Kernel Modules with Unknown Parameters Failing to Load

This document (7005765) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9

Situation

Attempting to load a kernel module (usbcore in this example) fails with the following error:

# modprobe usbcore
FATAL: Error inserting usbcore (/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/core/usbcore.ko): Unknown symbol in module, or unknown parameter (see dmesg)

The dmesg output shows:

# dmesg | grep usbcore
usbcore: Unknown parameter `usbfs_sn00p'

Resolution

Remove the invalid parameter from the module configuration files and retest.
1. Edit the /etc/modprobe.conf, /etc/modprobe.conf.local or /etc/modproble.d/usbcore file(s)
2. Find the parameter listed in the dmesg output (ie usbfs_sn00p)
3. Edit or change the parameter to a valid setting
4. Save and load the module

If the module is required in the ram disk (/boot/initrd), after making the appropriate changes in the modprobe configuration files, you will need complete these additional steps:
1. Rebuild the ram disk with mkinitrd
2. Reboot the server

Additional Information

Use the modinfo command to determine a list of valid module parameters. In this example, usbfs_snoop was spelled with zeros "0" instead of o's "o".

# modinfo usbcore
filename:       /lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/usb/core/usbcore.ko
license:        GPL
srcversion:     F52A6E4608E159449A1E8C0
alias:          usb:v*p*d*dc*dsc*dp*ic09isc*ip*
alias:          usb:v*p*d*dc09dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*
depends:
supported:      yes
vermagic:       2.6.27.19-5-pae SMP mod_unload modversions 586
parm:           usbfs_snoop:true to log all usbfs traffic (bool)
parm:           blinkenlights:true to cycle leds on hubs (bool)
parm:           old_scheme_first:start with the old device initialization scheme (bool)
parm:           use_both_schemes:try the other device initialization scheme if the first one fails (bool)
parm:           autosuspend:default autosuspend delay (int)

To identify some modules that will be included in a ram disk, check the kernel configuration file.

# cat /etc/sysconfig/kernel | grep INITRD_MODULES
INITRD_MODULES="processor thermal mptspi ata_piix ata_generic piix ide_pci_generic fan jbd ext3 edd"

To see all modules included in your current ram disk, extract the ram disk and list the modules.

sle11:~ # mkdir -p /boot/tmp
sle11:~ # cd /boot/tmp
sle11:/boot/tmp # zcat /boot/initrd | cpio -id
24100 blocks
sle11:/boot/tmp # find /boot/tmp/lib/modules | grep 'ko$'
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/lib/crc-t10dif.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/fs/ext3/ext3.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/fs/mbcache.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/fs/jbd/jbd.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/firmware/edd.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/ide/pci/ide-pci-generic.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/ide/pci/piix.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/ide/ide-core.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/ata/ata_generic.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/ata/ata_piix.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/ata/libata.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/message/fusion/mptspi.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/message/fusion/mptscsih.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/message/fusion/mptbase.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/scsi/sd_mod.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/scsi/scsi_transport_spi.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/scsi/scsi_mod.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/acpi/fan.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/acpi/dock.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/acpi/thermal.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/acpi/processor.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/thermal/thermal_sys.ko
/boot/tmp/lib/modules/2.6.27.19-5-pae/kernel/drivers/hwmon/hwmon.ko
sle11:~ # cd /root
sle11:~ # rm -rf /boot/tmp

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.