2009-01-25 17:11
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ntfs-delete-zero-user-page-line.patch (996 bytes) |
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Reported upstream: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=481495 |
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The centosplus kernel 5.3 ( kernel-2.6.18-128.el5.centos.ayplus ) was tested by a few QA members. wolfy reported NTFS did not work. I confirmed the problem. I consulted Alan Bartlett (my kernel buddy and a C expert). He also agrees that removing the defending lines containing zero_user_page is the logical fix. Given the fact the NTFS module compiled with the "fix" is not functioning properly, I would say the code is broken somewhere else. The best course of action will be to build the cplus kernel with NTFS disabled. No point including a module that does not work. :-( |
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The upstream bugzilla was closed as "won't fix". This means a forever good-bye to the NTFS module included in the CentOS kernel. Users who need NTFS should all be using ntfs-3g by following the instructions at: http://wiki.centos.org/TipsAndTricks/NTFS |
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With the closure of the upstream bugzilla, this report may now be closed. No further plan to fix the code. |
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A fix for this was suggested on the upstream provider bugzilla at https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=481495 soon after this case was closed. They say they're not supporting NTFS (in fact they do not enable it in their code), but the patch seems to work for who tested it. I'm waiting for 5.3 centosplus to be released to do my tests. I think this fix could be included in centosplus kernel just like it includes (at least a) fix for the reiserfs code. The patch can be foud at https://bugzilla.redhat.com/attachment.cgi?id=334280 |
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I (Akemi Yagi) am the person who submitted that patch based on Eric's suggestion. The suggested fix was a good attempt by an upstream developer but it was provided "privately" and will not be further looked into by the upstream vendor as you can see in his comment. Although I did a brief test on the patch, before it can be incorporated into the centosplus kernel, more extensive testing is required. I don't think this is worth the effort because we can fairly easily install ntfs-3g which is well-maintained and is regarded superior to the NTFS module performance wise. Another solution for people who would rather not install ntfs-3g is to provide a kmod package for the kernel NTFS module. However, building this package is a bit problematic at this moment (it builds fine but does not install). Alan Bartlett who is an expert in kernel module building is now looking into this issue. If we come up with a workable solution, I will update the info here. |
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As promised, here is an update. As predicted, Alan Bartlett has done it. He's managed to build ntfs.ko that actually installs. I think this one can be offered as an alternative solution for those who would rather not go for ntfs-3g. More details will follow. |
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More details now. Alan has made the kmod-ntfs package available from the elrepo repository ( http://elrepo.org ). All kmod packages in this repository are independent of the kernel version, meaning they survive kernel updates and there is no need for rebuilding/reinstallation. So, if you need the NTFS support today (but would rather not use ntfs-3g), all you have to do is to set up the elrepo repository and issue a command: yum --enablerepo=elrepo install kmod-ntfs |
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I believe this ticket can be closed (resolved) now. Should there be a new development upstream (which I doubt, but who knows), this ticket could be reopened, or a new one can be started. |
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thanks Akemi :) |
- Anonymous
