What is a Stage? (Completed)

[frozenJim]

OK, so I'm at the point where I am downloading my stage(s). For pentium4 however, there are only stage2 and stage3 available on the mirror sites. (actually I'm very proud to be this far along in my installation)

I was assuming that I would be installing three stages, all in order.

Now, since there IS no stage1, I realize that I need to reconsider

So, WHAT is a stage, WHERE is stage1 and WHY am I installing stages in the first place? Do I install stages 2 and 3? Or do I CHOOSE between stage2 and stage3?

Thank you, I'm sure I'll catch on. It's FUN to be a noob again.

frozenJim

[rmalolepszy]

From the Gentoo installation documentation -
http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/h ... art1_chap2

The Three Stages

Gentoo Linux can be installed using one of three stage tarball files. The one you choose depends on how much of the system you want to compile yourself. The stage1 tarball is used when you want to bootstrap and build the entire system from scratch. The stage2 tarball is used for building the entire system from a bootstrapped "semi-compiled" state. The stage3 tarball already contains a basic Gentoo Linux system that has been built for you. As we will explain later, you can also install Gentoo without compiling anything (except your kernel and some optional packages). If you want this, you have to use a stage3 tarball.

Now what stage do you have to choose?

Starting from a stage1 allows you to have total control over the optimization settings and optional build-time functionality that is initially enabled on your system. This makes stage1 installs good for power users who know what they are doing. It is also a great installation method for those who would like to know more about the inner workings of Gentoo Linux.

A stage1 installation can only be performed when you have a working Internet connection.
Stage1 Pros and Cons
+ Allows you to have total control over the optimization settings and optional build-time functionality that is initially enabled on your system
+ Suitable for powerusers that know what they are doing
+ Allows you to learn more about the inner workings of Gentoo
- Takes a long time to finish the installation
- If you don't intend to tweak the settings, it is probably a waste of time
- Not suitable for networkless installations

Stage2 installs allow you to skip the bootstrap process and doing this is fine if you are happy with the optimization settings that we chose for your particular stage2 tarball.

A stage2 installation can only be performed when you have a working Internet connection.
Stage2 Pros and Cons
+ You don't need to bootstrap
+ Faster than starting with stage1
+ You can still tweak your settings
- You cannot tweak as much as with a stage1
- It's not the fastest way to install Gentoo
- You have to accept the optimizations we chose for the bootstrap
- Not suitable for networkless installations

Choosing to go with a stage3 allows for the fastest install of Gentoo Linux, but also means that your base system will have the optimization settings that we chose for you (which to be honest, are good settings and were carefully chosen to enhance performance while maintaining stability). stage3 is also required if you want to install Gentoo using prebuilt packages or without a network connection.
Stage3 Pros and Cons
+ Fastest way to get a Gentoo base system
+ Suitable for networkless installations
- You cannot tweak the base system - it's built already
- You cannot brag about having used stage1 or stage2

You might be interested to know that, if you decide to use different optimization settings after having installed Gentoo, you will be able to recompile your entire system with the new optimization settings.

[NeddySeagoon]

frozenJim,

Stage 1 proveides you a binary of the toolchain and the sources for the toolchain. You use the precompiled toolchain to build another one optimised to your taste. This is compiling the comppiler etc.

Stage 2 gets you the portage tree and you compile all the things you need for a basic commad line system except a kernel, boot loader and logger. If the tool chain has been updated since the stage 1 tart file was created, you find out about it here and compile it again, useing the compiler you compiled in stage 1

Stage 3 Adds the kernel, boot loader, logger and some system set up odds and ends. This gets you box that can boot without outside help but not much else.

Next you install all the applications you feel you need.

[frozenJim]

Whoops, I found the answer myself. I guess there must be no stage1 for a P4(?).

Unless I'm completely wrong, I CHOOSE a stage and carry on from there. So, I pick stage2!

Momma.. don't TRY to stop me, I'm on a roll here!!

[Pink]

The stage 1 is in the universal folder. There are no specific to cpu stage 1 files as that is the whole point of a stage 1; having everything compiled to your system. A stage 2 or 3 already has some pre-compiled files on it - thus the specific cpu stage 2 and 3 files.

[scalded]

there is no stage 1 for a pentium 4 because you compile the bootstrapping packages yourself (look in the x86 folder). If you follow the installation guide from stage 1 and set the right settings in your make.conf, you will have binaries that are similar or possibly even more optimized for your system than the stage 2 file, or you might've just wasted an hour for nothing.

I don't think you should do a stage 1 at this point unless you really want to waste some time and have tweaks to apply (like nptl with a 2.6 kernel). The first time i installed gentoo, I did a stage 2, and it helped to keep my attention span long enough for me to give this stuff a chance.

[NeddySeagoon]

scalded,

Stage 1 in an hour - thats impressive. My first stage 1 ran overnight out in the garage.

[scalded]

It could've been longer than an hour, but compiling kde immediately afterwards distorts any concept of time.

[frozenJim]

Thank you all. I fell much better educated. It's a day later and I'm all installed.

NeddySeagoon knows all about it; he's EVERYWHERE ! Thanks for all the help NeddySeagoon. I have no idea how you can answer so MANY questions. Don't you sleep?

frozenJim