Easy method to test kernel modules (drivers)

This document (7015696) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Service Pack 3 (SLES 11 SP3)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Service Pack 2 (SLES 11 SP2)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Service Pack 1 (SLES 11 SP1)

Situation

Need to test a newer kernel module (driver) to see if it will work.

Resolution

Create the /lib/modules/{kernelversion}/updates directory. Where {kernelversion} is output of "uname -r". Drivers in the "updates" directory have precedence.
Copy {driver}.ko to /lib/modules/{kernelversion}/updates/ Where {driver} is the name of the driver.
Run “depmod -a” to resolve dependencies.
Run "modprobe {driver}" to load the driver.
Run "lsmod | grep {driver}" This checks to make sure the driver got loaded
Run "modinfo {driver}" Use this command to confirm that the driver loaded from your /lib/modules/{kernelversion}/update directory

Example using e1000e Intel Network driver:

localhost:/lib/modules # mkdir /lib/modules/`uname -r`/updates
localhost:/lib/modules # cp -v /tmp/e1000e.ko /lib/modules/`uname -r`/updates
`/tmp/e1000e.ko' -> `/lib/modules/3.0.101-0.35.1.7228.2.PTF-default/updates/e1000e.ko'
localhost:/lib/modules # depmod -a
localhost:/lib/modules # modprobe e1000e
localhost:/lib/modules # lsmod | grep e1000e
e1000e                258556 0
localhost:/lib/modules # modinfo e1000e | head -5
filename:       /lib/modules/3.0.101-0.35.1.7228.2.PTF-default/updates/e1000e.ko
version:        2.1.4-k
license:        GPL
description:    Intel(R) PRO/1000 Network Driver
author:         Intel Corporation, <linux.nics@intel.com>

Additional Information

To remove the tested driver:

Run "rmmod {driver}" to unload the driver.
Delete the driver from /lib/modules/{kernelversion}/updates.
Run "depmod -a" to reset the path to the in-kernel driver.
Run "modprobe {driver}" to reload the in-kernel driver.

Production systems should use an updated kernel that includes the needed drivers or a Kernel Module Package (KMP) that has the needed drivers.

Disclaimer

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