Dual mode (amd64 and x86) gentoo install disk

[garlik42]

Here is what I did to create a dual mode install disk.
This disk is used to do installs on emt64 and x86 architecture machines.

First I downloaded the 2 iso's and extracted all the files into 2 different directories.
I used the x86 disk as a base for the disk, and renamed (in the root) image.squashfs to image.x86.squashfs.
I then copied the image.squashfs from the emt64 disk to image.amd64.squashfs.
The root now looks like this:

[yoshi314]

you can save some cd space by using 64bit kernel with 32bit squashfs loopfile.
(it will work if the kernel has 32bit emulation (the ones from install cds have it enabled)

you can chroot into 64bit environment with no problems from a 32bit system ran with 64bit kernel. (sounds complicated )

this would need some extra work, however, because:

1. the 64bit squashfs image might hold some extra modules for 64bit kernel
2. the kernels would probably have the same version name and would expect their modules to be in the same dir. (when i build 64bit kernels, i add 64 at the end of their name, so that the modules directory would be different)

but that would be an overkill :]

nice job.
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~amd64
shrink your /usr/portage with squashfs+aufs

[garlik42]

Interesting idea, but one of my goals with this was to be able to independantly upgrade the 64 or 32 bit kernel/root.
By merging this would squash that ability.
As far as overkill, I'm all for it

Thanks for the input.

[yoshi314]

btw i saw a couple of weeks ago an archive that contained tools you could use to make a multi-livecd media.

i mean, you could take .e.g damn small linux, mepis, knoppix, etc etc. and throw them together onto one cd-r/dvd-r disc. on boot you would be presented with a menu of available distributions on the disc.

i don't remember where i found it, but i can upload it on some ftp if someone is interested. that would extend the presented method :]
_________________
~amd64
shrink your /usr/portage with squashfs+aufs