[PlanetCCRMA] alsa-driver upgrade -- synaptic and planetccrma-core

[Brad Fuller]

fonse006 wrote:

>>===== Original Message From Brad Fuller <brad at sonaural.com> =====
>>Why, when in synaptic, when I select alsa-driver 1.0.6 to be upgraded
>>synaptic replies:
>>
>>To be removed:
>>   planetccrma-core
>>
>>I'm using the 2.6.7-1.437.1.11.rhfc2.ccrma kernel from planetedge
>>
>>Looking in the planetccrma changelog, I take it that there is some link,
>>or some stub or something builtin to this core connecting it with ALSA
>>1.0.5? Is that right? How does this actually work?
>>Is there a map of core's built, or a diagram of the architecture of
>>these builds? (Frankly Fernando, I don't know how you keep this all
>>straight. Kudos to you! You definitely have a remarkable skill)
>>
>>any clues for the clueless would be appreciated!
>>
>>brad
>>
>>--
>>
>>    
>>
>I am not that great at describing this but here goes.  First thing first, alsa 
>is part of the kernel.  Specifically, alsa is a set of kernel modules that are 
>compiled against a specific kernel tree.  Rpm is a package management system 
>that packages precompiled binary object files along with a list of 
>dependencies.  If your system does not meet all of the dependencies then rpm 
>will not let you install the file.  Apt-get is a program that keeps track of 
>repositories of pre packaged binaries (In planet ccrma's case rpm is the 
>package management, there are several other systems for linux).  Anyway, what 
>happens when you try to upgrade to the newer alsa is apt, through invoking 
>rpm, checks the to see that you have the required files on your computer.  If 
>you do it downloads them and invokes rpm --install which as I am sure you can 
>guess, installs the package.  If you do not meet the dependencies then apt 
>tries to see if it can find the required package or packages in its list of 
>repositories.  If it can, it will tell you that you need to update various 
>packages, if not then, hmmmm I am not really sure what happens then, but I 
>assume it tells you that you cannot upgrade.  
>>From my perspective there are two options that you can take (that will not be 
>more trouble than they are worth).  First and easiest, install the kernel 
>version and other files that go with the new alsa.  I would suggest that if 
>you go this route do not check upgrade on the packages, check install just in 
>case your system does not boot with the new core.  Second and not much harder, 
>download and install the src rpm for your kernel, then the source for the alsa 
>version you want and follow the directions on the alsa website to compile the 
>alsa modules against your kernel version, install the new version remove the 
>old and your set.
>I hope that helps you out.
>
>Adam
>  
>
Thanks Adam. I know how apt/synaptic/yum and rpm work. I was wondering 
what the relationship of ALSA and the kernel is -- sorry I wasn't clear 
on that.  I need to re-read my emails!

>Where is that upgrade coming from 
>
ccrma

>(BTW, thanks to fonse006 for the
>explanation). You can do an "apt-cache policy alsa-driver" to see which
>package is selected and why. 
>  
>
Ok. As I think I mentioned: I have 1.0.5a-1.cvs.rhfc2.ccrma installed 
with 1.0.6a.... as a candidate

>The planetccrma-core packages are empty. They just make sure you have a
>coherent set of packages installed for the kernel and alsa through
>requirements. Do a "rpm -q --requires planetccrma-core" to see what I
>mean). 
>
Got it.
Ok, so I still don't understand the alsa module issue as far as the 
kernel (which is probably a better question on the ALSA list and for me 
to do some reading on the ALSA site, I admit.... but)
There is the kernel-module-alsa which has the same versioning of the 
kernel AND which states is equal to the version of alsa installed (which 
I take it as not actually equal to, but is the actual version of the 
alsa kernal module installed and integrated (still unsure of this) with 
the kernel.)

# rpm -q --requires planetccrma-core
kernel-2.6.7-1.437.1.11.rhfc2.ccrma-i686
kernel-module-alsa-kernel-2.6.7-1.437.1.11.rhfc2.ccrma-i686 = 
1.0.5a-1.cvs.rhfc2.ccrma
<....more... alsa... module... listing>

Is this kernel module actually compiled in with the kernel -- making it 
an integral part of the kernel?
And, the other alsa modules *not* in the kernel but are dependent on 
this kernel module (thus, why it is the same version.).

If this is all true, then it would appear to me that I would have to 
first update an appropriate kernel  and one that would incorporate the 
alsa kernel module.

#apt-get install kernel

results in many kernels. How would one know what is the latest that 
supports the latest alsa? I'm sure there is a command for this too. I am 
happy that I remembered the one above! :-)

brad
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