[SOLVED] Need to create a new initrd that contains new driver

dann_radkov · 10-07-2011, 02:36 AM

Hey folks,
My question is how do we modify an initrd gzipped compressed file not the initrd.img(which in my case handles the tftpboot)so that it contains drivers for the network.

I downloaded an .iso file that supposably has the drivers.Inside i see:
1.be2net.ko
2.hp_be2net_2.104.277.1_2.src.rpm
(which contains A)tar.gz file B)spec file)
3.README_INSTALL
4.rpmmacros

My question
1.I take it I should implement/append the kernel modules within the initrd file.?
2.Do I need to configure something else apart from that?

theNbomr · 10-09-2011, 06:58 PM

Take your existing initrd (assuming you have one), un-compress it, and un-cpio-archive it. Add the new ingredients, and re-cpio-archive and compress it. You will have to have cpio, and gzip. gzip needs the file to have to extension '.zip', so you have to rename it before un-compressing it. Drivers probably need to go in the /lib/modules/2.6.yourkernelversion/... tree.

Not sure what distinction you are trying to make when you say 'an initrd gzipped compressed file not the initrd.img'.

--- rod.

dann_radkov · 10-10-2011, 03:27 AM

Spot on. I got it working. Just wanted to check whether additional things need to be configured. After the initrd has been replaced after my reboot the SLES11 that I am about to install will have network support. No additional changes are necessary?Just swapping the newly modified initrd.

theNbomr · 10-10-2011, 11:26 AM

The process I outlined will recreate a well-formed initrd image, which you can specify in your bootloader as the initrd (not as an initramfs kernel built-in). I cannot vouch for the correctness of any changes you might have made. If you're adding driver modules, it might be necessary to modify some scripting &/o config files in order for the drivers to get properly loaded.

--- rod.