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Apple filesystem linux driver

October 22, 2026 — BarryK

Support for the Apple filesystem was added to EasyOS, see:

https://bkhome.org/news/202610/fix-support-apple-filesystems.html

However, a driver is also needed for the Linux kernel:

https://github.com/linux-apfs/linux-apfs-rw

...this will be the 'apfs.ko' module.

I have added this in woofQ2, so the driver will be in the next kernel compile.   

Tags: easy

EasyOS Excalibur-series version 7.4.92

October 15, 2026 — BarryK

This is a release-candidate for Easy 7.5, built with 7.2.10 kernel and excalibur-backports (trixie-backports) packages. Changes since 7.4.11:

Yes, this is now an official upgrade from Easy 7.4.11 and earlier. Or, if you previously installed Easy 7.4.90, you can update that if you wish.

Download:

https://distro.ibiblio.org/easyos/amd64/releases/excalibur/2026/7.4.92/

Feedback welcome at the forum:

https://forum.puppylinux.com/viewtopic.php?p=178212#p178212

Have fun!   

Tags: easy

Kernel 7.2.10 compiled with hugepage support

October 14, 2026 — BarryK

See yesterday posts about the 7.2.10 kernel:

https://bkhome.org/news/202610/broadcom-sta-driver-compiled-for-7210-kernel.html

https://bkhome.org/news/202610/linux-kernel-7210-compiled.html

Forum member Overdrive5 started this thread discussing hugepages:

https://forum.puppylinux.com/viewtopic.php?t=17544

OK, I have recompiled the 7.2.10 kernel:

Filesystems -> Pseudo filesystems ->
  HugeTLB filesystem support
Memory management options ->
  Transparent hugepage support

Let's see, now have these:

CONFIG_HAVE_ARCH_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE=y
CONFIG_HAVE_ARCH_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE_PUD=y
CONFIG_ARCH_WANT_OPTIMIZE_HUGETLB_VMEMMAP=y
CONFIG_ARCH_WANT_HUGETLB_VMEMMAP_PREINIT=y
CONFIG_ARCH_ENABLE_HUGEPAGE_MIGRATION=y
CONFIG_ARCH_WANT_GENERAL_HUGETLB=y
CONFIG_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE=y
# CONFIG_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE_ALWAYS is not set
# CONFIG_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE_MADVISE is not set
CONFIG_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE_NEVER=y
CONFIG_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE_SHMEM_HUGE_NEVER=y
# CONFIG_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE_SHMEM_HUGE_ALWAYS is not set
# CONFIG_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE_SHMEM_HUGE_WITHIN_SIZE is not set
# CONFIG_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE_SHMEM_HUGE_ADVISE is not set
CONFIG_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE_TMPFS_HUGE_NEVER=y
# CONFIG_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE_TMPFS_HUGE_ALWAYS is not set
# CONFIG_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE_TMPFS_HUGE_WITHIN_SIZE is not set
# CONFIG_TRANSPARENT_HUGEPAGE_TMPFS_HUGE_ADVISE is not set
CONFIG_ARCH_SUPPORTS_HUGETLBFS=y
CONFIG_HUGETLBFS=y
# CONFIG_HUGETLB_PAGE_OPTIMIZE_VMEMMAP_DEFAULT_ON is not set
CONFIG_HUGETLB_PAGE=y
CONFIG_HUGETLB_PAGE_OPTIMIZE_VMEMMAP=y
CONFIG_HUGETLB_PMD_PAGE_TABLE_SHARING=y

We shall see how this turns out!  

Tags: easy

Broadcom-sta driver compiled for 7.2.10 kernel

October 13, 2026 — BarryK

Earlier today posted about compiling the 7.2.10 linux kernel, but unable to compile the broadcom-sta wl.ko module. Have found source that compiles.

Where did I get it? It will be in woofQ2, when next upload it, but I got it from an Ubuntu site, I think from here:

https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/stonking/+package/broadcom-sta-dkms 

It was this: broadcom-sta-dkms_6.30.223.271-32_amd64v3.deb  

Tags: easy

Linux kernel 7.2.10 compiled

October 13, 2026 — BarryK

Recently there was an experimental build of EasyOS with 7.2.6 kernel and excalibur-backports packages:

https://bkhome.org/news/202609/easyos-version-7490-maybe-75rc.html

The kernel has some issues, one being iptables support is dropped. I do need to update the firewall; however, for now, compiled the 7.2.10 kernel with this:

Networking Support -> Networking Options ->
  Network packet filtering framework (netfilter) ->
    Core netfilter configuration -->
      [*] Netfilter legacy tables support

It results in: 

CONFIG_NETFILTER_XTABLES_LEGACY = y
CONFIG_IP_NF_IPTABLES_LEGACY = m
CONFIG_IP6_NF_IPTABLES_LEGACY = m

In the 6.12.x kernel compile, v4l2loopback (v4l2loopback-dc.ko) and broadcom-sta (wl.ko) modules are compiled; however, they don't compile with the 7.2 kernel. I found updated source for v4l2loopback, so now have v4loopback.ko (note the different name); however was unable to find broadcom-sta source that will compile -- so will have to use the Broadcom drivers in the kernel; brcmfmac.ko, brcnsmac.ko and b43.ko -- maybe they have improved enough to be usable?

If anyone finds broadcom-sta source that compiles with the 7.2 kernel let me know. I have found some purporting to, but still won't compile.  

Tags: easy

Another bug fix for Easy Installer

October 09, 2026 — BarryK

Caramel posted a fix that was implemented in Easy 7.4.11:

https://forum.puppylinux.com/viewtopic.php?t=17502

However, there is still another problem. Caramel reported that /usr/local/easy_install/support/partition_unallocated reformats boot and working-partition, even if they already have vfat and ext4 filesystems.

I'm straining my brain to recall how it all hangs together; however, have implemented questions in the script, do you really want to wipe existing filesystem. I think that should do the trick, and not cause confusion. The changes are marked by "#20261009".   

Tags: easy

Fix support Apple filesystems

October 09, 2026 — BarryK

Reported implemented support here:

But it didn't quite work, I overlooked one patch. Now fixed, see forum thread:

https://forum.puppylinux.com/viewtopic.php?t=17258

retiredt00 tested with that fix to probepart script, it works.   

Tags: easy