Ishwor Gurung <[email protected]> writes:
>> I assume you worked it out, but the answer to your original question is:
>>
>> You need the kernel headers (and configuration) that match the kernel you
>> are building the module against. The "any-any" patch helps with newer
>> kernels, but doesn't change the equation: build VMWare against the same
>> headers as the kernel. The reason for this is that different kernels, and
>> different configuration options, all change the layout of binary data
>> structures that the module refers to.
>>
>> Get that wrong and you can go direct to data corruption city, not passing
>> go, and not collecting anything but a lot of grief on the way.
>
> I remember compiling headers couple of years ago on Potato/Etch (I think it
> was Etch. The machine doesn't live with me anymore). Anyway, the thing with
> vmware-config.pl is that it will _fail_ to compile a proper module if the
> kernel headers are wrong or missing anyway.
*nod* Generally...
> So, although your statement might still be valid (the corruption bit...
> especially if you really intend to corrupt the data using special ABI
> magickery), I think in the OPs case, it will simply fail to compile+link if
> he/she gets the wrong headers.
...the result of a mismatch is a compilation failure, or an error caused by
the checks in the Linux kernel to ensure that the module has a compatible ABI
to the running kernel.
However, those are not infallible, and I have come across plenty of (terribly
bad) advice over the years like "...and then turn off ABI compatibility
checking, so you can install the module, and..."
In fairness, yes, what I presented was an extreme case, and the most likely
result is the compilation failure you mention. (For the OP: this compilation
failure is also what the any-any stuff works with, when your kernel is newer
than what was released at the time VMWare made their release. :)
Daniel
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