Topic: How do I compile a device driver?

[Brad D.]

Hello, Everyone!

I am trying to install the “Raid-Rocket 133 PCI RAID Card” based on the HPT372A Highpoint Chipset. (Continued from
http://forums.contribs.org/index.php?topic=8704.msg32640#msg32640 )

I have downloaded the source code drivers and printed all of the driver manuals for their website at: http://www.highpoint-tech.com/usaindex.htm

After searching the forums here about hardware raid, I concluded that I need to compile a new kernel for the SME 6.0beta3 for two reasons:  1) Remove existing ‘HPT366 IDE’ support and 2) load the new ‘HPT372A’ raid driver.

The manual for my raid card says to “Build a new kernel from source” I will need these packages installed: kernel-headers, kernel-source, make, binutils, glibc-devel, ncurses, ncurses-devel, cpp, and gcc.  

How do I tell if these packages are installed? I found these packages on my Red Hat 8.0 cd and over at http://contribs.org , does anyone know if they will work with SME 6.0b3?

I have seen it mentioned in these forums that I could compile on my spare red hat 9.0 box with different hardware. But then I couldn’t boot the new kernel until I put it on the SME hardware, right?

Thank you!

[Charlie Brady]

> How do I compile a device driver?

You don't, if you can at all avoid it. In this case, you can avoid it. Just use software RAID.

Charlie

[Brad D.]

...er, right. Thanks for the honesty, Charlie.

I guess that is why I did not find too many success stories on this topic.

[Olivier Schmitt]

Good evening,
Dear Charlie,

I actually need to compile a device too, as no compiled version exist : it is the driver of the PCI ADSL card fit with ST's unicorn chip, produced by BeWan. Our purpose is to try the 6.0beta3 as an ADSL gateway for our little network.

Would you please have any clue where to find the 2.4.20-18.7 kernel source header that I need for compiling the unicorn_pci  and unicorn_atm ?

Best regards,

Olivier

[Brad D.]

Olivier Schmitt,


Search for "kernel-source-2.4.20-20.7.i386.rpm" at http://rpmfind.net.
You will find this link there...
. I think this is the file your are looking for.

Please, let me know if you have success compiling.

[Olivier Schmitt]

Good morning Brad,

Unfortunately, I do need the kernel-header-2.4.20-18.7.rpm package, which is not available on rpmfind.net. With verison 2.4.20-20.7 version, the module driver will not
load as there is mismatch in versions....
My question is actually the same as Gordon's, who posted the question 26-10-2003 for a Tekram driver compilation.

I guess I'd need just to download glibc-kernheaders that suit.

Did you succeed in compiling your driver ?

BR

Olivier

[Gordon]

Olivier

I am having the same problem as yur self. The -20 package does not install without other modifications and not sure if the driver produced will then work.
We need to build the driver for the existing tape backup systems on 5.6 to be able to migrate to 6.0. The other choice will be to replace the SCSI adapter but if there is no other reasonably priced 50pin adapter then also upgrade the Tape drive. Now the costs would rise.
Has anyone had success building drivers in 6.0?