Larry Finger wrote:
On 12/07/2016 07:27 AM, L. A. Walsh wrote:
In looking at the latest version of Vbox, they mention that all of the rpm based distros can use dkms to keep their Vbox in sync with whatever kernel is installed -- *except*, opensuse, which doesn't have dkms.
I was wondering why opensuse stands out as not including this handy package for auto-rebuilding out-of-tree kernel modules as part of the distro?
If openSUSE (note spelling)
I did, but spelling != capitalization.
were to include DKMS capability, every user of out-of-tree modules would need the complete kernel development package. In fact, we would likely need to install those packages for every user, "just in case". Perhaps in an era when large disks are standard, that would not be serious. On the other hand, I prefer to keep the openSUSE installation as lean as possible. It already takes enough time to install.
Why would you install anything, "for everybody"? Is everybody asking for it?
If you are not using the standard kernel packages, then you can always install the RPM from Oracle. That has DKMS capability.
--- Oh? That's not what their webpage says: Note: Users of Fedora/Mandriva might want to install the dkms package (not available on openSUSE) to ensure that the VirtualBox host kernel modules (vboxdrv, vboxnetflt and vboxnetadp) are properly updated if the linux kernel version changes during the next kernel update. The webpage states the dkms packages are provided by by various distros except for opensuse. They don't say how one can keep host kernel modules up to date with each kernel version. When DKMS works, it recompiles an out-of-tree module for a newer kernel. If things have changed too much in the kernel, it won't work, but module call interfaces don't change with every kernel version.
Of course, the initial installation of that RPM will force you to install all of its prerequisites.
Installation of what RPM? DKMS? Wouldn't that only need to be done once?
I'm sure you have the capability to solve all the API changes that happen with new kernels, and the skill to apply the necessary patches.
If things change too much, vendors usually release a newer version. Their turn-around time is usually alot less than it takes for osuse to come out with a new distro. Opensuse isn't real good about updating older, still supported releases to be compatible with the latest "whatevers". Recently I asked about updates for rootCA's as the last one was updated over a year ago. Never did get an answer for that. When it comes to the kernel, expecing osuse to come out with a new vanilla kernel for my HW every kernel release is not something I would expect. I.e. the current system, already doesn't work for me. I boot from disk w/separate /usr and root. And I should wait for a kernel for 13.2 for such a config? Doesn't explain why opensuse has to be the only exception for rpm-distros. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-factory+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, e-mail: opensuse-factory+owner@opensuse.org