[Haifux] Injecting a 32-bit module into a 64-bit kernel?!

[Eli Billauer]

Hello,


First and foremost: I have a workaround for my problem. I'm asking this 
for the sake of elegance, and possibly for patching an existing package 
(see http://linmodems.technion.ac.il/packages/smartlink/)


The problem is running a winmodem (for use as a fax) with precompiled 
binaries on a 64-bit kernel. Specifically, getting the slamr module 
injected into the kernel, which is a bundle of a 32-bit precompiled .o 
elf and a locally compiled wrapper.


When compiling the kernel module under a 64-bit machine (say FC12 for 
x86_64), the wrapper code is compiled as 64 bit with the -m32 flag, but 
then ld complains that it can't mingle a 32-bit elf with a 64-bit elf. 
Which sounds like a good excuse.


So I wondered if I could compile it all as 32 bit, and then somehow get 
the 64-bit kernel to accept this alien module?


My immediate thought was that a free software community won't stretch 
far to solve a problem which is only relevant when injecting non-free 
software into the kernel. But maybe...


In case you wondered, my planned workaround is to let my old, 32-bit 
Redhat 7.3, which will run as a virtual machine, do the faxing for me. I 
could also buy an external modem. I'm tackling this now because I expect 
similar problems to arise in the future. Running 64 bits is an educating 
experience, to put it gently.


   Eli

-- 
Web: http://www.billauer.co.il