Re: 2.6.27.1: install conflict about /lib/firmware

[Michael Tokarev <mjt@tls.msk.ru>]

Harald Dunkel wrote:
> Hi folks,
> 
> Seems that there is an installation conflict about
> /lib/firmware/ess/maestro3_assp_kernel.fw (and probably
> others) between 2.6.27 and 2.6.27.1. Using dpkg I get

Since 2.6.27, firmware binaries are placed into /lib/firmware
directory.  The reason is that firmware is not kernel-dependent.
Or, rather, the firmware stored here is not kernel-dependent
(when it is, it's stored in /lib/modules/$version/).

[]
> Probably other package managers get a similar problem.

A package build script should be updated to create separate
package with the firmware, and to add proper reguiriments
and/or dependencies.

> Wouldn't it be more consistent to put the firmware files in a
> kernel specific directory, e.g. in /lib/firmware/2.6.27.1 or
> /lib/modules/2.6.27.1/firmware ?

No, because the firmware is not kernel-dependent, but device-dependent.
It were deliberate choice.

/mjt