Ubuntu-xen-desktop does not install a dom0 kernel

[jfranks]

Binary package hint: ubuntu-xen-desktop

Package neither creates a xen dom0 kernel in /boot nor does it install any usable xen boot entries in /boot/grub/=menu.lst

ProblemType: Bug
Architecture: amd64
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 8.10
Package: ubuntu-xen-desktop 0.0.1-2ubuntu10
ProcEnviron:
 PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/games
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: xen-meta
Uname: Linux 2.6.27-7-server x86_64

[Todd Deshane (deshantm)]

This is not a bug, it is expected. A dom0 kernel is not included in 8.10 (intrepid). I would expect that the hardy dom0 should work, but haven't personally tested it. You could also consider the dom0 kernel from xen.org, debian, or opensuse.

Xen dom0 support on ubuntu should be back once xen dom0 support is in mainline Linux, this is expect in 2.6.28 or so.

Fedora is doing the same thing with dom0 support. opensuse and now debian unstable have recent forward-ported kernels.

upstream references:
http://wiki.xensource.com/xenwiki/XenParavirtOps
http://xenbits.xensource.com/paravirt_ops/patches.hg/

[clint (clint-xenir)]

I must disagree. This is a bug. Silent failure is NEVER an acceptable design decision. If a Xen dom0 kernel is no longer included in Ubuntu, this package MUST fail on installation in order to provide indication to the user that it is not capable of satisfying its dependencies.

This problem also exists in ubuntu-xen-server.

[Todd Deshane (deshantm)]

Official support for Xen on Ubuntu/Fedora isn't likely to be offered until Xen dom0 support gets into mainline linux.

For updates on that effort and other alternatives for dom0 kernels to try see:

http://wiki.xensource.com/xenwiki/XenDom0Kernels
http://wiki.xensource.com/xenwiki/XenParavirtOps

So, it is a bug, but the current workaround takes some manual work. There are some very good howtos that can be found online that explain in detail how to get various kernels working on various versions of Ubuntu.

The reason that the package is installable is that it does include the Xen hyperviosor and tools. A warning to the users about the package not including a dom0 kernel is a good idea.

Hope that helps.