Compiling ESXi 5 Network drivers

[vmware6666]

How do I compile network drivers for ESXi 5?  I have the Linux driver source that works fine with the 2.6 and 3 kernels.

I have an Atheros AR8131 network adapter on a headless workstation-come-server box.  Installing a different card is not an option.

Thanks.

[vmware6666]

*bump*

[peetz]

If you haven't done this already then please ask your question in the vm-help.com forums here:

http://www.vm-help.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=24

There you might get more feedback.

- Andreas

[akshunj]

I haven't seen anyone compile custom drivers for ESXi 5 yet. I made a couple of custom drivers for ESXi 3.5 and 4.1 following the instructions from the VM help forum, but I had to use 2.4 kernel sources. I'm not sure if this changed for ESXi 5. You might want to look at the open source documentation for ESXi 5, which should help point you in the right direction.

[peetz]

There are several community developed drivers for ESXi 5.0 already available. They have been posted to the vm-help.com forums.

So, please check there if you are looking for a specific driver and/or instructions on how to build your own.

[akshunj]

Good info. I haven't done any custom driver work since ESXi 3.5.