User guide

Chapter 3 - Software Installation

3.15 Linux Driver for Multi-Tech ISI Server Cards

(for PCI and ISA busses)

This is the standard installation procedure for Linux and is applicable to all Linux operating systems of the

correct kernel level (2.0, 2.2, or 2.4). The next major section of this manual,

RedHat Linux 6.2/7.0 RPM

Drivers for ISI Server Cards (PCI bus only)

, is an alternative installation procedure applicable only to RedHat

Linux 6.2 and 7.0 using the RedHat Package Management System (RPM). Note that RedHat Linux versions

6.2 and 7.0 both use the Linux 2.2 kernel and the applicable ISI driver can be installed using this standard

installation procedure, as well.

3.15.1 LINUX: Pre-Installation Issues

When unpacking the Linux driver, there are two choices, one driver for the 2.0.x kernel (at this writing, it is

filename L300_20X.TAR), and one driver that works for both the 2.2.x kernel and the 2.4.x kernel (at this

writing, it is filename L305_22X_24X.TAR). Be absolutely positive about which kernel you have! Note that

updated driver files may be issued from time to time.

The 'make' utility, GNU C compiler, and the kernel sources need to be installed on your system. If any of these

are missing, the compilation will fail. Most later Linux OSs install these elements automatically .

3.15.2 LINUX: Copying the Driver from the Media

The Linux drivers (for 2.0 and 2.2/2.4 kernels) are shipped in compressed (‘tarred’) form on a CD-ROM

formatted with the FAT file system. In some cases, users may download Linux ISI drivers from the MultiTech

web site onto diskette (in ext2 format). We present instructions for both situations below.

3.15.3 LINUX: Copying & Untarring the Driver from CD-ROM

1. Mount the CD-ROM using this command: mount /mnt/cdrom

2. Change directory: cd /mnt/cdrom

3. List the files on the CD-ROM and locate the directory for the kernel in use (2.0 or 2.2/2.4), using this

command: ls

4. Untar the appropriate Linux driver using this command: > tar vxf

{filename}

/isi

Note: At this writing, the filename will be either L300_20X.tar (for 2.0 kernel) or L305_22X_24X.TAR (for 2.2/

2.4 kernel).

3.15.4 LINUX: Copying & untarring the driver from a floppy

The ISI driver

.tar

file can be copied from a DOS formatted floppy using the 'mcopy' command if the 'mtools'

have been installed. Issue 'mcopy a:isilinux.tar <destination folder>' to copy the isilinux.tar ( or current driver

name) file to the destination folder. As an alternative, the floppy can be manually mounted and the file copied

to the required destination folder.

Note: To read from a DOS formatted floppy, a kernel with support for the FAT file system (either statically

linked in the kernel or as modules) is required.