[LU-1032] Add dkms support for kernel modules

• Type: Improvement
• Resolution: Fixed
• Priority: Blocker
• Fix Version/s: Lustre 2.6.0, Lustre 2.8.0, Lustre 2.10.0
• Labels: prz
• Assignee: Bruno Faccini (Inactive)
• Reporter: Guy Coates

Description

dkms is a cross distro mechanism for the building and maintenance of out-of-tree kernel modules.
(http://linux.dell.com/dkms/) The attached patch adds dkms support to the debian/ubuntu packaging infrastructure.

The current debian/ubuntu kernel module package uses module-assistant, which produces a deb which is tied to a specific kernel version, requiring the user to manually rebuild packages when the kernel is changed.

The dkms package allows modules for multiple kernel versions to be packaged together into a single deb. Once installed, the package contains triggers so that when a new kernel is installed for which no pre-built lustre modules exists, dkms will automatically build and install them. This reduces maintenance overhead on client machines.

dkms also works on redhat and sles; it should be possible to fold dkms support into the rpm build process.

Issue Links

• is duplicated by: LU-6393 dkms build of client modules requires zfs/spl libraries
• is related to: LU-5465 Enhancements to Lustre DKMS RPM
• is related to: LU-2391 warning messages for missing symbols when lustre-modules::osd_zfs.ko installed on a system without zfs-modules installed