How To Install DKMS on Rocky Linux 9

Rocky Linux 9, a community-driven enterprise operating system, offers stability and reliability for server environments. To ensure smooth operation and compatibility of kernel modules, it’s essential to install DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support). DKMS simplifies the management of kernel modules by automatically rebuilding them whenever a new kernel version is installed. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of installing DKMS on Rocky Linux 9, enabling you to maintain your system’s performance and stability effortlessly.

Understanding DKMS

DKMS, short for Dynamic Kernel Module Support, is a powerful tool that streamlines the management of kernel modules in Linux systems. It provides a framework for building and installing kernel modules independently of the kernel version. With DKMS, you can ensure that your custom kernel modules are automatically rebuilt and installed whenever a new kernel update is applied. This eliminates the need for manual intervention and guarantees that your modules remain compatible across kernel upgrades. DKMS is particularly useful for drivers and modules that are not included in the mainline kernel, such as proprietary graphics drivers or specialized hardware support.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation of DKMS on Rocky Linux 9, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:

• A running instance of Rocky Linux 9
• Root access or sudo privileges
• A stable internet connection to download packages

It’s also recommended to update your system packages to their latest versions before beginning the installation process. This ensures compatibility and reduces the chances of encountering conflicts.

Step 1: Update System Packages

To ensure a smooth installation process, it’s crucial to update your Rocky Linux 9 system packages to their latest versions. Open a terminal and run the following command with sudo privileges:

sudo dnf update -y

This command will refresh the package repositories and upgrade any outdated packages to their latest stable releases. The -y flag automatically answers “yes” to any prompts, streamlining the update process.

Step 2: Enable EPEL Repository

The EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux) repository provides additional packages that are not included in the default Rocky Linux repositories. Enabling EPEL grants access to a wider range of software options. To enable the EPEL repository, execute the following command:

sudo dnf install epel-release

This command will download and install the necessary package to enable the EPEL repository on your Rocky Linux 9 system. Once the installation is complete, you’ll have access to an expanded selection of packages.

Step 3: Install Required Dependencies

Before installing DKMS, you need to ensure that certain dependencies are present on your system. These dependencies include kernel development headers, build tools, and Perl. To install the required dependencies, run the following command:

sudo dnf install kernel-devel kernel-headers gcc make perl

This command will fetch and install the necessary packages, including the kernel development headers specific to your currently running kernel version, as well as the GCC compiler, Make build tool, and Perl programming language.

Step 4: Install DKMS

With the dependencies in place, you can now proceed to install DKMS on your Rocky Linux 9 system. Execute the following command to install DKMS:

sudo dnf install dkms

The DNF package manager will download the DKMS package and its dependencies, and then install them on your system. Once the installation is complete, you can verify the successful installation by running:

dkms --version

This command will display the installed version of DKMS, confirming that it has been properly set up on your Rocky Linux 9 system.

Step 5: Configure DKMS

DKMS utilizes configuration files to manage the building and installation of kernel modules. By default, DKMS looks for module configuration files in the /etc/dkms directory. Each module should have its own subdirectory containing a dkms.conf file that specifies the module’s build and installation instructions.

To configure DKMS for a specific module, follow these steps:

1. Create a directory for your module under /etc/dkms. For example, if your module is named “mymodule“, create a directory called /etc/dkms/mymodule.
2. Inside the module directory, create a file named dkms.conf.
3. Open the dkms.conf file in a text editor and specify the necessary build and installation instructions for your module. Here’s an example configuration:

PACKAGE_NAME="mymodule"
PACKAGE_VERSION="1.0"
MAKE="make -C src/"
CLEAN="make -C src/ clean"
BUILT_MODULE_NAME[0]="mymodule"
DEST_MODULE_LOCATION[0]="/kernel/drivers/misc"
AUTOINSTALL="yes"

Adjust the configuration according to your module’s specific requirements, such as the package name, version, build commands, and installation location.

Save the dkms.conf file and exit the text editor.

With the configuration file in place, DKMS will automatically build and install the module whenever a new kernel version is installed on your system.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While installing DKMS on Rocky Linux 9 is generally a straightforward process, you may encounter some common issues. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

• Missing Dependencies: If you encounter errors related to missing dependencies during the DKMS installation, ensure that you have installed all the required packages mentioned in Step 3. Double-check that you have the necessary development tools and kernel headers installed.
• Module Build Failures: If DKMS fails to build a module, review the module’s build log for specific error messages. Common causes include incompatible module code, missing header files, or incorrect configuration settings. Consult the module’s documentation or seek assistance from the module’s maintainer.
• Kernel Version Mismatch: DKMS relies on the kernel headers and development packages matching the currently running kernel version. If you encounter issues related to kernel version mismatch, ensure that you have the correct kernel headers installed for your specific kernel version.

If you continue to face difficulties, consider seeking support from the Rocky Linux community forums or reaching out to the DKMS maintainers for further assistance.

Testing the Installation

To verify that DKMS is functioning correctly on your Rocky Linux 9 system, you can check the status of installed modules using the following command:

dkms status

This command will display a list of modules managed by DKMS, along with their version numbers and installation status. Ensure that the modules you configured in Step 5 are listed and show a status of “installed.”

Additionally, you can verify that the installed modules are loaded and functioning correctly by using module-specific commands or monitoring system logs for any related errors or warnings.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed DKMS. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support) on your Rocky Linux 9 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official DKMS website.