kernel module customizing

velska · 09-23-2003, 11:46 AM

I haven't installed kernel sources yet, and when I do, I'm gonna get the 2.4.22 from kernel.org so I get some mileage out of my troubles.

My driver manufacturer's instructions say that there should already be a file by the name of w6692.c in my /usr/src/linux/drivers/isdn/hisax. I'm supposed to replace the old file with the new one (maybe I should add the pertinent lines to the old one?) and recompile kernel.

Now what troubles me is that I should have to recompile the whole kernel because of one driver file. Okay, live and learn.

Then, I'd like to know what tools I should use for separately compiling a C language source file. I have some windoze experience with programming in C++ and Visual Basic (3 years), so understanding that part of it isn't as hard as getting inside the workings of linux, for now.

Okay, let's go from here and see what we get.

Thetargos · 09-23-2003, 11:55 AM

If the module is already in the Make heriarchy of the kernel source, you should have no trouble getting it to work. If you are going to compile a newer kernel, however, you may as well just overwrite the one given file with the other and since you are going to upgrade your kernel anyway, you compile the new source of the driver and the kernel in the same build.

First you will need the sources, then look for the file you should overwrite:

Code:

$ su
password:
# cd /to/your/sources
# find . -iname w6692.c

Note the single dot (.) on the find command above, it means the current directory. After a short while the command should retrun the absolute path to the file, 'cd' to that location and just copy over the file:

Code:

# cd /to/the/file/path
# cp /location/to/the/newer/w6692.c .

Now follow the steps in the guide to configure the kernel, see if under the ISDN kernel options is your device mentioned (don't forget to read the HELP entries) then make as usual

Thetargos · 09-23-2003, 11:57 AM

To compile just the file, you should first know what will the module be called, then you could simply type:

Code:

# gcc -o <modulename>.o w6692.c

Though I would not do it, because the in the kenrel's Makefile there are additional options parsed to gcc and ld (the linker) as to how the module should be built.

velska · 09-23-2003, 12:12 PM

I'm not quite sure of the module. The kernel only reports "ISDN Module" and it's supposed to be a part of HiSax (or hisaxctrl - might be spelled wrong for now). But it could be isdnctrl (again, spelling may be wrong), too.

I just gotta wait till my ftp finishes downloading full kernel sources.

Thetargos · 09-23-2003, 12:14 PM

Let me check on my config how is it confiugured.

Thetargos · 09-23-2003, 12:17 PM

Yes there it is, your driver is under: ISDN Subsystem-->Passive ISDN cards-->HiSax siemens chipset driver support

velska · 09-23-2003, 12:32 PM

I'll probably just find out what all there is in the native file and try to add the pertinent lines from the driver file. It's not really new, its date being May 2001, but it has the Asus card information.

I'll come back with my kernel compilation griefs...

I just can't believe it's as easy as you outlined in your howto...

Thetargos · 09-23-2003, 12:36 PM

Well if you want a practical Linux Kernel compilation guide for dummies yes, it is THAT easy. (and I considered myself a dummy for quite a long time!)