Using Intel(R) Network Adapters with Linux* --
Information for Specific Linux* Distributions
==============================================
July 19, 2005
Contents
========
- SuSE* LINUX Enterprise Server 8 IA64 cause unresolved symbols
- SuSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 warning message during driver build
- Red Hat* Linux 7.1 - Creating an RPM from tar / zipped File
- ACPI enable may cause Dual Port Pro/1000 adapters to fail
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
- Loading and unloading modules with the Linux 2.6 Kernel
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 with Intel(R) Desktop Board D915GEV
- Support
SuSE LINUX Enterprise Server 8 IA64 causes 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.
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. It is safe to ignore this message. The driver will load
and function normally.
Symbol version dump /usr/src/<kernel-version>-obj/<arch>/
<kernel flavor>/ Module.symvers is missing, modules will have
CONFIG_MODVERSIONS disabled.
While loading the driver, ignore the warnings in the syslog:
linux kernel: <driver name>: no version for "struct_module" found:
kernel tainted.
linux kernel: <driver name>: unsupported module, tainting kernel.
Red Hat Linux 7.1 - Creating an RPM from tar / zipped File
==========================================================
When trying to generate an RPM from the .tar.gz file, a segmentation
fault (core dump) occurs. This failure occurs because Red Hat Linux
7.1 uses version 4.0.2 of the RPM utility. This version does not have
the ability to handle parameterized macros, which are used within the
e100 and e1000 spec files to generate an RPM. Updating the RPM utility
to a more current version resolves the issue. The utility can be
obtained from http://www.rpm.org.
ACPI enable may cause Dual Port PRO/1000 Adapters to fail
=========================================================
If ACPI is turned on in the kernel, dual port adapters may not work.
This is due to a limitation in ACPI. Currently, this affects all new
versions of SuSE.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
===============================
2.1 Distribution
----------------
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, ignore the warning:
/lib/modules/2.4.9-e.34/build/include/linux/rhconfig.h:31:60:
operator '(' has no left operand
NOTE: For Red Hat's procedure for building a Linux kernel we recommend
visiting their web site at www.redhat.com.
NOTE: This problem is resolved in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 Update 4.
2.5.50 Distribution
-------------------
In Redhat Enterprise Linux 4 (RHEL4), unplugging network cable while
ethtool -p is running will cause sytem 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.
Loading and unloading modules with the Linux 2.6 Kernel
=======================================================
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.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 with Intel(R) Desktop Board D915GEV
==============================================================
If you install a PCI Express (PCIe) adapter in a system based on an
Intel(R) Desktop Board D915GEV with a Linux distribution using a v2.4
kernel (such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux 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 SUSE
Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 9. Booting with the 'noapic' kernel
parameter should also workaround this problem for systems using a 2.4
kernel.
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.
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.