2.6 kernel

Forum: DSL Ideas and Suggestions
Topic: 2.6 kernel
started by: jimbob

Posted by jimbob on Feb. 21 2007,17:33

When will DSL move to the 2.6 kernel series?

Posted by Juanito on Feb. 21 2007,17:56

DSL-N is there now...

Posted by jimbob on Feb. 21 2007,18:57

I know, and it works great.

I need the 2.6 kernel because the 2.4 will not support my network card.

Posted by mikshaw on Feb. 21 2007,20:16

The 2.6 kernel is, as I understand it, one of the main reasons DSL-N was created. My guess is that DSL will never go beyond 2.4 unless either there is some major reduction in the size of future kernels & modules, or it is decided to remove some large parts of the DSL base.

Posted by lucky13 on Feb. 21 2007,20:29

Quote (jimbob @ Feb. 21 2007,13:57)

I need the 2.6 kernel because the 2.4 will not support my network card.

What kind of card do you have that 2.4 doesn't support?

Posted by jimbob on Feb. 21 2007,20:58

It is an onboard Nvidia CK8S ethernet controller which is not recognized.
The forcedeth module is supposed to work (and indeed does with DSL-N and 2.6 kernel).

Here is what I get when I try to modprobe forcedeth:

/lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/drivers/net/forcedeth.o: init_module: No such device
Hint: insmod errors can be caused by incorrect module parameters, including invalid IO or IRQ parameters.
You may find more information in syslog or in the output from dmesg.
/lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/drivers/net/forcedeth.o:
insmod /lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/drivers/net/forcedeth.o: failed
/lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/drivers/net/forcedeth.o: insmod forcedeth failed

Syslog is empty and dmesg gives only this:

<6> forcedeth.c: Reverse Engineered nForce ethernet driver

(Above is from my post in the Networking section).

Posted by humpty on Feb. 21 2007,21:35

have you considered adding a pci (nowadays dirt cheap) network card?

Posted by jimbob on Feb. 21 2007,22:04

Yes, as a matter of fact I have a couple of Wal-Mart specials in my spares drawer but it bothers me to add something that is already in there and works fine with DSL-N.

Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Feb. 21 2007,23:01

Unfortunately, you still haven't tested out what others have gotten to work.
See < http://damnsmalllinux.org/cgi-bin....t=17616 >

Posted by lucky13 on Feb. 21 2007,23:27

Quote (jimbob @ Feb. 21 2007,17:04)

Yes, as a matter of fact I have a couple of Wal-Mart specials in my spares drawer but it bothers me to add something that is already in there and works fine with DSL-N.

It bothers you? Okay. So you'd prefer the developers replace the current kernel with a much larger one (which would require stripping DSL of a couple MB worth of applications) because:
1. You have two more NICs that'll probably work but you won't even bother to open your computer because you already have one in it, and
2. You haven't followed hat's suggestion of trying DSL 2.1b even though it has the module you need.

Pop in another NIC or download DSL 2.1b to use the one you have in your box. Personally, I'm unwilling to trade apps for a larger kernel unless the kernel addresses a lot more than someone's refusal to address and resolve issues over which he has full control.