Building a kernel with the tape device driver

6.18 LPAR mode z/VM guest

Control the build options for the tape device driver through the kernel configuration menu.

Kernel builders: This information is intended for those who want to build their own kernel. Be aware that both compiling your own kernel or recompiling an existing distribution usually means that you have to maintain your kernel yourself.

The tape device driver is available as a base component with supplementary components for particular hardware.

Figure 1 summarizes the kernel configuration menu options that are relevant to the tape device driver:

Figure 1. Tape kernel configuration menu options

 Device Drivers --->
       ...
    Character devices --->
       ...
       S/390 tape device support                          (CONFIG_S390_TAPE)  
          --- S/390 tape hardware support (depends on S390_TAPE) ---
          Support for 3480/3490 tape hardware             (CONFIG_S390_TAPE_34XX)
          Support for 3590 tape hardware                  (CONFIG_S390_TAPE_3590)

CONFIG_S390_TAPE: This option is required if you want to work with channel-attached tape devices. It can be compiled into the kernel or as a separate module, tape.
CONFIG_S390_TAPE_34XX: This option can be compiled into the kernel or as a separate module, tape_34xx.
CONFIG_S390_TAPE_3590: This option can be compiled into the kernel or as a separate module, tape_3590.