Users Guide

NOTE: The minimum Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Update 4 maintenance kernel version supported on Dell systems

with Intel 75xx and 65xx series processors and AMD 6000 series processors is 2.6.18-164.9.1.el5. This kernel version

is the minimum required version to support Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 on Dell PowerEdge M910, R910, R815, and

R810 systems.

Obtaining The DKMS Framework For Device Drivers

All Dell add-on device driver packages that are not on the Red Hat media use the Dynamic Kernel Module Support

(DKMS) framework. This framework allows the kernel modules to be dynamically built for each kernel on your system

and provides a mechanism for driver version control. The DKMS framework and the latest Dell device drivers can be

downloaded from dell.com/support.

For a list of add-on device drivers that are installed on your system, type dkms status in the command prompt.

Using Dell dkms Drivers After Kernel Upgrade

If the kernel is upgraded in a system where the dkms driver is installed, perform the following procedure after the kernel

upgrade, to ensure that the updated dkms driver is installed for the latest kernel.

• If the module version of the updated kernel is higher than the dkms driver version, then continue using the native

driver.

• If the module version in the updated kernel is lesser than the dkms driver version:

a. Use the dkms driver.

b. Create a file in /etc/depmod.d with the filename dkms_module_name.conf with the following entry:

override module_name kernel_version modules_directory.

For example, for the bnx2 driver, create a file bnx2.conf in /etc.depmod.d/, with the following entry:

override bnx2 2.6.18-x.el5 weak-updates.

c. Run the depmod -a command.

For more information on DKMS, see the DKMS main page on your system.

Updating Your System Packages Using Red Hat Network

Red Hat periodically releases software updates to fix bugs, address security issues, add new hardware support, and add

new features. You can download updated operating system packages and the latest kernel releases and updates by

using any of the following methods:

• Performing a manual download from the RHN service at rhn.redhat.com.

• Using the yum utility.

It is recommended that you use the RHN service to update your system software to the latest revisions before

you deploy your system.