Cannot compile driver for Promise Fasttrak TX4200

KhurramF · 09-16-2009, 05:57 PM

I have a Ubuntu 9.04 system and have added a Promise Technologies Fasttrak TX4200 (soft)raid controller to it. Promise Technologies does not provide a driver for Ubuntu (only for RH and Suse), but it does provide a source for compiling it. The readme for the archive is as follows

Quote:

1.) Please make sure you have linux kernel source code at ("/usr/src/linux"),
and gcc version is 3.x by issuing Linux command :
# gcc -v

2.) Set Kernel Compiling Environment on Linux System
# cd /usr/src/linux/, if no linux exist, make a symbolic link to proper linux source directory.
# make mrproper
# Please note and make sure the release version string in "/usr/src/linux/Makefile" is match with the kenel version string you want to build with, else the build or the insert will be NOT properly.
# "make config" or "make menuconfig" or "make xconfig"
To set kernel config items as you wish as below,
Processor type and features/Processor family
Processor type and features/High Memory Support
Processor type and features/Symmetric multi-processing support
# make dep clean

3.) Goto directory where PROMISE driver codes is located and edit Makefile.

4.) Choose right parameters in Makefile, default parameter is GENERIC.
#$(CC) $(GENERIC) -c $*.c
$(CC) $(SuSE) -c $*.c
#$(CC) $(TURBO) -c $*.c
#$(CC) $(MDK) -c $*.c
ex: GENERIC for most common case
SuSE for SuSE linux common case
TURBO for Turbo linux common case
MDK for Mandrake linux common case

Or modify it for suitable your system, each item only one can be used.

5.) Issue Linux command to make FastTrak(UP/SMP) driver: ftsata2.o

#make or #make all

If Dual Processor system

#make smp

I followed the instructions 1 to 2. Then I tried to run "make" but it gave the following error:

Quote:

Makefile:57: *** Linux kernel source not configured - missing config.h. Stop.

I have checked the /usr/src/linux folder for config.h files and have found the following:

./include/config/x86/find/smp/config.h
./include/config/i2o/config.h
./net/tipc/config.h
./fs/dlm/config.h

I think the first line should be the config.h file it is looking for. I have tried to run both "make" and "make smp", but the error message is the same.

Can someone please tell me how to fix this?

Thanks,
Khurram.

Electro · 09-17-2009, 05:31 PM

Re-compile the kernel and include the module for your Promise controller.

From what I read, they are not reliable, so you may want to pick a different brand.

KhurramF · 09-18-2009, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electro

Re-compile the kernel and include the module for your Promise controller.

You mean I cant have a loadable module for the Promise controller?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electro

From what I read, they are not reliable, so you may want to pick a different brand.

Do you mean the module for the Fasttrak 4200 is not reliable, or is it the hardware?

Thanks.

Electro · 09-19-2009, 12:44 AM

I guess I was not clear. The kernel has support, but your distribution did not include it for whatever reason. It could be your distribution did not include it because stability problems, not enough room, or a conflict with the SATA core of the kernel.

You can re-compile the kernel with support for your card by enabling the option as a module or built-in. You should not have to waste your time compiling the code from Promise because it is already in the kernel.

If you insist of using the source code from Promise, the code probably is compatible with kernel version 2.6.9, but not any higher unless you want to patch it to make it compatible with today's kernel versions.

KhurramF · 09-19-2009, 07:16 PM

I have decided to forgo the drivers from Promise Technologies and use mdadm with the raid controller. Thanks for your help.

Electro · 09-19-2009, 11:21 PM

Suite your self. The driver or module is already in the kernel. Like I said, you just need to re-compile the kernel with support for your Promise controller because the kernel already includes it. Using driver from Promise is a waste of time because it only supports up to kernel version 2.6.9. Now it is kernel version 2.6.31.

FYI, that is not a RAID controller. It is just a storage controller.