1. networking_driver_lan_ga-7beshrh.exe Driver
2. ldistrib.txt File Contents

ldistrib.txt Driver File Contents (networking_driver_lan_ga-7beshrh.exe)

Linux* Distribution Issues
==========================

January 31, 2005

This document covers known issues between Intel networking drivers 
and various supported Linux distributions.  


Contents
========

- Overview
- Linux Kernel Issues
- SUSE* Linux Issues
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Issues
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS Issues
- Support


Overview
========

This file describes Linux distribution-specific issues.  For 
general information and support, see the Support page.  

If an issue is identified with the released source code on the 
supported kernel with a supported adapter, email the specific 
information related to the issue to linux.nics@intel.com.  


Linux Kernel Issues
===================

Linux 2.6 Kernel: Loading and unloading modules
-----------------------------------------------
A new kernel API has been implemented within the Linux 2.6 kernel 
regarding the module reference count.  This results in the e100, 
e1000 and ixgb drivers  being used with a module reference count 
of zero.  Consequently, our driver module can be removed from the 
system while still being used by other modules.  Until the other 
modules within the Linux stack use the new API, unintended 
consequences may occur with module removal.  This may result in 
system hangs and/or panics.


Linux 2.4 Kernel: Intel(R) Desktop Board D915GEV and PCIe Adapters
------------------------------------------------------------------
If you install a PCI Express (PCIe) adapter in a system based on an 
Intel(R) Desktop Board D915GEV with a Linux distribution using kernel 
version 2.4 (such as RHEL 3), the system may panic or hang.  This 
behavior has been observed with various brands of PCIe adapters 
besides those from Intel.  This does not occur on a Linux distribution 
using a v2.6 kernel, such as Red Hat EL 4 AS or SLES 9.  Booting with 
the NOAPIC kernel parameter will also workaround this problem for 
systems using a 2.4 kernel.  


SUSE Linux 9.3 and 10
=====================

Unable to pass traffic with UP or SMP kernel with "noapic"
----------------------------------------------------------
In the default (UP) kernel config, APIC is being turned off while MSI 
is being turned on.  MSI requires that LOCAL_APIC be turned on to work 
successfully.  

This is a kernel config problem in these versions:
- SUSE Linux 9.3 (kernel 2.6.11.4-20a-default) 
- SUSE Linux 10 (kernel 2.6.13-15-default)

To get PCIe adapters to function properly with these UP kernels, use 
the "apic" kernel option.


SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) Issues
==========================================

SLES (All Versions): ACPI enable may cause Intel(R) Dual Port 
PRO/1000 Adapters to fail
-------------------------------------------------------------
If ACPI is turned on in the kernel, Intel Dual Port PRO/1000 Adapters 
may not work.  This is due to a limitation in ACPI.  Currently, this 
affects all new versions of SUSE.


SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9: Warning message during driver build
-------------------------------------------------------------------
While building the driver on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 
installations, the following warning or something similar may be 
displayed.  

  Symbol version dump /usr/src/<kernel-version>-obj/<arch>/
  <kernel flavor>/ Module.symvers is missing, modules will have 
  CONFIG_MODVERSIONS disabled.  

It is safe to ignore this message.  The driver will load and function 
normally.  

While loading the driver, the following warnings in the syslog may be 
ignored:

  linux kernel: <driver name>: no version for "struct_module" found: 
  kernel tainted.
   
  linux kernel: <driver name>: unsupported module, tainting kernel.

  linux kernel: <driver name>: module not supported by Novell, setting 
  U taint flag.


SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for Intel(R) Itanium: Unresolved Symbols
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you get unresolved symbol errors when loading the e1000 driver, 
perform the following:

  1.  cd /usr/src/linux
  2.  make cloneconfig
  3.  make dep

Then rebuild the driver.


Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS Issues
==================================

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 4
-----------------------------
In Version 2.5.50, unplugging network cable while ethtool -p is running 
will cause system to become unresponsive to keyboard commands, except for 
control-alt-delete.  Restarting the system appears to be the only remedy.  
This occurs in distributions later than v2.5.50.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 3
-----------------------------
While building the driver on Intel(R) Itanium systems, the following warnings 
may be ignored:

  warning: unused variable `ptr'

  Use of 'mov' may violate WAW dependency


Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 2.1
-------------------------------
In Update 3, if there are errors while compiling the driver, do the 
following:

  1.  Change to the kernel source directory.
  2.  Perform all the required steps to build the kernel up to and 
      including make dep.
  3.  Modify EXTRAVERSION in the Makefile in Red Hat kernel source 
      directory to match the version of the running kernel.
  4.  Build the driver, using instructions located in the README file.

While building the driver, the following warning may be ignored:

   /lib/modules/2.4.9-e.34/build/include/linux/rhconfig.h:31:60:
   operator '(' has no left operand

NOTE: Go to www.redhat.com for Red Hat's procedure for building a 
      Linux kernel.

NOTE: This problem is resolved in Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 2.1 
      Update 4.


Support
=======

For general information and support, go to the Intel support website at:

  http://support.intel.com

If an issue is identified with the released source code on the supported 
kernel with a supported adapter, email the specific information related 
to the issue to linux.nics@intel.com.


Copyright and Legal Disclaimers
===============================

Copyright(c) 2005 Intel Corporation.  All rights reserved.  

Intel Corporation, 5200 N.E.  Elam Young Parkway, Hillsboro, OR 97124-6497 

Intel Corporation assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this 
document.  Nor does Intel make any commitment to update the information 
contained herein.  

Intel, Itanium, and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of 
Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other 
countries.  

*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.