Linux* Distribution Issues

Overview

Linux Kernel Issues

SUSE* Linux Issues

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Issues

Red Hat* Enterprise Linux AS Issues

Support


Overview

This file describes Linux distribution-specific issues. For general information and support, see the Support page.

If an issue is identified with the released source code on the supported kernel with a supported adapter, email the specific information related to the issue to e1000-devel@lists.sf.net.


Linux Kernel Issues

Linux 2.6 Kernel: Loading and unloading modules

A new kernel API has been implemented within the Linux 2.6 kernel regarding the module reference count. This results in the e100, e1000 and ixgb drivers being used with a module reference count of zero. Consequently, our driver module can be removed from the system while still being used by other modules. Until the other modules within the Linux stack use the new API, unintended consequences may occur with module removal. This may result in system hangs and/or panics.

Linux 2.4 Kernel: Intel® Desktop Board D915GEV and PCIe Adapters

If you are using a system based on an Intel® Desktop Board D950GEV, and install a PCI Express (PCIe) adapter, and run a Linux distribution with the v2.4 kernel (such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3), the system may panic or hang. This behavior has been observed with various brands of PCIe adapters besides those from Intel. This does not occur on Linux distributions using a v2.6 kernel, such as Red Hat EL 4 AS or SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9. Booting with the NOAPIC kernel parameter will also workaround this problem for systems running with a 2.4 kernel.


SUSE Linux 9.3 and 10

Unable to pass traffic with UP or SMP kernel with "noapic"

In the default (UP) kernel config, APIC is being turned off while MSI is being turned on. MSI requires that LOCAL_APIC be turned on to work successfully.

This is a kernel config problem in these versions:

To get PCIe adapters to function properly in these UP kernels, use the "apic" kernel option.


SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Issues

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (based on v2.4 kernel):
ACPI May Cause Dual Port Gigabit Adapters to Fail

If ACPI is turned on in the kernel, dual port adapters may not work. This is due to a limitation in ACPI.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 and 10:
Warning message during driver build

While building the driver on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 or 10 installations, the following warning or one similar may be displayed. It is safe to ignore this message. The driver will load and function normally.

Symbol version dump /usr/src/<kernel-version>-obj/<arch>/<kernel flavor>/Module.symvers is missing, modules will have CONFIG_MODVERSIONS disabled.

While loading the driver, ignore the warnings in the syslog:
linux kernel: <driver name>: no version for "struct_module" found: kernel tainted.
linux kernel: <driver name>: unsupported module, tainting kernel.
linux kernel: <driver name>: module not supported by Novell, setting U taint flag.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 (for Intel® Itanium):
Unresolved symbols

If you get unresolved symbol errors when loading the e1000 driver, perform the following:

  1. cd /usr/src/linux
  2. make cloneconfig
  3. make dep

Then rebuild the driver.


Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS Issues

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 3

While building the driver on Intel® Itanium systems, the following warnings may be ignored:

warning: unused variable `ptr'
Use of 'mov' may violate WAW dependency

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 2.1

In Update 3, if there are errors while compiling the driver, do the following:

  1. Change to the kernel source directory.

  2. Perform all the required steps to build the kernel up to and including ‘make dep’.

  3. Modify EXTRAVERSION in the Makefile in Red Hat kernel source directory to match the version of the running kernel.

  4. Build the driver, using instructions located in the README file.

    While building the driver, ignore the warning:

    /lib/modules/2.4.9-e.34/build/include/linux/rhconfig.h:31:60: operator '(' has no left operand

NOTES:
  • This problem is resolved in Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 2.1 Update 4 and later.

  • Go to www.redhat.com for Red Hat's procedure for building a Linux kernel.


Support

For general information and support, go to the Intel support website at:

http://support.intel.com

or the Intel Wired Networking project hosted by Sourceforge at:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/e1000

If an issue is identified with the released source code on the supported kernel with a supported adapter, email the specific information related to the issue to e1000-devel@lists.sf.net


Trademarks

Intel, Itanium, and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.


Last modified on 3/16/07 10:54a Revision 3