Building Linux kernel and Filesystem Separately

Preface

Sometimes it's more convenient to build root file system and a Linux kernel separately. This guide covers an example when it's necessary to build those images separately for ARC HS38 target.

Building Root Filesystem

Clone Buildroot:

$ Clone the latest Buildroot
$ git clone https://git.busybox.net/buildroot

# ... or use a custom repository for support of ARCv3 targets
$ https://github.com/foss-for-synopsys-dwc-arc-processors/buildroot

$ cd buildroot

Use snps_archs38_haps_defconfig configuration file for this example and enter a configuration menu:

$ make snps_archs38_haps_defconfig
$ make menuconfig

Deselect an option for the Linux kernel and select an appropriate filesystem for your needs:

Kernel -> [ ] Linux kernel
Filesystem images -> [*] cpio the root filesystem # For use as an initial RAM filesystem
                  -> ext2/3/4 root filesystem     # For mounting from a storage

Build the filesystem image:

make