Howto: create missing kernel modules

[ammoQ]

As you may have noticed, the original kernel source for the 2.6.23.9lw kernel is hard to get, and some usefull kernel modules are missing. In my case, I needed the modules tun.ko and ppp_mppe.ko to connect to remote servers through VPN.
Here is how I solved it (most steps done on a faster Linux PC with all necessary tools installed). Some familarity with Linux is required to follow those steps, though.

a) (other PC) get the vanila kernel source from http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/ ... .9.tar.bz2
b) (other PC) extract the source:

tar xjvf linux-2.6.23.9.tar.bz2 -C /usr/src

c) (other PC) rename the source tree to match the kernel's name on the Aspire (otherwise the modules wont load):

cd /usr/src
mv mv linux-2.6.23.9 linux-2.6.23.9lw

d) (other PC) copy the config file from the Aspire One, found in /boot, to this machine, and rename it

cp config_080627 /usr/src/linux-2.6.23.9lw/.config

e) (other PC) edit the config file to include the modules you need (or use make menuconfig)
f) (other PC) make the kernel and the modules

cd /usr/src/linux-2.6.23.9lw
make
make modules

g) (other PC/AspireOne) locate the new modules, copy them (and only them, not the whole kernel!) to the Aspire one and into the modules directory

cp tun.ko /lib/modules/2.6.23.9lw/kernel/drivers/net/

h) (AspireOne) run depmod

 

[callmeishmael]

Hi,
would you please so kind to post the vpn modules? Did you also manage to connect to a windows based network (pptp)?
I tried to do this but did not want to screw the default installation.

Thanks
Ishmael

 

[ammoQ]

Yes, connection over pptp works with that. You have to install the neccessary packages for pptp, though, install pptp-1.7.1-3.fc8 from the fedora core 8 repository.

Warning: installing kernel modules from an untrustworthy source (like me) is not the most sensible thing to do. Do it at your own risk
Anyway, if you want to take the risk, here we go:
http://members.chello.at/erich.kitzmuel ... pp_mppe.ko
http://members.chello.at/erich.kitzmuel ... own/tun.ko

tun.ko is not necessary for pptp connections; I need that so phionvpn works.

 

[callmeishmael]

Yes, connection over pptp works with that. You have to install the neccessary packages for pptp, though, install pptp-1.7.1-3.fc8 from the fedora core 8 repository.

Thanks, I already did that, but I realized that the tun module was missing

Warning: installing kernel modules from an untrustworthy source (like me) is not the most sensible thing to do. Do it at your own risk

Yes, I know, and I'll take the risk , however your consideration is definely true.
Actually, re-reading your post I realized that I can use a different PC to compile the kernel, so maybe I'll do it. I asked the module just because I did not want to install all dev stuff and wait ages for the kernel to compile in the AcerOne.

Thanks once again

 

[ammoQ]

Thanks, I already did that, but I realized that the tun module was missing

I don't think you need tun.ko. More likely, you need ppp_mppe.ko. It depends on the server configuration.

 

[egesia]

Is tun module required for installing hamachi vpn, am i right ?
And what about bluetooth dongles and full samba sharing functionality, are some modules required ?

Thank you
egesia

 

[ammoQ]

Is tun module required for installing hamachi vpn, am i right ?

Probably, but I don't know hamachi. If it complains about the TUN or TAP device (missing, inaccessible etc.), you need tun.ko.

And what about bluetooth dongles and full samba sharing functionality, are some modules required ?

I don't know if the required modules are missing in the Aspire One default installation. When I connect my bluetooth dongle, it loads the uhci_hcd kernel module, so at least this one is already there. If you have another PC with Linux where USB-Bluetooth works, check which kernel modules it loads when you connect the dongle.

 

[thx1138]

Thanks for posting the tun module. That saves a lot of compiling time, and fixed my vpnc install beautifully.

 

[callmeishmael]

Hi ammoQ,
I don't want to abuse of your help but i wonder if you can post the exacts steps you followed to setup and start a vpn connection to a windows lan.
I installed pptpconfig package using from fedora core 8 repos, but once i start it i get the windows but all the text in it is replaced by small squares, i.e. i can't read anything so I can't use it.
In my Ubuntu install on a different pc, I used the network manager vpn plugin, but in linpus it's not available.
So, I followed the steps in this tutorial, but being Debian based I can't use the pon/poff scripts which are required to start the connection.
I'm stuck

 

[ammoQ]

Hi callmeishal, I simply used the config files from another computer.
/etc/ppp/options.pptp looks like that:

user "ammoQ"
lock
noauth
refuse-eap
refuse-chap
refuse-mschap
nobsdcomp
nodeflate
#mppe required,stateless
require-mppe-128

/etc/ppp/chap-secrets looks like that:

# Secrets for authentication using CHAP
# client        server  secret                  IP addresses
ammoQ        myserver         "obviouslyFake"       *

to start the connection, i run

pptp myserver.mydomain.com file /etc/ppp/options.pptp
sleep 10
route add -net 10.1.2.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 gw 10.1.2.10

 

[callmeishmael]

Thank you so much, AmmoQ, worked like a charm

 

[anz]

Thanks alot, Dear ammoQ for that HowTo! vpnc runs without /dev/net/tun-not-found-error!
G R E A T !

 

[Chicksaw]

whats "depmod"? because i can't find that command.

 

[callmeishmael]

whats "depmod"? because i can't find that command.

when you load a module,using modprobe it may happen to have another module to be loaded before,in order to have your module to work. It's called module dependence. The depmod command rebuilds the dependency database, and basically tells the kernel which modules have to be loaded before the newly added modules.
It has to be run as root, and that's the reason you don't find that command as a normal user: the default paths are different.
You have to become root with the "su" command, and typing your password. Then run the depmod command.

 

[Chicksaw]

Oke thx i got it working at last!
Can u use vpnc with a .conf file or a link or something because vpnc-connect doesn't work.

 

[janss]

Topic moved to the "How to Guides" section

 

[dazoe]

What about compiling modules that must be downloaded? how do you compile agenst a kernel that is not running on a machine?

 

[Wicked]

Sorry to interfere in your very serious work related issues, but could anyone build the modules for USB gamepads ?

I plan to use my one as a portable classic gaming device (when I'm not working...) and I was sad to see gamepads weren't supported out of the box.

Tried to follow that howto to do it myself but failed...