build a new kernel with a new network driver

[f. halili]

i have a network driver e100.o and would like to build a new kernel with this driver included . i don't want it to be installed as a module but want it as part of my kernel. i'm using "make menuconfig" to make the changes in the kernel. any suggestions...

thanks
- fnhalili

[Vincenzo Restuccia]

Try http://www.europe.redhat.com/documentation/HOWTO/Net-HOWTO/index.php3

[Herve BRANGIER]

Hi,

I think you need to use the insmod command.

But what is your card, if it's an EtherPro100
or compatible you can use eepro100 module
included in the kernel's sources.

I think that make menuconfig is only use to
compile a new kernel and not to add a module
without sources.

Herve

[Nick Snellock]

After you have finished the configuration using make menuconfig, you need to compile the kernel and modules and install them. To do this use makedep; make clean; make zImage ; make modules ; make modules_install
when this finishes, you need to use lilo or what ever boot loader you use to allow the new kernel to boot.

[Kodjo Agbenu]

Hello Frederick,

e100.o is a new driver for the ether express pro 100 network adapters. The former driver was named eepro100.o

If you speak about ".o" file, it means that the file is already linked. Therefore, to insert it in a kernel without using modules may be difficult.

Normally, if you had the source code of that driver, you should have put it in the kernel source tree (as a patch file) before launching make menuconfig.

Without the source code, the only way to add a driver to the kernel is using modules. Moreover, this module must be compatible with the running kernel.

To summarize : if you have the source code, please post exactly what you have and the URL where you got this source, and we can give you additional help.

Otherwise, it seems difficult.

Good luck.

Kodjo

[Terry Rodery]

Hi,

In "menuconfig" in linux go to the network devices section where the network devices are ( I can't remember right off the top of my head where this is at), find the entry for your network card and pressing spacebar it should allow you to either a) make the driver as a module or b) include the driver into the kernel itself. There is a way to distinguish between the two and there is usually a key on the screen that can help you decypher this.

late,
Terry