Early image startup

[Gary Thomas <gary@mlbassoc.com>]

I have a Poky image which uses a number of kernel modules.  For
whatever reason, the raw image has not had the modules configured
(no /lib/modules/.../modules.dep)  This file is created by 'update-modules'
but that is run too late in the boot process.  The problem is that
other code, e.g. I'm using iptables via modules, requires the modules
be configured early and this fails.  If I reboot (after 'update-modules'
has run), everything is fine.

My system is PowerPC and I'm using ipk packaging.

Here's a snippet from my initial boot log:
   Please wait: booting...
   Starting udev
   Configuring network interfaces... udhcpc (v1.17.3) started
   Setting IP address 0.0.0.0 on eth0
   Sending discover...
   PHY: mdio@ff024520:01 - Link is Up - 1000/Full
   Sending discover...
     Sending select for 192.168.12.140...
   Lease of 192.168.12.140 obtained, lease time 600
   Setting IP address 192.168.12.140 on eth0
   Deleting routers
   Adding router 192.168.12.1
   Recreating /etc/resolv.conf
    Adding DNS server 192.168.12.1
   done.
   modprobe: can't open 'modules.dep': No such file or directory
   iptables v1.4.9: can't initialize iptables table `filter': iptables who? (do you need to insmod?)
   Perhaps iptables or your kernel needs to be upgraded.
   Starting DHCP server: .
   Fri Apr  8 12:29:00 UTC 2011
   Configuring update-modules.
   Configuring kernel-image-2.6.37.3.
   Configuring kernel-module-nf-conntrack.
   Configuring kernel-module-x-tables.
   Configuring kernel-module-ip-tables.
   Configuring kernel-module-nf-defrag-ipv4.
   Configuring kernel-module-nf-conntrack-ipv4.
   Configuring kernel-module-iptable-mangle.
   Configuring kernel-module-xt-state.
   Configuring kernel-module-nf-nat.
   Configuring kernel-module-nf-conntrack-tftp.
   Configuring kernel-module-nf-nat-tftp.
   Configuring kernel-module-ipt-masquerade.
   Configuring kernel-module-iptable-nat.
   Configuring kernel-module-iptable-filter.
   Configuring netkit-tftpd.
   Configuring kernel-module-xt-tcpudp.

So, what decides when these 'configuring' steps run?

Thanks

-- 
------------------------------------------------------------
Gary Thomas                 |  Consulting for the
MLB Associates              |    Embedded world
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