Red Hat Knowledgebase

The /etc/modules.conf file should only be modified if the system requires a driver that will be loaded during the boot sequence. The following article will provide examples on how to modify the /etc/modules.conf file for a Network Card module (driver) and a SCSI Card module (driver).

Modify /etc/modules.conf file for a Network Card module:

The following is an example of an /etc/modules.conf file that has an outdated driver for the Intel/Pro 1000 Network card which uses the e1000 driver.

alias eth0 e1000
alias scsi_hostadapter aic7xxx
alias sound-slot-0 emu10k1
post-install sound-slot-0 /bin/aumix-minimal -f /etc/.aumixrc -L >/dev/null 2>&1 || :
pre-remove sound-slot-0 /bin/aumix-minimal -f /etc/.aumixrc -S >/dev/null 2>&1 || :
alias usb-controller usb-uhci

The new driver that needs to be used is called e1000_5043k1. Verify this at the command line by typing rmmod e1000 then modprobe e1000_5043k1. The system returns a prompt after each command and the output of lsmod indicates that the module is loaded and being used. Modify the /etc/modules.conf file with an editor of choice:

alias eth0 e1000_5043k1
alias scsi_hostadapter aic7xxx
alias sound-slot-0 emu10k1
post-install sound-slot-0 /bin/aumix-minimal -f /etc/.aumixrc -L >/dev/null 2>&1 || :
pre-remove sound-slot-0 /bin/aumix-minimal -f /etc/.aumixrc -S >/dev/null 2>&1 || :
alias usb-controller usb-uhci

After making this modification and saving the file, the initrd image does not need to be rebuilt. This change should take effect the next time the system boots.

Modify /etc/modules.conf file for a SCSI Card module:

The following is an example of an /etc/modules.conf file that has an outdated driver for the LSI Logic Megaraid card that uses the megaraid driver.

alias parport_lowlevel parport_pc
alias eth0 e1000
alias scsi_hostadapter aic79xx
alias scsi_hostadapter1 megaraid
alias eth1 eepro100
alias usb-controller usb-ohci
alias scsi_hostadapter2 qla2300     

The new driver that needs to be used is called megaraid_2002. Modify the /etc/modules.conf file with an editor of choice:

alias parport_lowlevel parport_pc
alias eth0 e1000
alias scsi_hostadapter aic79xx
alias scsi_hostadapter1 megaraid_2002
alias eth1 eepro100
alias usb-controller usb-ohci
alias scsi_hostadapter2 qla2300

After making this modification and saving the file, initrd image needs to be rebuilt in order for the change to be recognized during the boot sequence.

WARNING: Make sure the initrd image is built against the correct kernel (the kernel the system is using). We recommend that a back-up copy on the initrd image is made first, before replacing the existing initrd image with the new one.

The -f option will force or overwrite the existing initrd image file.

cp /boot/initrd-2.4.9-e.27smp.img /boot/initrd-2.4.9-e.27smp.img.bak
mkinitrd -f -v /boot/initrd-2.4.9-e.27smp.img 2.4.9-e.27smp

After this is complete, the system will need to be rebooted to the kernel that the initrd image was rebuilt for (in order for the changes to take effect). Once the system has been rebooted to the kernel with the new initrd image, the system should be using the new module. Verify this by viewing the output from lsmod command. Output should be similar to the following:

# lsmod
megaraid_2002          40128   7
scsi_mod              123884   4  [qla2300 megaraid_2002 aic79xx sd_mod]