Messages in this thread | | | Date | Wed, 27 Aug 2003 17:22:33 -0700 | From | Samuel Flory <> | Subject | Re: binary kernel drivers re. hpt370 and redhat |
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Stephen Hemminger wrote:
>On Wed, 27 Aug 2003 18:40:30 -0400 >joe briggs <jbriggs@briggsmedia.com> wrote: > > > >>I have a client who has a raid controller currently supported under windows, >>and now wants to support linux as a bootable device. Currently, some of >>their trade secrets are contained in the driver as opposed to the controller >>firmware, etc., so for now they wish to release a binary-only driver to >>certain beta customers. (i.e., 1st stage of porting is similar functionality >>as windows). Am I correct that in order to boot off of this device that the >>driver would have to be statically linked in vs. a module which could be >>distributed as a binary-only driver keyed to the kernel.revision of the >>distribution's kernel? I would like to avoid any flames and ask that all >>recognize that some hardware providers are having to ease into the pond a toe >>at a time. Any constructive thoughts, suggestions, references, tips, etc. >>highly appreciated. >> >> > >The driver could be a module and live in initramfs. If you can >get the initial Linux image and initramfs loaded, you would be okay. >
Rather an initrd under Linux. Note that there is a partial source driver, and RH driver's disks here: (look under raid IC with the right chipset for partial source.) http://www.highpoint-tech.com/usaindex.htm
> >The problem is more in the bootloader (LILO or GRUB) would not no how >to do raid. The /boot partition would have to be on a non-raid partition. >Same problem if driver is statically linked in the kernel. > > If you are doing raid 1. Lilo should work. It doesn't really matter if lilo isn't aware of of the data on the other drive. Each has a full copy of everything.
PS- Newer linux kernels should be able to support the "raid" controller as a normal ide controller. You could then just configure linux software raid.
-- Once you have their hardware. Never give it back. (The First Rule of Hardware Acquisition) Sam Flory <sflory@rackable.com>
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