recompile kernel on esx server

[reorx]

Hi,

It's all in the subject line. I have been trying to figure out a way to get a storage device to hold my ISOs an back-up VMs. I want to mount it to the ESX server. However there is the nasty 2G limit I am running into the ESX server when using Samba for the mount type. I have no other choice except to use this type of a mount. So, research tells me that recompiling the kernel with some kind of "fix" will allow me to move past this roadblock. Okay, so my question is: has anyone done this? What were the results? Any suggestions?

Thanks, Jen

[Jae_Ellers]

Why must you use samba? What's wrong with NFS?

You will not patch and recompile the vmkernel.

[reorx]

Hi Jae,

NFS is not an option. What is the danger of recompiling the kernel? It shouldn't disturb anything (I think).

Jen

[oreeh · Accepted solution]

You simply can't recompile the VMkernel.

In theory you can recompile the Service Console kernel - provided you have the right build environment.

Anyway this wouldn't help, since the Service Console is limited to 800MB memory.

Why don't you use a VM, mount it there and export it via NFS to the kernel.

This is not a really good solution but is at least a workaround until you have a better storage.

[devzero]

try cifs module instead for remote mounts.

iirc, someone posted an updated version - just search the forum

[reorx]

Hi,

Love to search the posts, but with the upgrade cannot figure how to search anymore.... Hope I don't look too dumb but I have to admit I can't figure it out.

Jen

[oreeh]

Open http://communities.vmware.com/search.jsap or use the search function in the top right corner of the page.

[reorx]

Okay thanks everyone. I found the search _{_}. Also found the link to the modified (but working) icfs rpms. I am installing them now. For those of you who don't want to search for it and have been reading my post: http://89.105.41.70/sites/esx/default.aspx

Jen

[reorx]

Everything went well with the added kernel module. I did have to run these commands that I copied from the post where I found the http link:

prompt> rpm -i --nodeps kernel-module-cifs-2.4.21-37.0.2.ELvmnix-1.45-1.i386.rpm

prompt> cp -r /lib/modules/2.4.21-37.0.2.ELvmnix/kernel/fs/cifs /lib/modules/2.4.21-47.0.1.ELvmnix/kernel/fs

prompt> depmod -av 2.4.21-47.0.1.ELvmnix/

prompt> mount -t cifs storage_device /mount_point

the other samba rpm went in with no fiddling at all.

Very happy about this --Jen