Adding kernel module devices is done similar to using the conf.modules file in Linux. You will need to create a DOS formatted floppy with the kernel module on it along with a file with the name of each module to load in the order that you want it loaded.

Step 1: Acquire a kernel module driver for your device from your hardware manufacturer or reseller. The NetMAX verion L22Pv3.2 has a 2.2.18 Linux kernel. That information may help you to select the appropriate driver.

Step 2: Format a DOS dikette (1.44MB format floppy with FAT-16), and copy the kernel module files onto the diskette (the .o files). You will probably want to do this on a windows machine.

Step 3: Next, you'll need to create a text file with UNIX end of line characters that has the name of each module that you want to load on a seperate line. The name of the file should be "modules" and placed in the main directory along with the drivers. For example, your disk might contain a new tulip driver (tulip.o) and a compaq driver (cpqarray.o). You might create your modules file to contain the following two lines:

tulip.o
cpqarray.o

It may be easier to get UNIX end of line character (nl as opposed to cr,lf) by using a HEX editor (intead of a regular text editor like notepad). Or even easier would be to mount the floppy on a Linux machine and create the file in vi.

mount -t msdos /dev/fd0 /mnt
vi /mnt/modules
umount /mnt

Step 4: When booting from the CDROM or boot floppy during installation, there will be a boot prompt where you will have 30 seconds to type something in or the default kernel will be loaded. This prompt will say "Wait 30 seconds for automatic boot or press ENTER to continue immediately". At this prompt, type the following:

linux driver

Step 5: You will be prompted for the driver diskette with "Please insert the UNSUPPORTED MODULES FLOPPY into the drive and press Enter". At this time, insert the floppy that you made and press the ENTER key.

The NetMAX will load your drivers, or give you warning or error messages stating the nature of the problem loading the drivers, then request for you to remove the driver diskette.

Step 6: Return to your Installation Instructions as provided in the Manual.

Step 7: If the driver you installed was for a hard disk drive controller, you will probably want to add this module to /etc/rc.sysinit to be loaded every time on reboot, as this is not yet done automatically.

To do this, copy the kernal module device driver into the /lib/modules/2.2.18/block directory and run the depmod command:

depmod -a

Now add lines similar to the following in your /etc/rc.sysinit file under the "# Add raid devices" section. For this example, the name of our driver is cpqarray.o

if [ -f /lib/modules/2.2.18/block/cpqarray.o ]; then
        action "Starting up Compaq Controller." /sbin/modprobe cpqarray
fi

Also, note that some drivers get updated from time to time to support more devices. If the driver is already on the CD, you will not be able to use the driver diskette method to load a newer copy of it. There are work arounds for some hardware issues. Please see the NetMAX user forums for more information on these.

Note that the simplest method is often to purchase hardware that is on our compatibility lists in the first place. This can save a great deal of time and effort compared some trying to get certain unsupported hardware devices working. The method above will not work for all hardware.