Linux* Distribution Issues ========================== July 20, 2007 This document covers known issues between Intel networking drivers and various supported Linux distributions. Contents ======== - Legal Notice - Overview - e1000 Driver Issues - igb Driver Issues - ixgb Driver Issues - ixgbe Driver Issues - Linux Kernel Issues - Support Legal Notice ============ This software program is released under the terms of a license agreement between you ('Licensee') and Intel. Do not use or load this software or any associated materials (collectively, the 'Software') until you have carefully read the full terms and conditions of the LICENSE located in this software package. By loading or using the Software, you agree to the terms of this Agreement. If you do not agree with the terms of this Agreement, do not install or use the Software. Copyright(c) 2007 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel Corporation, 5200 N.E. Elam Young Parkway, Hillsboro, OR 97124-6497 Intel Corporation assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Nor does Intel make any commitment to update the information contained herein. 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. e1000 Driver Issues =================== 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: - SUSE Linux 9.3 (kernel 2.6.11.4-20a-default) - SUSE Linux 10 (kernel 2.6.13-15-default) To get PCIe adapters to function properly with these UP kernels, use the "apic" kernel option. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) Issues ========================================== SLES (based on v2.4 kernels): ACPI enable may cause Intel(R) Dual Port Gigabit Adapters to fail ------------------------------------------------------------- If ACPI is turned on in the kernel, Intel Dual Port PRO/1000 Adapters may not work. This is due to a limitation in ACPI. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9/10: Warning message during driver build ---------------------------------------------------------------------- While building the driver on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 or 10 installations, the following warning or something similar may be displayed. Symbol version dump /usr/src/-obj// / Module.symvers is missing, modules will have CONFIG_MODVERSIONS disabled. It is safe to ignore this message. The driver will load and function normally. While loading the driver, the following warnings in the syslog may be ignored: linux kernel: : no version for "struct_module" found: kernel tainted. linux kernel: : unsupported module, tainting kernel. linux kernel: : module not supported by Novell, setting U taint flag. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for Intel(R) 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(R) 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, the following warning may be ignored: /lib/modules/2.4.9-e.34/build/include/linux/rhconfig.h:31:60: operator '(' has no left operand NOTE: Go to www.redhat.com for Red Hat's procedure for building a Linux kernel. NOTE: This problem is resolved in Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 2.1 Update 4. Linux 2.4 Kernel: Intel(R) Desktop Board D915GEV and PCIe Adapters ------------------------------------------------------------------ If you install a PCI Express (PCIe) adapter in a system based on an Intel(R) Desktop Board D915GEV with a Linux distribution using kernel version 2.4 (such as RHEL 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 a Linux distribution using a v2.6 kernel, such as Red Hat EL 4 AS or SLES 9. Booting with the NOAPIC kernel parameter will also workaround this problem for systems using a 2.4 kernel. igb Driver Issues ================= ixgb Driver Issues ================== ixgbe Driver Issues =================== 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 driver 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. 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.