[Ask] Disable userspace firmware load

slack32 · 04-15-2012, 08:02 PM

Hello.
I am upgrading from kernel 2.6.39.4 to 3.2.15 using similar config setup.
I notice that on 3.2.15, the kernel trying to load r8169 firmware, which is r8168e.fw (IIRC). This doesn't happen when i was using 2.6.39.4.
The network card works fine without any firmware.

I just echo 1 > /sys/class/firmware/timeout so the booting process won't be delay because the kernel failed to search the firmware.

Is there a way to disable firmware loading ?

Thanks

towheedm · 04-15-2012, 10:49 PM

Kernel config item: CONFIG_PREVENT_FIRMWARE_BUILD:

In menuconfig, xconfig etc: Device Drivers > Generic Driver Option > Prevent Firmware from being built
Device Drivers > Generic Driver Option > Userspace firmware loading support

might be what you need.

slack32 · 04-16-2012, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by towheedm

Kernel config item: CONFIG_PREVENT_FIRMWARE_BUILD:

In menuconfig, xconfig etc: Device Drivers > Generic Driver Option > Prevent Firmware from being built
Device Drivers > Generic Driver Option > Userspace firmware loading support

might be what you need.

Well, i cannot disable Userspace firmware loading support. It's enabled by default.

towheedm · 04-16-2012, 07:53 PM

If you are configuring the new kernel using an existing .config, hopefully you did:

Code:

make dep

or

Code:

make silentoldconfig

or with the configuration target of your choice.

Did you try de-selecting the Prevent Firmware from being built option? Device Drivers > Generic Driver Option > Prevent Firmware from being built.

Also, if you look at the help for a configuration item (with xconfig:select the configuration item and look at the lower right frame, or with menuconfig:select the configuration item and press 'h' for help). There you'll see 'Selected by' followed by a list of config items and their values that causes a particular config item to be automatically selected.

For example: Device Drivers > Generic Driver Option > Userspace firmware loading support gives:

Code:

Selected by: MICROCODE [=y] || MICROCODE_INTEL [=y] && MICROCODE [=y] || MICROCODE_AMD [=n] && MICROCODE [=y] || PCMCIA_LOAD_CIS [=n] && PCCARD [=n] && PCMCIA [=n] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] || USB_IRDA [=n] && NET [=y] && IRDA [=n] && USB [=y] || BT_HCIBCM203X [=n] && NET [=y] && BT [=n] && USB [=y] || BT_HCIBFUSB [=n] && NET [=y] && BT [=n] && USB [=y] || BT_HCIBT3C [=n] && NET [=y] && BT [=n] && PCMCIA [=n] || BT_MRVL_SDIO [=n] && NET [=y] && BT [=n] && BT_MRVL [=n] && MMC [=n] || BT_ATH3K [=n] && NET [=y] && BT [=n] && BT_HCIBTUSB [=n] || IWMC3200TOP [=n] && MISC_DEVICES [=y] && MMC [=n] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] || TI_ST [=n] && MISC_DEVICES [=y] && RFKILL [=n] || SCSI_AIC94XX [=n] && SCSI_LOWLEVEL [=n] && SCSI [=y] && PCI [=y] || SCSI_MVSAS [=n] && SCSI_LOWLEVEL [=n] && SCSI [=y] && PCI [=y] || SCSI_IPR [=n] && SCSI_LOWLEVEL [=n] && PCI [=y] && SCSI [=y] && ATA [=y] || SCSI_QLA_FC [=n] && SCSI_LOWLEVEL [=n] && PCI [=y] && SCSI [=y] || R8169 [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && NETDEV_1000 [=n] && PCI [=y] || BNX2 [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && NETDEV_1000 [=n] && PCI [=y] || SPIDER_NET [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && NETDEV_1000 [=n] && PCI [=y] && (PPC_IBM_CELL_BLADE || PPC_CELLEB) || CHELSIO_T3 [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && NETDEV_10000 [=n] && PCI [=y] && INET [=y] || CHELSIO_T4 [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && NETDEV_10000 [=n] && PCI [=y] || MYRI10GE [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && NETDEV_10000 [=n] && PCI [=y] && INET [=y] || NETXEN_NIC [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && NETDEV_10000 [=n] && PCI [=y] || BNX2X [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && NETDEV_10000 [=n] && PCI [=y] || QLCNIC [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && NETDEV_10000 [=n] && PCI [=y] || TMS380TR [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && TR [=n] && (PCI [=y] || ISA [=y] && ISA_DMA_API [=y] || MCA [=n]) || LIBERTAS_THINFIRM [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && MAC80211 [=n] || ATMEL [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && (PCI [=y] || PCMCIA [=n]) || PCMCIA_ATMEL [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && ATMEL [=n] && PCMCIA [=n] || AT76C50X_USB [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && MAC80211 [=n] && USB [=y] || PRISM54 [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && PCI [=y] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] || USB_ZD1201 [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && USB [=y] || B43 [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && SSB_POSSIBLE [=y] && MAC80211 [=n] && HAS_DMA [=y] || B43LEGACY [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && SSB_POSSIBLE [=y] && MAC80211 [=n] && HAS_DMA [=y] || IPW2100 [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && PCI [=y] && CFG80211 [=n] || IPW2200 [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && PCI [=y] && CFG80211 [=n] && CFG80211_WEXT [=n] || IWLAGN [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && PCI [=y] && MAC80211 [=n] || IWLWIFI_LEGACY [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] || IWM [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && MMC [=n] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] && CFG80211 [=n] || LIBERTAS [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && CFG80211 [=n] || HERMES [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && (PPC_PMAC || PCI [=y] || PCMCIA [=n]) && CFG80211 [=n] && CFG80211_WEXT [=n] || ORINOCO_USB [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && USB [=y] && HERMES [=n] || P54_COMMON [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && MAC80211 [=n] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] || RTL8192CE [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && MAC80211 [=n] && PCI [=y] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] || RTL8192CU [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && MAC80211 [=n] && USB [=y] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] || WL1251 [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && MAC80211 [=n] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] && GENERIC_HARDIRQS [=y] || WL12XX [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && WL12XX_MENU [=n] && GENERIC_HARDIRQS [=y] && INET [=y] || ZD1211RW [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && USB [=y] && MAC80211 [=n] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] || AR9170_USB [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && ATH_COMMON [=n] && USB [=y] && MAC80211 [=n] || CARL9170 [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && ATH_COMMON [=n] && USB [=y] && MAC80211 [=n] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] || RT2X00_LIB_FIRMWARE [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WLAN [=n] && RT2X00 [=n] || WIMAX_I2400M [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && WIMAX [=n] || ATM_FORE200E [=n] && ATM_DRIVERS [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && ATM [=n] && (PCI [=y] || SBUS [=n]) || ATM_SOLOS [=n] && ATM_DRIVERS [=n] && NETDEVICES [=y] && ATM [=n] && PCI [=y] || CYCLADES [=n] && SERIAL_NONSTANDARD [=n] && (PCI [=y] || ISA [=y]) || MOXA_INTELLIO [=n] && SERIAL_NONSTANDARD [=n] && (ISA [=y] || EISA [=n] || PCI [=y]) || ISI [=n] && SERIAL_NONSTANDARD [=n] && PCI [=y] || SERIAL_ICOM [=n] && HAS_IOMEM [=y] && PCI [=y] && (PPC_ISERIES || PPC_PSERIES) || SERIAL_QE [=n] && HAS_IOMEM [=y] && QUICC_ENGINE || VIDEO_SAA7164 [=n] && MEDIA_SUPPORT [=y] && VIDEO_CAPTURE_DRIVERS [=y] && VIDEO_V4L2 [=y] && DVB_CORE [=n] && PCI [=y] && I2C [=y] || RADIO_WL1273 [=n] && MEDIA_SUPPORT [=y] && RADIO_ADAPTERS [=n] && I2C [=y] && VIDEO_V4L2 [=y] || DVB_LGS8GXX [=n] && MEDIA_SUPPORT [=y] && DVB_CAPTURE_DRIVERS [=n] && DVB_CORE [=n] && I2C [=y] || DRM_R128 [=n] && HAS_IOMEM [=y] && DRM [=y] && PCI [=y] || DRM_RADEON [=n] && HAS_IOMEM [=y] && DRM [=y] && PCI [=y] || DRM_MGA [=n] && HAS_IOMEM [=y] && DRM [=y] && PCI [=y] || SND_SB16_CSP [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_ISA [=n] && (SND_SB16 [=n] || SND_SBAWE [=n]) && (BROKEN [=n] || !PPC) || SND_SSCAPE [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_ISA [=n] || SND_WAVEFRONT [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_ISA [=n] || SND_MSND_PINNACLE [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_ISA [=n] && X86 [=y] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] || SND_MSND_CLASSIC [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_ISA [=n] && X86 [=y] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] || SND_ASIHPI [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] && X86 [=y] || SND_DARLA20 [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_GINA20 [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_LAYLA20 [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_DARLA24 [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_GINA24 [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_LAYLA24 [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_MONA [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_MIA [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_ECHO3G [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_INDIGO [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_INDIGOIO [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_INDIGODJ [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_INDIGOIOX [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_INDIGODJX [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_EMU10K1 [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_RIPTIDE [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] || SND_HDA_PATCH_LOADER [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_PCI [=y] && SND_HDA_INTEL [=n] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] || SND_USB_6FIRE [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_USB [=y] && USB [=y] && EXPERIMENTAL [=y] || SND_SOC_SH4_SIU [=n] && SOUND [=y] && !M68K && SND [=y] && SND_SOC [=n] && (SUPERH || ARCH_SHMOBILE) && HAVE_CLK [=n] || USB_ISIGHTFW [=n] && USB_SUPPORT [=y] && USB [=y] || USB_SPEEDTOUCH [=n] && USB_SUPPORT [=y] && USB_ATM [=n] || USB_CXACRU [=n] && USB_SUPPORT [=y] && USB_ATM [=n] || USB_UEAGLEATM [=n] && USB_SUPPORT [=y] && USB_ATM [=n] || UWB_I1480U [=n] && UWB [=n] && UWB_HWA [=n] || BRCMSMAC [=n] && STAGING [=n] && !STAGING_EXCLUDE_BUILD [=n] && PCI [=y] && BRCM80211 [=n] && MAC80211 [=n] || BRCMFMAC [=n] && STAGING [=n] && !STAGING_EXCLUDE_BUILD [=n] && MMC [=n] && BRCM80211 [=n] && CFG80211 [=n] || RT2860 [=n] && STAGING [=n] && !STAGING_EXCLUDE_BUILD [=n] && PCI [=y] && X86 [=y] && WLAN [=n] || RT2870 [=n] && STAGING [=n] && !STAGING_EXCLUDE_BUILD [=n] && USB [=y] && (X86 [=y] || ARM) && WLAN [=n] || R8712U [=n] && STAGING [=n] && !STAGING_EXCLUDE_BUILD [=n] && WLAN [=n] && USB [=y] || DRM_NOUVEAU [=n] && STAGING [=n] && !STAGING_EXCLUDE_BUILD [=n] && DRM [=y] && PCI [=y] || VT6656 [=n] && STAGING [=n] && !STAGING_EXCLUDE_BUILD [=n] && USB [=y] && WLAN [=n] && m && <choice> || DELL_RBU [=n] && X86 [=y]

Once the above boolean expression is satisfied, the config item is automatically selected and the user cannot simply de-select it. The only way to be able to de-select is to ensure that the above conditions are never satisfied.

In the help, you'll also see:

Code:

Depends on: EXPERT [=y]

This means that, in this case, Device Drivers > Generic Driver Option > Userspace firmware loading support can only be selected if config item EXPERT is set to yes. Otherwise, it's gray'ed out or hidden.

slack32 · 04-17-2012, 01:38 AM

I've tried deleting .config, then do make allnoconfig.
Still, it's selected by default.

towheedm · 04-17-2012, 07:35 AM

Try setting EXPERT=yes and go through your config thoroughly. Remember, this is the most important part of building the kernel.

I remember when I just started learning to build the kernel, I went through every config items making sure I understood exactly what each item did. This exercise took me 5 days but ended up with a properly working custom built kernel.

There's a site I used that explained most of the config items, and while some were outdated, it did help quite a bit. Unfortunately, I can't remember that site ATM, but you could try a search.