Linux* Distribution Issues==========================March 14, 2005This document covers known issues between Intel networking driversand various supported Linux distributions.Contents========- Legal Notice- Overview- Linux Kernel Issues- SUSE* Linux Issues- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Issues- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS Issues- SupportLegal Notice============This software program is released under the terms of a license agreementbetween 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) 2005 Intel Corporation.  All rights reserved.Intel Corporation, 5200 N.E.  Elam Young Parkway, Hillsboro, OR 97124-6497Intel Corporation assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Nor does Intel make any commitment to update the informationcontained herein.Overview========This file describes Linux distribution-specific issues.  Forgeneral information and support, see the Support page.If an issue is identified with the released source code on thesupported kernel with a supported adapter, email the specificinformation related to the issue to linux.nics@intel.com.Linux Kernel Issues===================Linux 2.6 Kernel: Loading and unloading modules-----------------------------------------------A new kernel API has been implemented within the Linux 2.6 kernelregarding the module reference count.  This results in the e100,e1000 and ixgb drivers  being used with a module reference countof zero.  Consequently, our driver module can be removed from thesystem while still being used by other modules.  Until the othermodules within the Linux stack use the new API, unintendedconsequences may occur with module removal.  This may result insystem hangs and/or panics.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 anIntel(R) Desktop Board D915GEV with a Linux distribution using kernelversion 2.4 (such as RHEL 3), the system may panic or hang.  Thisbehavior has been observed with various brands of PCIe adaptersbesides those from Intel.  This does not occur on a Linux distributionusing a v2.6 kernel, such as Red Hat EL 4 AS or SLES 9.  Booting withthe NOAPIC kernel parameter will also workaround this problem forsystems using a 2.4 kernel.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 MSIis being turned on.  MSI requires that LOCAL_APIC be turned on to worksuccessfully.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, usethe "apic" kernel option.SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) Issues==========================================SLES (based on v2.4 kernels): ACPI enable may cause Intel(R) Dual PortPRO/1000 Adapters to fail-------------------------------------------------------------If ACPI is turned on in the kernel, Intel Dual Port PRO/1000 Adaptersmay not work.  This is due to a limitation in ACPI.SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9: Warning message during driver build-------------------------------------------------------------------While building the driver on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9installations, the following warning or something similar may bedisplayed.  Symbol version dump /usr/src/<kernel-version>-obj/<arch>/  <kernel flavor>/ Module.symvers is missing, modules will have  CONFIG_MODVERSIONS disabled.It is safe to ignore this message.  The driver will load and functionnormally.While loading the driver, the following warnings in the syslog may beignored:  linux kernel: <driver name>: no version for "struct_module" found:  kernel tainted.  linux kernel: <driver name>: unsupported module, tainting kernel.  linux kernel: <driver name>: 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 depThen rebuild the driver.Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS Issues==================================Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 4-----------------------------In Version 2.5.50, unplugging network cable while ethtool -p is runningwill cause system to become unresponsive to keyboard commands, except forcontrol-alt-delete.  Restarting the system appears to be the only remedy.This occurs in distributions later than v2.5.50.Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 3-----------------------------While building the driver on Intel(R) Itanium systems, the followingwarnings may be ignored:  warning: unused variable `ptr'  Use of 'mov' may violate WAW dependencyRed Hat Enterprise Linux AS 2.1-------------------------------In Update 3, if there are errors while compiling the driver, do thefollowing:  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 operandNOTE: 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.Support=======For general information and support, go to the Intel support website at:  http://support.intel.comor the Intel Wired Networking project hosted by Sourceforge at:    http://sourceforge.net/projects/e1000If an issue is identified with the released source code on the supportedkernel with a supported adapter, email the specific information relatedto the issue to e1000-devel@lists.sf.netTrademarks==========Intel, Itanium, and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks ofIntel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and othercountries.* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.