On Wed, 23 Feb 2000, Jeff Garzik wrote:
> Chmouel Boudjnah wrote:
> > > I also want to bring up again the problem with kernel-2.2.15-0.7mdk not
> > > properly exporting best_memset for some reason. I had to revert to the
> > > 2.2.14 kernel to get vmware working. One of it's kernel modules
> > > complains about best_memset not being available on the 2.2.15 kernel.
> >
> > ask this on the lmkml but not sure if they will not reject you by a :
> >
> > we don't support binary drivers
>
> Yep... if a binary driver works for you it is basically luck (and maybe
> good testing by the vendor). Binary modules depend on basic things like
> sizes of types not changing, sizes of core structures not changing,
> etc. Both kernel and compiler options used at the time of the kernel
> build affect these variables. In order to completely support a _single_
> distro, a VMWare (for example) needs to provide a binary module for
>
> * kernel-linus
> * kernel-fb
> * kernel
> * kernel-smp
> * kernel-smp-fb
> * kernel-your-flavor-of-the-month
>
> ...and also provide custom builds for people with highmem/non-highmem
> cconfigurations, etc.
>
> For MandrakeSoft, I think it is MOSTLY the same situation. But since we
> are a vendor, we can make "quick hacks" if they are safe and get some
> binary modules working.
>
> So... I think exporting "best_memset" from all our kernels is a safe
> and good patch...
It should be noted that this isn't a "binary module" problem. When VMware
installs, it _compiles_ new modules to go with your existing kernel, unless
you have one it knows about (i.e. you're running genuine and unmodified
RedHat). You get the best_memset error when attempting to load the new
module you just compiled!
I had this error come up before while using the 2.2.14pre kernels, and had
to revert to 2.2.13. When 2.2.14 was officially released, the problem went
away. Based on what the poster above is saying, it sounds like the problem
has reappeared in 2.2.15pre again. Odd as this sounds, it seems like the
problem always and only occurs with "pre" kernels.
