help with Freesco

[Soccerman]

just wondering how I'm supposed to install a module for my DFE-538TX 10/100 NIC in Freesco. why? well it doesn't include the command insmod (!). However in a .tgz file included with it it DOES include it (so I had to extract it to a directory in the bootup floppy).

I have the NIC's modules (8139too.o) in Mandrake 8.1, so I think I can use them in Freesco right?

anywho, so I got the two files (insmod and 8139too.o) in a directory on the floppy that I boot from.

ok so I boot up, go to the directory that those two files are at, and try an insmod 8139too.o command, but it gives me the error message insmod: permission denied!

which sucks! but I know that I can somehow get around this.. The kernel in the last version of freesco is something like 2.0 or so, which includes the rt8139.o module, however AFAIK I can compile a newer kernel (never done that before, but I have re-compiled an existing kernel) and use that should I have to 🙂

can anyone help?

 

[sml]

dude. FreeSCO? I have to deal with a few oddball SCO machines that kick around on the network; apparently Caldera is phasing out most SCO implementations and support and is focusing on Linux. Anyways, sounds like you've got some UNIX knowledge, I'd recommend an open source BSD variant. Once you use an OS with a centralized file versioning system and a ports tree, you'll never go back 🙂 www{free|open}bsd.org.

 

[neuralfx]

freeSCO .. the name is kind of misleading, its not SCO-UNIX, its Free cisCO .. its another "Router os" based off redhat .. its kind of an alternative to using Coyote ... i think he just reposted, using info from a previous post a few days ago ..
-neural

 

[jkersenbr]

NO NO NO, do not use a BSD variant. And, BTW, Freesco has nothing to do with SCO. It is linux based.

I have two routers. One runs PicoBSD (only because it is supported by my ISP for my fixed point wireless and none of the single disk Linuxes are) and one that runs Freesco. PicoBSD is insanely unstable. 2-3 crashes per day! Freesco is much superior and lower system requirments too.


Now, about modules:

1) Download the Freesco module file from any freesco FTP site. Don't try to use your Mandrake modules.
2) Compiling for Freesco is difficult. It has an oddball kernel and the easiest environment to compile for it is in Slackware 4.5
3) You don't need to worry about compiling anyway because the the alternate Realtek 8139 module is available in the Freesco module downloads. This chipset is supposed to be supported "out of the box" but sometimes can be picky and needs the alternate module.
4) You don't need to mess with insmod. This can all be done by copying files. Don't make it harder than it is. Freesco was made to be ridiculously easy.
5) Go here for a nice howto.

 

[sml]

ah, thanks for the clarification. something else to check out and try i suppose..although, i disagree with the recommendation against PicoBSD. I've used it and have never had a problem..

 

[jkersenbr]

It might be the crappy 802.11 card (Teletronics WL2400) and poor drivers for it that are giving my PicoBSD box fits. My ISP owns the card and provides the PicoBSD disk, so I don't have much choice unless I want to buy my own card and make it play in linux.

 

[Soccerman]

ya I thought I shouldn't have to mess with all the insmod stuff, that was my last ditch effort so to speak. at least, before crying for help 🙂

now, the 8139too won't work cause it's for Mandrake, right? I'm just wondering would I be able to compile the .c file that's with my 538tx NIC if I wanted? I'm relatively new to Linux, so I really want to know all the ways of going about the same thing.

I don't remember but I think I tried using the newer 8139 (the one in the modules .zip) and it didn't work. that could be becuase I had already 'setup' Freesco (configured IP addresses, stuff like that) but I'm doubting it.

Thx for the link, I'll check it out when I get home (don't have a clue when that'll be)!