Linux Networking Cookbook

2.11. Adding New Hardware Drivers

Problem

You are using a network interface card (NIC) that is not supported in Pyramid, and you want to install the driver.

Solution

You'll need a loadable kernel module. The easy way is to boot up an Ubuntu liveCD, find a module in /lib/modules/[kernel-version]/kernel/drivers/net, and copy it to the same directory on Pyramid:

	ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ scp /lib/modules/2.6.15-26-386/kernel/drivers/net \ root@192.168.1.
	1:/lib/modules/2.6.15.8-metrix/kernel/drivers/net/

Then, on Pyramid, run:

	pyramid:~# update-modules

To immediately load the module for testing use modprobe, like this example using the fake nicdriver.ko module:

	pyramid:~# modprobe nicdriver

Don't use the file extension, just the module name. To load it automatically at boot, place the module in /etc/modules with a comment telling what NIC it belongs to:

	#driver for Foo wireless pcmcia
	nicdriver

Discussion

What if Ubuntu does not include the module? If it's a Linux kernel module, you'll have to build it from Ubuntu sources, then copy it to Pyramid. Use Ubuntu kernel sources. If it's a vendor module, follow their instructions for installation. But your best option is to use an NIC that is well-supported in the Linux kernel.

See Also

• man 8 modprobe

• man 8 lsmod

• man 5 modules

• Appendix C

• Chapter 10, "Patching, Customizing, and Upgrading Kernels," in Linux Cookbook, by Carla Schroder (O'Reilly)