rockylinux install dkms

3 min read 18-09-2024

If you're a Rocky Linux user, you might find yourself needing the Dynamic Kernel Module Support (DKMS) to manage your kernel modules. In this article, we’ll go through the process of installing DKMS on Rocky Linux step-by-step, while incorporating insights and answers gathered from Stack Overflow.

What is DKMS?

DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support) is a framework that allows kernel modules to be dynamically built and installed. This is particularly useful when you upgrade your kernel, as DKMS automatically recompiles and reinstalls the necessary modules for the new kernel, saving you time and potential frustration.

Why Use DKMS?

Using DKMS provides several advantages:

Automatic Rebuilding: Automatically rebuilds kernel modules when the kernel is updated.
Easier Module Management: Makes it easier to manage third-party kernel modules.
Compatibility: Provides better compatibility with various kernel versions.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation of DKMS on Rocky Linux, ensure you have:

A Rocky Linux system (version 8 or later recommended).
Root or sudo access.

Step-by-Step Installation of DKMS

Step 1: Update Your System

It’s always a good practice to start with an updated system. Open your terminal and execute:

sudo dnf update -y

Step 2: Install DKMS

To install DKMS on your Rocky Linux system, run the following command:

sudo dnf install dkms -y

Step 3: Verify Installation

After installation, you can verify that DKMS is successfully installed by running:

dkms status

If DKMS is installed correctly, you should see output similar to the following (it might be empty if no modules are registered):

<module-name> <version> <kernel-version> [built] [added]

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes during installation or usage, you might encounter issues. Here are some common questions and answers based on Stack Overflow discussions:

Q1: "I get an error stating 'dkms command not found' after installation. What should I do?"

A1: This usually indicates that the installation didn't succeed or the DKMS package is not installed correctly. Re-run the installation command, and ensure there are no errors in the output. You can also check if the DKMS binary is in your PATH:

which dkms

If it returns nothing, it suggests DKMS is not installed correctly.

Q2: "How can I manually add a module to DKMS?"

A2: To add a module manually, you would typically follow these steps:

Create a directory for your module in /usr/src/. For instance, if your module is called example:
```
sudo mkdir -p /usr/src/example-1.0
```
Copy your module source files into this directory.
Create a dkms.conf file in that directory with the necessary configurations.
Add the module to DKMS:
```
sudo dkms add -m example -v 1.0
```
Build the module:
```
sudo dkms build -m example -v 1.0
```
Install the module:
```
sudo dkms install -m example -v 1.0
```

Additional Considerations

DKMS and Kernel Updates

Remember that after a kernel update, DKMS should automatically rebuild your modules. You can check the status of all your modules with:

dkms status

Uninstalling DKMS

If you ever need to uninstall DKMS, simply run:

sudo dnf remove dkms -y

Conclusion

DKMS is an essential tool for users who need to manage kernel modules efficiently on Rocky Linux. This guide has provided you with the steps to install DKMS, common troubleshooting questions, and practical examples to enhance your understanding. By following this guide, you should be well-equipped to utilize DKMS effectively on your system.

Remember, community support platforms like Stack Overflow can be invaluable when you run into trouble, as many users share solutions to common problems. Happy coding!

References

Feel free to dive into the comments section below if you have any questions or if you’d like to share your experiences with DKMS on Rocky Linux!