My setup with Ubuntu and a custom permissive Kernel

[Graeme H]

Hey everyone. I bought this device specifically because I do a lot of work on linux in command line world and I though it would be the perfect device when combined with the Logitech Pro keyboard and Complete Linux Installer (it's an app on Google Play). It turned out to be quite a bit of work getting everything working because of Knox and SELinux. Eventually I got a custom kernel working that allows me to toggle SELinux between permissive and enforcing.

I attached an Odin flashable tar that works on the SM-P900 (wifi version). I am on the North American version, so I have no idea whether it will work in other regions. If you flash this kernel then there are a few things you need to know:

• I'm assuming you already have root on your device.
• When you boot it will still be in "Enforcing" mode. This change simply allows you to use the "setenforce" terminal command or any of the apps on Google Play that do this for you.
• You might experience some wifi weirdness after you flash the kernel. You just need to open up /system/build.prop and change ro.securestorage.support from true to false and then reboot to resolve the issue.

If you have a different version of the device or want to compile it yourself for any reason I wrote an article describing how I compiled it here:
http://graemehill.ca/compiling-permissive-android-kernel/

I also did a few other things to fix the keyboard and get linux running properly, so if you're interested in that I described my setup in more detail here:
http://graemehill.ca/turning-a-galaxy-note-pro-into-a-linux-laptop/

 

[Serinety]

Thank you for this!

Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

 

[dodo99x]

trying to build kernel

I'm trying to follow your guide to compile a kernel from source. I have installed (on my Win 8.1_64 PC) Android SDK/NDK. GnuWin32, JavaJRE, and downloaded SM-P900 kernel source.

I'm getting errors at "Apply Kernel Config" step.

here's the output: http://pastebin.com/yFqDrNY8

Thanks for your help
Don :good:

 

[Graeme H]

I'm trying to follow your guide to compile a kernel from source. I have installed (on my Win 8.1_64 PC) Android SDK/NDK. GnuWin32, JavaJRE, and downloaded SM-P900 kernel source.

I'm getting errors at "Apply Kernel Config" step.

here's the output: http://pastebin.com/yFqDrNY8

Thanks for your help
Don :good:

It looks like you're in Windows. To my knowledge it is not possible to compile a Linux kernel in windows. I would recommend downloading virtual box and installing some Linux distro in there. This is what I was talking about in the "environment" section at the top of the article.

For android development I find that you need access to a lot of tools where some are only available on Windows and others are only available on Linux so a Windows PC with a Linux VM is ideal in my opinion.

 

[dodo99x]

Oh ok, no problem. I just misread the guide. I've setup a build environment in a vm before to compile aosp for my Nexus 10. Shouldn't be too hard to do it again. I recently rebuilt my pc so the vm I had got nuked.

Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

 

[dodo99x]

ok I got my Ubuntu VM up and running using this guide

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50748836&postcount=25

installed android NDK to ~android/NDK, and unzipped the kernel source to ~android/kernel

followed your guide to build a SELinux permissive kernel but i'm getting some errors when trying to compile. here's the output:

http://pastebin.com/Npdu7J5h

EDIT: retried doing the EXPORT command and now it seems to be compiling

 

[Graeme H]

EDIT: retried doing the EXPORT command and now it seems to be compiling

When you export a variable in the terminal it only exists for that one session, so if you open a new terminal instance you need to run the command again. If you want to set it permanently normally you can just put the export command into ~/.bashrc

 

[dodo99x]

Oh I see. I'll give that a try. I was able to create a new boot.img following the rest of your guide. I have yet to try flashing it though. Will have to find some info about all the kernel options that can be set. Hopefully be able to integrate HMP to get all eight cores running at the same time.

Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

 

[Graeme H]

Cool, let us know how that goes. I wonder how much it would affect battery life.

 

[canezila]

Hey everyone. I bought this device specifically because I do a lot of work on linux in command line world and I though it would be the perfect device when combined with the Logitech Pro keyboard and Complete Linux Installer (it's an app on Google Play). It turned out to be quite a bit of work getting everything working because of Knox and SELinux. Eventually I got a custom kernel working that allows me to toggle SELinux between permissive and enforcing.

I attached an Odin flashable tar that works on the SM-P900 (wifi version). I am on the North American version, so I have no idea whether it will work in other regions. If you flash this kernel then there are a few things you need to know:

• I'm assuming you already have root on your device.
• When you boot it will still be in "Enforcing" mode. This change simply allows you to use the "setenforce" terminal command or any of the apps on Google Play that do this for you.
• You might experience some wifi weirdness after you flash the kernel. You just need to open up /system/build.prop and change ro.securestorage.support from true to false and then reboot to resolve the issue.

If you have a different version of the device or want to compile it yourself for any reason I wrote an article describing how I compiled it here:
http://graemehill.ca/compiling-permissive-android-kernel/

I also did a few other things to fix the keyboard and get linux running properly, so if you're interested in that I described my setup in more detail here:
http://graemehill.ca/turning-a-galaxy-note-pro-into-a-linux-laptop/

I tried to install this using VBox Odin and I couldnt get it to work. Tried using BOOTLOADER and also PDA. Not sure the correct one but neither worked for me. Also, Moblie ODin hasnt yet worked but when it does, things will be much easier for me at least.

I have a newly rooted SM-900. I will have to find time someday to compile the kernel against what I have. Must be a slightly newer version than the one you posted. That is only thing I can think since I just got my 12.2. Thanks for the detailed info.

 

[aarstar]

Camera?

Hey, thanks for the great kernel. It's working as expected to enable permissive mode, but I'm having one issue with it. When I use your kernel, the camera is disabled (says something like "Camera Failed"), and it won't work even when trying different software besides stock, like Google Camera. Anyway, clearing cache, etc. doesn't do anything, but the camera works again when I flash the stock kernel. Is this related to permissive mode or something else with the settings?

 

[lickarock]

Hey, thanks for the great kernel. It's working as expected to enable permissive mode, but I'm having one issue with it. When I use your kernel, the camera is disabled (says something like "Camera Failed"), and it won't work even when trying different software besides stock, like Google Camera. Anyway, clearing cache, etc. doesn't do anything, but the camera works again when I flash the stock kernel. Is this related to permissive mode or something else with the settings?

The camera fails for me too. I dumped a logcat and isolated the issue here:

W/ActivityManager( 2746): Permission Denial: get/set setting for user asks to run as user -2 but is calling from user 0; this requires android.permission.INTERACT_ACROSS_USERS_FULL

V/ApplicationPolicy( 2746): isApplicationStateBlocked userId 0 pkgname com.google.android.GoogleCamera

But... the camera is not a huge deal. It did, however, break wifi. I did not get a logcat of that yet, but I would assume it is also a permission issue.

 

[aarstar]

Wifi works for me using the fix mentioned in the OP. Also, thanks for looking into the camera issue. I agree it's not a big deal, and it's easily fixed by flashing the stock kernel, until someone figures out a proper fix.

 

[lickarock]

Wifi works for me using the fix mentioned in the OP. Also, thanks for looking into the camera issue. I agree it's not a big deal, and it's easily fixed by flashing the stock kernel, until someone figures out a proper fix.

Wow, I totally missed that entire line in the OP... You literally just made my whole day. I fought this all day long, desperate to get ubuntu working. Thank you for pointing that out.

 

[Stevethegreat]

I get "xt_mark.h" is missing (no such file or directory) error. Any idea why that may be?

I'm using the source for p900 international hoping that I may sidestep the camera issue that way (by enabling permissive to the international kernel I mean), but as it stands it does not compile.

I've googled it but until now it was/is to no avail...

 

[ESmazter.]

Hey everyone. I bought this device specifically because I do a lot of work on linux in command line world and I though it would be the perfect device when combined with the Logitech Pro keyboard and Complete Linux Installer (it's an app on Google Play).

Hey Graeme H,

we both have the same intention. I am downloading the international Kernel at the moment and will compile it again for you guys. The download takes a little longer as I am at vacations.

I am going this route: doviak.net/debian-kit/debian-kit_p00.html . In the future I would like to have arch linux running on this device but a customized debian would be okay for the beginning, too.

Eventually I will try to use framebuffer instead of vnc or something like that. I would love to use sublime-text and dwm on that device with that resolution

Good luck guys. I will try to update.

Edit: hehe I have dwm in front of me now and the resolution is so high that I am barely able to read


Compiled the kernel and flashed in on my device but my camera is still not working. Maybe we need to edit the config:

# Camera sensor devices
#
# CONFIG_VIDEO_OV7670 is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_VS6624 is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_MT9M032 is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_MT9P031 is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_MT9T001 is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_MT9V011 is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_MT9V032 is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_TCM825X is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_SR030PC30 is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_NOON010PC30 is not set
CONFIG_VIDEO_S5K6B2=y
# CONFIG_S5K6B2_CSI_C is not set
CONFIG_S5K6B2_CSI_D=y
CONFIG_S5K6B2_POSITION_FRONT=y
# CONFIG_S5K6B2_POSITION_REAR is not set
CONFIG_VISION_MODE=y
# CONFIG_VIDEO_M5MOLS is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_S5K6AA is not set

 

[smylion]

Rather than each people compiles its kernel, could someone put a link to download the international kernel compiled? I think this would allow more people to get this kernel. Thank

 

[ESmazter.]

Rather than each people compiles its kernel, could someone put a link to download the international kernel compiled? I think this would allow more people to get this kernel. Thank

Compiled from Kitkat source. [ur#l]erhan.es/upload/sm-p900-permissive-intl.tar[/url] (odin)

 

[smylion]

Thank you but the link does not work

 

[ESmazter.]

Thank you but the link does not work

Sorry, it is erhan.es/upload/sm-p900-intl-permissive.tar