Inserting network driver into initrd.img

[Puc, Bernard]

> Basically you're doing all the right things...  I've done that myself
> a couple times.  There is probably a small mistake somewhere like a
> typo or something.
> 
> Some hints.
> 
> I would install the system first from CDROM.  At that point you can
> just rpm -ivh the -BOOT kernel.  Once you have the -BOOT kernel
> installed you can test that your kernel module loads and the NIC is
> detected.
> 
> Next use the initrd from the cdrom to boot instead of running
> mkinitrd.  This allows you to make quick changes to the initrd and
> reboot without burning a CD every time.
> 
> You probably will want to set up a PXE server eventually...
> 
> What update of RHEL is it and the what driver?  If your vendor
> provides a driver disk that's easier and cleaner than hacking the
> initrd to bits.
> 
> Also if you have the system installed already and it's rhel3u3 or
> higher you may as well patch anaconda to load driver disks
> automatically.
> 
> 
https://www.redhat.com/archives/anaconda-devel-list/2005-November/msg00018.htm>
l
> 
> regards,
> dan carpenter
> 
> 
Thanks for the tip about loading the -BOOT kernel.  That made debugging the
driver easier.  I had compatibility issues which I've been able to resolve
by compiling the module correctly for the 2.4.21-4ELBOOT kernel.  So, I have
a network driver (bcm5700) that works when I use kernel 2.4.21-4ELBOOT.  But
now, dhclient complains about CONFIG_FILTER or CONFIG_PACKET not being set
in the kernel.  So dhcp doesn't work.  This might be a separate issue
however.

So, I still have the same symptoms as before with my installation disk: it
cannot find a suitable driver for the network device.

Let me back up a bit and see if there's another way to get where I need to
go:  What I want to do is setup an installation procedure for our
manufacturing people to install RH via a kickstart file and some network
server.  In the past, we were able to use the installation CDROM to boot
from, and then we'd access a kickstart file via nfs; installation discs were
also available via nfs.  Now, with the new server we are using, the old
installation disc does not have the correct network driver.  Thus, my
efforts at adding the driver to the installation disc.

Is this the only way to do what I want?

Thanks again.


LEGAL NOTICE:
Unless expressly stated otherwise, this message is confidential and may be privileged. It is intended for the addressee(s) only. Access to this e-mail by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not an addressee, any disclosure or copying of the contents or any action taken (or not taken) in reliance on it is unauthorized and may be unlawful. If you are not an addressee, please inform the sender immediately.