Repo-ck - ArchWiki

# Repo-ck

Related articles

- Linux-ck
- Linux-ck/Changelog

Repo-ck is an unofficial Arch Linux repository with generic and CPU-optimized kernels and support packages, featuring the ck1 patchset and Brain Fuck Scheduler by Con Kolivas.

## Installation

Add the repo-ck repository to `pacman.conf` and sign Graysky's key.

## Kernels and related packages

Note: lts-ck packages are not included.

The official kernel is available in two flavors (either i686 or x86_64) which are generic packages, in that i686 will work with any compatible x86 CPU and x86_64 will work with any compatible x86_64 CPU. Users have a choice between the corresponding generic linux-ck package, or packages optimized for a specific CPU.

CPU-specific optimizations are invoked by selecting Processor type and features>Processor family in `make menuconfig`, or by adjusting `.config` accordingly. These changes setup make specific GCC options, including `$CFLAGS`.

Packages marked with '*' are available only for the 64-bit systems, see the forum post.

CPU Type | Group Alias | Details
--- | --- | ---
Generic | ck-generic | Generic kernel similar to the official Arch Linux kernel.
Intel | ck-atom | Intel Atom specific optimizations. Intel Atom CPUs have an in-order pipelining architecture, and benefit from code optimized accordingly.
ck-core2 | Intel Core 2-family including Dual and Quads (Core 2/Newer Xeon/Mobile Celeron based on Core2).
ck-nehalem * | Intel 1st Generation Core i3/i5/i7-family
ck-sandybridge * | Intel 2nd Generation Core i3/i5/i7-family
ck-ivybridge * | Intel 3rd Generation Core i3/i5/i7-family
ck-haswell * | Intel 4th Generation Core i3/i5/i7-family
ck-p4 | Intel Pentium-4 (P4/P4-based Celeron/Pentium-4 M/Older Xeon).
ck-pentm | Intel Pentium-M (Pentium-M notebook chips/not Pentium-4 M).
AMD | ck-kx | AMD K7/K8-family
ck-k10 * | AMD K10-family including 61xx Eight-Core Magny-Cours, Athlon X2 7x50, Phenom X3/X4/II, Athlon II X2/X3/X4, or Turion II-family processor.
ck-bobcat * | CPUs based on AMD Family 14h cores with x86-64 instruction set support.
ck-bulldozer * | CPUs based on AMD Family 15h cores with x86-64 instruction set support.
ck-piledriver * | CPUs based on AMD Family 15h cores with x86-64 instruction set support.

## Selecting the correct CPU optimized package

When unsure install the ck-generic group which works with any compatible CPU. Those wanting CPU-specific optimized packages can run the following command (assuming that base-devel is installed):

    $ gcc -c -Q -march=native --help=target | grep march

The resulting value is what GCC would use as the march CFLAG. Refer to the table below for a mapping of this value to the correct group.

Warning: Intel CPU optimized packages support only full Core2 series and i3/i5/i7 series chips. Many Pentium/Celeron chips lack the full requisite instruction sets to make use of the optimized packages. Users of these chips should install the generic packages, even if GCC returns a value corresponding to full core i3/i5/i7 match such as haswell.
Note: This table has been updated to show the new simplified march options that ship with GCC v4.9+. For more information see the release notes.

Brand | Group | March
--- | --- | ---
Intel | ck-atom | bonnell
ck-core2 | core2
ck-nehalem | nehalem
ck-sandybridge | sandybridge
ck-ivybridge | ivybridge
ck-haswell | haswell
ck-p4 | pentium4, nocona
ck-pentm | pentm, pentium-m
AMD | ck-kx | athlon, athlon-4, athlon-tbird, athlon-mp, athlon-xp, k8-sse3
ck-k10 | amdfam10
ck-bobcat | btver1
ck-bulldozer | bdver1
ck-piledriver | bdver2

Note: Add additional entries to this table based on experience.

For further help, see:

- http://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Safe_CFLAGS#Intel
- http://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Safe_CFLAGS#AMD
- http://www.linuxforge.net/docs/linux/linux-gcc.php
- http://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc/i386-and-x86_002d64-Options.html

### Speed benefits of CPU optimized packages

Extensive testing comparing the effect of GCC compile options show varying results, from no change to rather significant speed ups. [1] [2]

Note: Add results to this section where appropriate.

## Installation examples

Note: As with any additional kernel, manually edit the boot loader configuration to make it aware of new kernel images. For example, see GRUB#Generating main configuration file for GRUB.

Use the ck-X group and select the desired packages for installation. There are 8 groups corresponding to the package sets. For example:

    # pacman -S ck-generic

    :: There are 8 members in group ck-generic:
    :: Repository repo-ck
       1) broadcom-wl-ck  2) linux-ck  3) linux-ck-headers  4) nvidia-304xx-ck  5) nvidia-340xx-ck  6) nvidia-ck
       7) virtualbox-ck-guest-modules  8) virtualbox-ck-host-modules

    Enter a selection (default=all):

Alternatively, direct pacman to install linux-ck and linux-ck-headers.

## BFQ I/O scheduler

See Linux-ck#How to enable the BFQ I/O Scheduler.

## Repository statistics

Note: The statistics are not updated daily but do give a snapshot of the data.

Repo statistics are available (package and CPU popularity, number of downloads, and so forth).

## Troubleshooting

### Support

Please use the BBS thread.

### Downloads interrupt regularly

Graysky is using godaddy as his web host. Some of the transfers from their poorly implemented server end in an incomplete transfer. To combat this, list the repository address multiple times and pacman will automatically try the next available server. As repo-ck has only one address (no mirrors), use the same server line:

    [repo-ck]
    Server = http://repo-ck.com/$arch
    Server = http://repo-ck.com/$arch
    Server = http://repo-ck.com/$arch
    Server = http://repo-ck.com/$arch
    Server = http://repo-ck.com/$arch

Alternatively, change the pacman downloader to wget, which automatically resumes downloads.

See this forum post for an explanation of these issues.

Category:

- Kernel