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PlatformManager Package Manager

The Package Manager component of PlatformManager handles BSP (Board Support Package) RPM management and kernel module loading.

Overview​

Before platform exploration can occur, the correct kernel modules must be loaded. The Package Manager:

  1. Installs the BSP RPM if not already installed
  2. Unloads any existing BSP kernel modules
  3. Loads required kernel modules in the correct order
  4. Handles watchdog devices during kmod operations

BSP RPM Configuration​

The platform configuration specifies the BSP RPM:

{
  "bspKmodsRpmName": "vendor_bsp_kmods",
  "bspKmodsRpmVersion": "1.0.0",
  "requiredKmodsToLoad": ["module1", "module2"]
}
  • bspKmodsRpmName: Base name of the RPM package
  • bspKmodsRpmVersion: Required version
  • requiredKmodsToLoad: Modules to load before exploration (most modules are loaded automatically during device creation)

Kernel Modules Management​

BSP vendors provide a kmods.json file as part of BSP RPM that lists the kernel modules. This file is located at /usr/local/{vendor}_bsp/kmods.json and is used by PlatformManager to unload the kernel modules.

{
  "bspKmods": [
    "vendor_fpga_driver",
    "vendor_i2c_driver",
    "vendor_fan_driver"
  ],
  "sharedKmods": [
    "i2c_mux_pca954x",
    "at24"
  ]
}

When --reload_kmods=true or when the BSP version changes:

  1. Close any open watchdog devices (prevents system reset)
  2. Unload bspKmods in reverse order
  3. Unload sharedKmods in reverse order
  4. Run depmod to refresh module dependencies
  5. Load requiredKmodsToLoad modules
  6. Proceed with platform exploration (which loads modules on-demand)

Local RPM Testing​

For development, a local RPM can be tested by specifying its path:

platform_manager --local_rpm_path=/path/to/<vendor>_bsp_kmods-<version>.rpm

This bypasses normal RPM resolution and installs the specified file directly.

Note: The actual BSP RPM name usually contains version information like <vendor>_bsp_kmods-<kernel_version>.x86_64-<bsp_version>-1. For example, fboss_bsp_kmods-6.11.1-1.fboss.el9.x86_64-4.0.0-1.

Disabling Package Management​

Package management can be skipped for debugging purposes:

platform_manager --enable_pkg_mgmnt=false

This assumes all required modules are already loaded.