2.2. Kernel

2.2.1. Preface

Please read the Kernel-HOWTO from TLDP to get more information about the compilation process. Thomas Hertweck has written another useful Linux-Kernel-HOWTO (but it is only available in German and Italian). Check the Linux/IrDA Project or the Linux/IrDA mailing list archives for latest patches.

You'll find the Linux/IrDA Kernel code in:

/usr/src/linux/net/irda (protocol stuff)

/usr/src/linux/drivers/net/irda (device drivers)

/usr/src/linux/include/net/irda (header files)

2.2.2. General Parameters

Make sure you use kernel 2.6 sources. I recommend not to use any earlier kernel version, but this document will describe differences to the kernel 2.4 series in the appropriate places. If unsure about your kernel version try uname -r.

For current 2.6 kernels there are no patches necessary. In case there is a kernel patch from the Linux/IrDA project or other places to apply (for example for kernel 2.4), put it into the directory /usr/src or where else your kernel sources live and apply something like (replace patch-2_4.0-irdaXXX with the actual file name):
cd /usr/src tar xvzf patch-2_4.0-irdaXXX.tar.gz cd linux patch -p1 -l < ../patch-2_4.0-irdaXXX
For latest drivers experimental support has to be enabled CONFIG_EXPERIMENTAL, at least in kernel 2.4.

Enable sysctl in "General Setup" CONFIG_SYSCTL.

You should have proc file system support CONFIG_PROC_FS.

Also serial support for the SIR features CONFIG_SERIAL.

I am not sure whether there has to be printer support for using a printer with Linux/IrDA CONFIG_PRINTER. But I assume this feature is not necessary.

Networking support _must_ be enabled CONFIG_NET.

Make sure you have module support CONFIG_MODULES in your kernel! Test it e.g. with lsmod.

Also kerneld support CONFIG_KERNELD. But kmod (CONFIG_KMOD) also works. A monolithic kernel seems to work, too. But modules are highly recommended!

To use irdadump you probably have to set CONFIG_PACKET.

If you only apply the Linux/IrDA patch, you should not have to do a make clean, so that should save you some time. I suggest you do something like this:

For kernel 2.4 use: make dep && make all && make modules && make install && make modules_install. For kernel 2.6 use: make all && make install && make modules_install. If you get really strange errors, then try to rebuild from scratch after a make clean.

2.2.3. IrDA Specific Parameters

The following is from ../linux-2.4.3/Documentation/Configure.help (kernel 2.4) or ../linux-2.6.x/net/irda/Kconfig, ../linux-2.6.x/drivers/net/irda/Kconfig (kernel 2.6) with some modifications by me. Please consult the latest available kernel documentation for current information and new drivers.

2.2.3.1. IrDA subsystem support

CONFIG_IRDA Say Y here if you want to build support for the IrDA (TM) protocols. The Infrared Data Associations (tm) specifies standards for wireless infrared communication and is supported by most laptops and PDA's.

To use Linux support for the IrDA (tm) protocols, you will also need some user-space utilities like irattach . For more information, see the file Documentation/networking/irda.txt. You also want to read the InfraRed-HOWTO, available at TuxMobil .

This support is also available as a module called irda.o. If you want to compile it as a module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt.

IrDA Cache last LSAP

CONFIG_IRDA_CACHE_LAST_LSAP Say Y here if you want IrLMP to cache the last LSAP used. This makes sense since most frames will be sent/received on the same connection. Enabling this option will save a hash-lookup per frame.

If unsure, say Y.

IrDA Fast RR's

CONFIG_IRDA_FAST_RR Say Y here is you want IrLAP to send fast RR (Receive Ready) frames when acting as a primary station. This will make IrLAP send out a RR frame immediately when receiving a frame if its own transmit queue is currently empty. This will give a lot of speed improvement when receiving much data since the secondary station will not have to wait the max. turn around time before it is allowed to transmit the next time. If the transmit queue of the secondary is also empty the primary will back off waiting longer for sending out the RR frame until the timeout reaches the normal value. Enabling this option will make the IR-diode burn more power and thus reduce your battery life.

If unsure, say N.

IrDA Debug

CONFIG_IRDA_DEBUG Say Y here if you want the IrDA subsystem to write debug information to your syslog. You can change the debug level in /proc/sys/net/irda/debug

If unsure, say Y (since it makes it easier to find the bugs).

IrLAP Compression support

CONFIG_IRDA_COMPRESSION Compression is _not_ part of the IrDA(tm) protocol specification, but it's working great! Linux is the first to try out compression support at the IrLAP layer. This means that you will only benefit from compression if you are running a Linux <-> Linux configuration.

If you say Y here, you also need to say Y or M to a compression protocol below.

IrLAP Deflate Compression Protocol (EXPERIMENTAL)

CONFIG_IRDA_DEFLATE Say Y here if you want to build support for the Deflate compression protocol. The deflate compression (GZIP) is exactly the same as the one used by the PPP protocol.

If you want to compile this compression support as a module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. The module will be called irda_deflate.o.

IrLAN Protocol But currently the IrLAN protocol is no longer maintained by the Linux/IrDA core team.

CONFIG_IRLAN Say Y here if you want to build support for the IrLAN protocol. If you want to compile it as a module (irlan.o), say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. IrLAN emulates an Ethernet and makes it possible to put up a wireless LAN using infrared beams.

The IrLAN protocol can be used to talk with infrared access points like the HP NetbeamIR, or the ESI JetEye NET. You can also connect to another Linux machine running the IrLAN protocol for ad-hoc networking!

IrCOMM Protocol

CONFIG_IRCOMM Say Y here if you want to build support for the IrCOMM protocol. If you want to compile it as a module (you will get ircomm.o and ircomm-tty.o), say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. IrCOMM implements serial port emulation, and makes it possible to use all existing applications that understands TTY's with an infrared link. Thus you should be able to use application like PPP, minicom and others. Enabling this option will create two modules called ircomm and ircomm-tty.

2.2.3.2. Device Drivers

IrTTY IrDA Device Driver

CONFIG_IRTTY_SIR Say Y here if you want to build support for the IrTTY line discipline. If you want to compile it as a module (irtty.o), say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. IrTTY makes it possible to use Linux's own serial driver for all IrDA ports that are 16550 compatible. Most IrDA chips are 16550 compatible so you should probably say Y to this option. Using IrTTY will however limit the speed of the connection to 115200 bps (IrDA SIR mode)

If unsure, say Y.

IrPORT IrDA Device Driver

CONFIG_IRPORT_SIR Say Y here if you want to build support for the IrPORT IrDA device driver. If you want to compile it as a module (irport.o), say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. IrPORT can be used instead of IrTTY and sometimes this can be better. One example is if your IrDA port does not have echo-canceling, which will work OK with IrPORT since this driver is working in half-duplex mode only. You don't need to use irattach with IrPORT, but you just insert it the same way as FIR drivers (insmod irport io=0x3e8 irq=11). Notice that IrPORT is a SIR device driver which means that speed is limited to 115200 bps.

If unsure, say Y.

Winbond W83977AF IrDA Device Driver

CONFIG_WINBOND_FIR Say Y here if you want to build IrDA support for the Winbond W83977AF super-io chipset. This driver should be used for the IrDA chipset in the Corel NetWinder. The driver supports SIR, MIR and FIR (4Mbps) speeds.

If you want to compile it as a module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. The module will be called w83977af_ir.o.

NSC PC87108 IrDA Device Driver

CONFIG_NSC_FIR Say Y here if you want to build support for the NSC PC87108 and PC87338 IrDA chipsets. This driver supports SIR, MIR and FIR (4Mbps) speeds.

If you want to compile it as a module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. The module will be called nsc-ircc.o.

Toshiba Type-O IR Port Device Driver

CONFIG_TOSHIBA_FIR Say Y here if you want to build support for the Toshiba Type-O IR chipset. This chipset is used by the Toshiba Libretto 100CT, and many more laptops. If you want to compile it as a module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. The module will be called toshoboe.o.

SMC IrCC (Experimental)

CONFIG_SMC_IRCC_FIR Say Y here if you want to build support for the SMC Infrared Communications Controller. It is used in the Fujitsu Lifebook 635t and Sony PCG-505TX. If you want to compile it as a module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. The module will be called smc-ircc.o.

ALi M5123 FIR Controller Driver (Experimental)

CONFIG_ALI_FIR Say Y here if you want to build support for the ALi M5123 FIR Controller. The ALi M5123 FIR Controller is embedded in ALi M1543C, M1535, M1535D, M1535+, M1535D South Bridge. This driver supports SIR, MIR and FIR (4Mbps) speeds.

If you want to compile it as a module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. The module will be called ali-ircc.o.

Serial dongle support

CONFIG_DONGLE Say Y here if you have an infrared device that connects to your computer's serial port. These devices are called dongles. Then say Y or M to the driver for your particular dongle below.

Note that the answer to this question won't directly affect the kernel: saying N will just cause this configure script to skip all

ESI JetEye PC Dongle

CONFIG_ESI_DONGLE Say Y here if you want to build support for the Extended Systems JetEye PC dongle. If you want to compile it as a module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. The ESI dongle attaches to the normal 9-pin serial port connector, and can currently only be used by IrTTY. To activate support for ESI dongles you will have to start irattach like this: irattach -d esi.

ACTiSYS IR-220L and IR220L+ dongle

CONFIG_ACTISYS_DONGLE Say Y here if you want to build support for the ACTiSYS IR-220L and IR220L+ dongles. If you want to compile it as a module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. The ACTiSYS dongles attaches to the normal 9-pin serial port connector, and can currently only be used by IrTTY. To activate support for ACTiSYS dongles you will have to start irattach like this: irattach -d actisys or irattach -d actisys+.

Tekram IrMate 210B dongle

CONFIG_TEKRAM_DONGLE Say Y here if you want to build support for the Tekram IrMate 210B dongle. If you want to compile it as a module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. The Tekram dongle attaches to the normal 9-pin serial port connector, and can currently only be used by IrTTY. To activate support for Tekram dongles you will have to start irattach like this: irattach -d tekram.

Greenwich GIrBIL dongle

CONFIG_GIRBIL_DONGLE Say Y here if you want to build support for the Greenwich GIrBIL dongle. If you want to compile it as a module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. The Greenwich dongle attaches to the normal 9-pin serial port connector, and can currently only be used by IrTTY. To activate support for Greenwich dongles you will have to insert irattach -d girbil in the /etc/irda/drivers script.

Parallax Litelink dongle

CONFIG_LITELINK_DONGLE Say Y here if you want to build support for the Parallax Litelink dongle. If you want to compile it as a module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. The Parallax dongle attaches to the normal 9-pin serial port connector, and can currently only be used by IrTTY. To activate support for Parallax dongles you will have to start irattach like this irattach -d litelink.

Old Belkin dongle

CONFIG_OLD_BELKIN_DONGLE Say Y here if you want to build support for the Adaptec Airport 1000 and 2000 dongles. If you want to compile it as a module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. The module will be called old_belkin.o. Some information is contained in the comments at the top of drivers/net/irda/old_belkin.c.

2.2.4. Current Kernel Patches

Note: donauboe is a new version of toshoboe better FIR support and compatibility with Donauoboe chip from lib-irda. Note: the toshoboe drivers has been removed from the 2.6 kernel series.