How to run Linux Kernel on VMware Player / BOCHS

[osdevkid]

Dear experts,

Please clarify the below

1. Linux Kernel also have inbuild bootloader is it? then,

2. Is it possible to run/install Linux Kernel on VMware Player without GRUB bootloader ?

3. Or, is it possible to run the same on BOCHS

4. How to compile and create a iso image file for GRUB bootloader.

5. Or, is it possible to run the GRUB binary file in BOCHS.

Kindly provide your guidelines.

[Solar]

1. Linux Kernel also have inbuild bootloader is it?

The Linux kernel is commonly booted by GRUB, which has more or less replaced the prior bootloader, LILO. To my knowledge, the kernel never had something like an "inbuild" bootloader.

2. Is it possible to run/install Linux Kernel on VMware Player without GRUB bootloader ?

No, AFAIK. But I have never tried.

3. Or, is it possible to run the same on BOCHS

No, AFAIK. But I have never tried.

4. How to compile and create a iso image file for GRUB bootloader.

Wiki: Disk Images, Bootable El-Torito CD with GRUB Legacy

5. Or, is it possible to run the GRUB binary file in BOCHS.

I am, at this point, quite sure that there is some confusion on your side as to what constitutes "the GRUB binary file". There's GRUB stage1, which is what gets installed in the MBR. There is GRUB stage2, which is what the stage1 chainloads to get the GRUB boot menu / boot loader functionality (as it wouldn't fit into the MBR). There is the GRUB command line binary which can be used to install the stage1 and provide it with the location of the stage2 and the name of the menu configuration file.

Which one are you referring to?

Kindly provide your guidelines.

It is, at this point, not quite clear what you are attempting to do, and why it doesn't work for you. I assume you are somehow trying to install Linux under VMWare. I don't really know what your problem is; perhaps you'd care to elaborate.

[osdevkid]

Dear Solar,

Thanks for your reply.

My basic idea is to (compile &) build my own linux kernel and try to test it on Emulators (VMware Player or BOCHS).

[Combuster]

Try installing gentoo in a VM, and your goal is achieved

[osdevkid]

Dear Combuster,

Can u please brief little bit about gentoo.

From my quick reference, Gentoo is a another flavor of Linux distribution. How it will satisfy my above needs ? (compile &) build my own kernel and run it on VMware Player or Bochs.

[stranger]

Gentoo is a source based distribution, that means (most) packages, including kernel are being compiled on your system during instalation. So you will compile "your own" linux kernel.

[Solar]

*sigh*

Gentoo is a source-based distro, i.e. packages are not installed as binaries from some RPM or DEB archive, but directly compiled from source.

This makes it very easy to modify / customize a Gentoo installation, but requires some familiarity with Linux to set up, because Gentoo is set up starting with a command line prompt and a list of instructions. On the upside, installing Gentoo Linux will give you a good idea of what is actually required to do so, because you are the one doing it, not some magic installer software.

I would suggest you try setting up a Gentoo Linux on a real machine first. Just for the experience. I am pretty sure that will give you a good idea on how to install GRUB and a Linux kernel on a virtual machine.

[osdevkid]

Dear Solar,

As u said, first I will install Gentoo.

Thanks for your guidence.