Questions about Network Adaptor Support

[SamK]

When I try to "make", I get the error  /lib/modules/2.6.33.3-tinycore/build - no such file or directory

I'd guess this would be taken care of by loading the linux-headers-2.6.33.3-tinycore extension.
...

Yes, that extension was loaded when building and a symlink was not used.
   

[JackBug]

OK, I've installed the linux-headers-2.6.33.3-tinycore extension and been able to successfully create a driver, 8712u.ko

Now, how do I install it and make it permanent after a reboot?

Regards.

PS.  Thank you for your help so far, SamK and Juanito.
I'm new to Tinycore and there is a lot to learn compared to the bigger Linux packages.

[Juanito]

Probably the best thing to do is to make an extension out of the driver.

If you have a look at the file listing for wireless-2.6.33.3-tinycore, you can see where to put your driver and the wiki section on making extensions should help in making the extension.

Note you can also gzip the module to save some space

[SamK]

OK, I've installed the linux-headers-2.6.33.3-tinycore extension and been able to successfully create a driver, 8712u.ko

Now, how do I install it and make it permanent after a reboot?

Regards.

PS.  Thank you for your help so far, SamK and Juanito.
I'm new to Tinycore and there is a lot to learn compared to the bigger Linux packages.

Probably the best thing to do is to make an extension out of the driver.

If you have a look at the file listing for wireless-2.6.33.3-tinycore, you can see where to put your driver and the wiki section on making extensions should help in making the extension.

Note you can also gzip the module to save some space

It is a concise description of what I did.

In a slightly more detailed form for a new user...

Reduce the Size of the Module
gzip -f rtl8712u.ko

Create a Private Extension
Install squashfs-tools-4.x.tcz from the repo  

Staying close to the description in the wiki...
Create /tmp/package/usr/local/lib/modules/2.6.33.3-tinycore/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtl8712u.ko.gz

Produce the extension
cd /tmp
mksquashfs  package   rtl8712u-2.6.33.3-tinycore.tcz

Optional Steps
Create a list of the files in the .tcz
cd /tmp/package
find usr -not -type d > rtl8712u-2.6.33.3-tinycore.tcz.list

Manually create a list of dependencies
Create a text file rtl8712u-2.6.33.3-tinycore.tcz.dep
Edit it to list the dependencies (none required)

Manually create an information file
Create a text file rtl8712u-2.6.33.3-tinycore.tcz.info
Edit it following the format of an existing info file in the repo

Start Extension at Boot-up  
Place rtl8712u-2.6.33.3-tinycore.tcz in /tce/optional

Add it to the list of apps started a boot-up using AppsAudit
AppsAudit->OnBoot->Maintenance
In the left-hand panel select rtl8712u-2.6.33.3-tinycore.tcz

Save the change
OnBoot->Exit OnBoot
  

[Juanito]

Produce the extension
cd /tmp
mksquashfs package rtl8712u-2.6.33.3-tinycore.tcz

..should maybe be:

Code: [Select]

# mksquashfs package/ rtl8712u-2.6.33.3-tinycore.tcz
Nevertheless, very good description of what to do 

[SamK]

Produce the extension
cd /tmp
mksquashfs package rtl8712u-2.6.33.3-tinycore.tcz

..should maybe be:

Code: [Select]

# mksquashfs package/ rtl8712u-2.6.33.3-tinycore.tcz
Nevertheless, very good description of what to do 

I defer to greater knowledge and experience.  The command is taken directly from the wiki, which is my primary source of information on this.  It does seem to work.

[JackBug]

Thanks Juanito and SamK. I am now up and running with the new driver.

I did do as Juanito suggested to make an extension by following the wiki, but was at a loss as how to load it at boot time.
SamK's step by step guide confirmed what I was doing was along the right path and his instruction to copy to /tce/options and use AppsAudit to load it boot time made it all a success.

Thanks again fellows.

Regards.   

[coreplayer2]

I must be really green because this explanation went clean over my head!!

Staying close to the description in the wiki...
Create /tmp/package/usr/local/lib/modules/2.6.33.3-tinycore/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtl8712u.ko.gz

possibly = make all the above directories one at a time then place the driver in the last one??


otherwise the remaining steps are easy to follow thanks

[Rich]

Hi coreplayer2

If you use  mkdir -p  you can do it all in one step.

Code: [Select]

mkdir -p /tmp/package/usr/local/lib/modules/2.6.33.3-tinycore/kernel/drivers/net/wireless

[coreplayer2]

wow I didn't know that!!  

thanks

pity I just made them all one at a time phew am worn out now!


I'm assuming this path is the intended destination for the driver making it a simple copy of the file to this location in the file system during loading?

[maro]

I'm assuming this path is the intended destination for the driver making it a simple copy of the file to this location in the file system during loading?

Well, the "intended" (final) directory (i.e. after the installation of the extensions) is '/usr/local/lib/modules/2.6.33.3-tinycore/kernel/drivers/net/wireless'. Due to the 'cd /tmp' and 'mksquashfs package ...' commands this directory will then be created in the root of the SquashFS (AKA: "squashfs-root") as '/usr/local/lib/...'.

If that is what you assumed then the answer is: YES!!

[coreplayer2]

Thanks to SamK, Rich and maro for the learning