Message-ID: <3F4D4B49.8010907@rackable.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 17:22:33 -0700
From: Samuel Flory <sflory@rackable.com>
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To: Stephen Hemminger <shemminger@osdl.org>
CC: joe briggs <jbriggs@briggsmedia.com>, linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org
Subject: Re: binary kernel drivers re. hpt370 and redhat
References: <200308271840.30368.jbriggs@briggsmedia.com> <20030827145755.7e1ce956.shemminger@osdl.org>
In-Reply-To: <20030827145755.7e1ce956.shemminger@osdl.org>
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Stephen Hemminger wrote:

>On Wed, 27 Aug 2003 18:40:30 -0400
>joe briggs <jbriggs@briggsmedia.com> wrote:
>
>  
>
>>I have a client who has a raid controller currently supported under windows, 
>>and now wants to support linux as a bootable device.  Currently, some of 
>>their trade secrets are contained in the driver as opposed to the controller 
>>firmware, etc., so for now they wish to release a binary-only driver to 
>>certain beta customers.  (i.e., 1st stage of porting is similar functionality 
>>as windows). Am I correct that in order to boot off of this device that the 
>>driver would have to be statically linked in vs. a module which could be 
>>distributed as a binary-only driver keyed to the kernel.revision of the 
>>distribution's kernel?  I would like to avoid any flames and ask that all 
>>recognize that some hardware providers are having to ease into the pond a toe 
>>at a time.  Any constructive thoughts, suggestions, references, tips, etc. 
>>highly appreciated.
>>    
>>
>
>The driver could be a module and live in initramfs.  If you can
>get the initial Linux image and initramfs loaded, you would be okay.
>

   Rather an initrd under Linux.  Note that there is a partial source 
driver, and RH driver's disks here: (look under raid IC with the right 
chipset for partial source.)
http://www.highpoint-tech.com/usaindex.htm

>
>The problem is more in the bootloader (LILO or GRUB) would not no how
>to do raid. The /boot partition would have to be on a non-raid partition.
>Same problem if driver is statically linked in the kernel.
>  
>
   If you are doing raid 1.  Lilo should work.  It doesn't really matter 
if lilo isn't aware of of the data on the other drive.  Each has a full 
copy of everything.

PS-  Newer linux kernels should be able to support the "raid" controller 
as a normal ide controller.  You could then just configure linux 
software raid.

-- 
Once you have their hardware. Never give it back.
(The First Rule of Hardware Acquisition)
Sam Flory  <sflory@rackable.com>


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