (rddunlap@ieee.org). Contributions of section
descriptions that are used will be credited to their author(s).
<P>
<H2><A NAME="ss1.4">1.4 Trademarks</A>
</H2>
<P>
<P>All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
<P>
<H2><A NAME="ss1.5">1.5 License</A>
</H2>
<P>
<P>Copyright (C) 2001 Randy Dunlap.
<P>This document may be distributed only subject to the terms
and conditions set forth in the LDP (Linux Documentation Project)
License at "http://www.linuxdoc.org/COPYRIGHT.html".
<P>
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