Redhat kernel upgrade

[mjsunil]

Hi,
I would like to upgrade my redhat linux AS 2.1 kernel from 2.4.9-e.3 to 2.4.9-e.24. I tried to compile the kernel on vmware after downloading the kernel-2.4.9-e.24.src.rpm but fails to boot with the new kernel. I get an error "request_Module[scsi_hostadapter]:Rootfs not mounted. I have enabled all the scsi support in make xconfig step.Pls help.
thks
Sunil

[jason morgan_3]

You may need to download the Kernel Headers that go with the Kernel source files you have already downloaded. It will be a seperate package that needs to be downloaded.

-Jason

[Don_89]

It will be easier just to download the e.24.rpm and install it. Its already compiled for you.. I just upgraded 4 servers this weekend to version 2.4.9.e-37 using the rpm's and didn't have any issues..

[Matti_Kurkela]

"request_Module[scsi_hostadapter]" means that the kernel is trying to load a driver for the SCSI controller, but failing because it doesn't have a root filesystem to load it from.

From the message, I assume you are using a SCSI disk system, not IDE.

Unless you use initrd, you must compile the driver for the root disk's SCSI controller in the kernel, not as a module (select Y, not M). If you have done this, the kernel is not recognizing your SCSI controller - perhaps you have a wrong driver?

If you use initrd, you must create a new initrd file that matches your current kernel. I think RedHat has the command "mkinitrd" for this.

[Olivier Drouin]

First, did the compile work ?

Do you use lilo ?
If so you have to edit /etc/lilo.conf and change 2 keys that are specifying your kernel/modules version. then you execute `lilo`. You should see a "added linux" message.

tell us more...

[Olivier Drouin]

Cool! I've got a new hat !!

[mjsunil]

I am using grub and i have already downloaded kernel headers. when I select the new kernel from grub selection screen Iam unable to boot. It stops half way. The only error on screen I can see is request_Module[scsi_hostadapter]:Rootfs not mounted
Sorry for the delay in reply.
Thanks for the quick response.

Sunil

[Matti_Kurkela]

Did you select "Initial RAM disk (initrd) support" in "Block devices" category of make xconfig?

If you did, did you do this:
https://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-7.2-Manual/custom-guide/buildkernel-initrd.html

If you successfully built an initrd image, your GRUB configuration entry should have an "initrd " line after the "kernel" line for your new kernel.

If you did not select "Initial RAM disk support" in kernel configuration, your error message indicates that you have selected to build the driver for your SCSI interface as a module (choice M in "make xconfig") instead of building it into the kernel (choice Y).

If you don't use initrd, the kernel must have compiled-in all the things it needs to access the root file system. When the root file system is accessible, anything else can be loaded as a module. So you _must_ select Y at least for the following things in the "SCSI support" menu of the "make xconfig":
- SCSI support
- SCSI disk support
- the appropriate driver for your SCSI controller in "SCSI low-level drivers" submenu
- the correct file system support for your root file system.

I cannot give more specific advise than this without knowing more about your setup. Please boot with your old kernel (I hope you didn't overwrite it with your new one) and post the output of commands "/sbin/lspci" and "mount" if you need more specific instructions.

If you overwrote your kernel, you'll need to boot from the installation CD to rescue mode and reinstall RedHat's kernel package.

[Alexander Chuzhoy]

before you do the make xconfig I suggest you to copy /boot/config-oldkernelversion file to /usr/src/linux as .config
this way you won't forget all kinds of necessary modules when configuring the newe kernel.Seems like some of them are missing.