Application Binary Interface (ABI) Incompatibility with MLNX_EN Kernel Modules
This section is relevant for RedHat and SLES distributions only.
MLNX_EN package for RedHat comes with RPMs that support KMP (weak-modules), meaning that when a new errata kernel is installed, compatibility links will be created under the weak-updates directory for the new kernel. Those links allow using the existing MLNX_EN kernel modules without the need for recompilation. However, at times, the ABI of the new kernel may not be compatible with the MLNX_EN modules, which will prevent loading them. In this case, the MLNX_EN modules must be rebuilt against the new kernel.
When MLNX_EN modules are not compatible with a new kernel from a new OS or errata kernel, no links will be created under the weak-updates directory for the new kernel, causing the driver load to fail. Checking for the existence of needed module links under weak-updates directory can be done by reloading the MLNX_EN modules. If one or more modules are missing, the driver reload will fail with an error message.
Example:
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# /etc/init.d/mlnx-en.d restart
Unloading HCA driver: [ OK ]
Loading HCA driver and Access Layer: [ OK ]
Module rdma_cm belong to kernel which is not a part of MLNX[FAILED]kipping...
Loading rdma_ucm [FAILED]
********************************************************************************
Resolving ABI Incompatibility with MLNX_EN Modules
In order to fix ABI incompatibility with MLNX_EN modules, the modules should be recompiled against the new kernel, using the mlnx_add_kernel_support.sh script, available in MLNX_EN installation image.
There are two ways to recompile the MLNX_EN modules:
Local recompilation and installation on one server.
Run the install command to recompile the kernel modules and reinstall the whole MLNX_EN on the server. Mount MLNX_EN ISO image or extract the TGZ file:# cd <MLNX_EN dir> # ./install --skip-distro-check --add-kernel-support --kmp --force
Notes:
- The --kmp flag will enable rebuilding RPMs with KMP (weak-updates) support for the new kernel. Therefore, in the next OS/kernel update, the same modules can be used with the new kernel (assuming that the ABI compatibility was not broken again).
- The command above will rebuild only the kernel RPMs (using mlnx_add_kernel_support.sh), and will save the resulting MLNX_EN package under /tmp and start installing it automatically. This package can be used for installation on other servers using regular install command or yum.Preparing a new image on one server and deploying it on the cluster.
Use the mlnx_add_kernel_support.sh script directly only to rebuild the kernel RPMs (without running any installations) on one server. Mount MLNX_EN ISO image or extract the TGZ file:
# cd <MLNX_EN dir> # ./mlnx_add_kernel_support.sh -m $PWD --kmp -y
Note: This command will save the resulting MLNX_EN package under /tmp.
Example:
******************************************************************************** # cd /tmp/MLNX_EN_LINUX-
5.2-2.2.0.0-DB-rhel7.8-x86_64 # ./mlnx_add_kernel_support.sh -m $PWD --kmp -y Note: This program will create mlnx-en TGZforrhel7.8under /tmp directory. See log file /tmp/mlnx_iso.28286_logs/mlnx_ofed_iso.28286.log Checkingifall needed packages are installed... Building mlnx-en RPMS . Please wait... Creating metadata-rpmsfor3.10.0-1127.el7.x86_64 ... WARNING: If you are going to configurethispackageas a repository, then please note WARNING: that it contains unsigned rpms, therefore, you need to disable the gpgcheck WARNING: by setting'gpgcheck=0'in the repository conf file. Created /tmp/mlnx-en-5.3-1.0.0.1-rhel7.8-x86_64-ext.tgz ********************************************************************************Install the newly created MLNX_EN package on the cluster:
Option 1: Copy the package to the servers and install it using the install script.
Option 2: Deploy the MLNX_EN package using YUM (for YUM installation instructions, refer to Installing MLNX_EN Using YUM section):
i. Extract the resulting MLNX_EN image and copy it to a shared NFS location.
ii. Create a YUM repository configuration.
iii. Install the new MLNX_EN kernel RPMs on the servers: # yum update Example:******************************************************************************** ... ... ======================================================================================================================== Package Arch Version Repository Size ======================================================================================================================== Updating: epel-release noarch
7-7epel14k kmod-iser x86_641.8.0-OFED.3.3.1.0.0.1.gf583963.201606210906.rhel7u1 mlnx_ofed35k kmod-isert x86_641.0-OFED.3.3.1.0.0.1.gf583963.201606210906.rhel7u1 mlnx_ofed32k kmod-kernel-mft-mlnx x86_644.4.0-1.201606210906.rhel7u1 mlnx_ofed10k kmod-knem-mlnx x86_641.1.2.90mlnx1-OFED.3.3.0.0.1.0.3.1.ga04469b.201606210906.rhel7u1 mlnx_ofed22k kmod-mlnx-ofa_kernel x86_643.3-OFED.3.3.1.0.0.1.gf583963.201606210906.rhel7u1 mlnx_ofed1.4M kmod-srp x86_641.6.0-OFED.3.3.1.0.0.1.gf583963.201606210906.rhel7u1 mlnx_ofed39k Transaction Summary ======================================================================================================================== Upgrade7Packages ... ... ********************************************************************************Note: The MLNX_EN user-space packages will not change; only the kernel RPMs will be updated. However, “YUM update” can also update other inbox packages (not related to OFED). In order to install the MLNX_EN kernel RPMs only, make sure to run:
# yum install mlnx-en-kernel-only
Note: mlnx-en-kernel-only is a metadata RPM that requires the MLNX_EN kernel RPMs only.
Verify that the driver can be reloaded:
# /etc/init.d/mlnx-en.d restart