Arch Linux

canurabus

Member

Registered: 2012-02-12

Posts: 10

How do I install / update a specific kernel module?

Hi

I'm trying to update an existing kernel module. I can download it and it comes with a pretty easy to use Makefile based on http://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation … odules.txt. The Makefile installs the newly created module into /lib/modules/$kernelversion/extra. I have some questions regarding this behavior:

* The Makefile creates a *.ko whereas arch uses compressed *.ko.gz modules. Do I have to compress the built module before installing it?
* Is the default install path (/extra) right? What about the module that already exists in /kernel/drivers/xxxx? Should I leave the new one in extra and remove the old one, or just replace the old one directly (backup not withstanding)?

Regards,

can

tomk

Forum Fellow

From: Ireland

Registered: 2004-07-21

Posts: 9,839

Re: How do I install / update a specific kernel module?

Never heard of the /extra dir in this context. AFAIK the correct way to do this is to place the updated module in /lib/modules/$kernelversion/updates (create the updates dir if it's not already there). This way, the older version remains in place, but the version in /updates takes precedence.

WonderWoofy

Member

From: Los Gatos, CA

Registered: 2012-05-19

Posts: 8,414

Re: How do I install / update a specific kernel module?

I think the OP is referring the the /lib/modules/extramodules-3.5-ARCH directory. (If using the stock kernel of course)