Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS module compile fails

[Andrew Hill]

Hi,

After a recent Ubuntu update I can no longer install/compile the kernel modules for Workstation Pro, version 7.5.2,  build 23775571.

Help!!

Thanks 

Log:

2024-08-17T07:22:12.796Z In(05) host-6478 Log for VMware Workstation pid=6478 version=17.5.2 build=build-23775571 option=Release
2024-08-17T07:22:12.796Z In(05) host-6478 The host is x86_64.
2024-08-17T07:22:12.796Z In(05) host-6478 Host codepage=UTF-8 encoding=UTF-8
2024-08-17T07:22:12.796Z In(05) host-6478 Host is Linux 6.8.0-40-generic Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS Ubuntu 22.04 22.04.4 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish)
2024-08-17T07:22:12.796Z In(05) host-6478 Host offset from UTC is +01:00.
2024-08-17T07:22:12.795Z In(05) host-6478 DictionaryLoad: Cannot open file "/usr/lib/vmware/settings": No such file or directory.
2024-08-17T07:22:12.795Z In(05) host-6478 [msg.dictionary.load.openFailed] Cannot open file "/usr/lib/vmware/settings": No such file or directory.
2024-08-17T07:22:12.795Z In(05) host-6478 PREF Optional preferences file not found at /usr/lib/vmware/settings. Using default values.
2024-08-17T07:22:12.795Z In(05) host-6478 DictionaryLoad: Cannot open file "/home/ahill/.vmware/config": No such file or directory.
2024-08-17T07:22:12.795Z In(05) host-6478 [msg.dictionary.load.openFailed] Cannot open file "/home/ahill/.vmware/config": No such file or directory.
2024-08-17T07:22:12.795Z In(05) host-6478 PREF Optional preferences file not found at /home/ahill/.vmware/config. Using default values.
2024-08-17T07:22:12.903Z Wa(03) host-6478 Logging to /tmp/vmware-ahill/vmware-6478.log
2024-08-17T07:22:12.919Z In(05) host-6478 Obtaining info using the running kernel.
2024-08-17T07:22:12.919Z In(05) host-6478 Created new pathsHash.
2024-08-17T07:22:12.919Z In(05) host-6478 Setting header path for 6.8.0-40-generic to "/lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include".
2024-08-17T07:22:12.919Z In(05) host-6478 Validating path "/lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include" for kernel release "6.8.0-40-generic".
2024-08-17T07:22:12.919Z In(05) host-6478 Failed to find /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include/linux/version.h
2024-08-17T07:22:12.919Z In(05) host-6478 /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include/linux/version.h not found, looking for generated/uapi/linux/version.h instead.
2024-08-17T07:22:12.919Z In(05) host-6478 using /usr/bin/gcc-12 for preprocess check
2024-08-17T07:22:12.927Z In(05) host-6478 Preprocessed UTS_RELEASE, got value "6.8.0-40-generic".
2024-08-17T07:22:12.927Z In(05) host-6478 The header path "/lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include" for the kernel "6.8.0-40-generic" is valid.  Whoohoo!
2024-08-17T07:22:13.241Z In(05) host-6478 found symbol version file /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/Module.symvers
2024-08-17T07:22:13.241Z In(05) host-6478 Reading symbol versions from /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/Module.symvers.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.266Z In(05) host-6478 Read 28974 symbol versions
2024-08-17T07:22:13.266Z In(05) host-6478 Reading in info for the vmmon module.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.266Z In(05) host-6478 Reading in info for the vmnet module.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.266Z In(05) host-6478 Invoking modinfo on "vmmon".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.270Z In(05) host-6478 "/sbin/modinfo" exited with status 256.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.270Z In(05) host-6478 Invoking modinfo on "vmnet".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.273Z In(05) host-6478 "/sbin/modinfo" exited with status 256.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.290Z In(05) host-6478 to be installed: vmmon status: 0
2024-08-17T07:22:13.290Z In(05) host-6478 to be installed: vmnet status: 0
2024-08-17T07:22:13.317Z In(05) host-6478 Obtaining info using the running kernel.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.317Z In(05) host-6478 Setting header path for 6.8.0-40-generic to "/lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.317Z In(05) host-6478 Validating path "/lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include" for kernel release "6.8.0-40-generic".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.317Z In(05) host-6478 Failed to find /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include/linux/version.h
2024-08-17T07:22:13.317Z In(05) host-6478 /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include/linux/version.h not found, looking for generated/uapi/linux/version.h instead.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.317Z In(05) host-6478 using /usr/bin/gcc-12 for preprocess check
2024-08-17T07:22:13.325Z In(05) host-6478 Preprocessed UTS_RELEASE, got value "6.8.0-40-generic".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.325Z In(05) host-6478 The header path "/lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include" for the kernel "6.8.0-40-generic" is valid.  Whoohoo!
2024-08-17T07:22:13.643Z In(05) host-6478 found symbol version file /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/Module.symvers
2024-08-17T07:22:13.643Z In(05) host-6478 Reading symbol versions from /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/Module.symvers.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.664Z In(05) host-6478 Read 28974 symbol versions
2024-08-17T07:22:13.664Z In(05) host-6478 Kernel header path retrieved from FileEntry: /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include
2024-08-17T07:22:13.664Z In(05) host-6478 Update kernel header path to /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include
2024-08-17T07:22:13.664Z In(05) host-6478 Validating path "/lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include" for kernel release "6.8.0-40-generic".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.664Z In(05) host-6478 Failed to find /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include/linux/version.h
2024-08-17T07:22:13.664Z In(05) host-6478 /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include/linux/version.h not found, looking for generated/uapi/linux/version.h instead.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.664Z In(05) host-6478 using /usr/bin/gcc-12 for preprocess check
2024-08-17T07:22:13.672Z In(05) host-6478 Preprocessed UTS_RELEASE, got value "6.8.0-40-generic".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.672Z In(05) host-6478 The header path "/lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include" for the kernel "6.8.0-40-generic" is valid.  Whoohoo!
2024-08-17T07:22:13.674Z In(05) host-6478 Found compiler at "/usr/bin/gcc"
2024-08-17T07:22:13.675Z In(05) host-6478 Got gcc version "11".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.675Z In(05) host-6478 GCC major version 11 does not match Kernel GCC major version 12.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.675Z In(05) host-6478 Attempting to use a compiler at location "/usr/bin/gcc-12".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.677Z In(05) host-6478 Got gcc version "12".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.677Z In(05) host-6478 The GCC version matches the kernel GCC minor version like a glove.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.678Z In(05) host-6478 Got gcc version "12".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.678Z In(05) host-6478 The GCC version matches the kernel GCC minor version like a glove.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.679Z In(05) host-6478 Trying to find a suitable PBM set for kernel "6.8.0-40-generic".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.679Z In(05) host-6478 No matching PBM set was found for kernel "6.8.0-40-generic".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.679Z In(05) host-6478 The GCC version matches the kernel GCC minor version like a glove.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.679Z In(05) host-6478 Validating path "/lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include" for kernel release "6.8.0-40-generic".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.679Z In(05) host-6478 Failed to find /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include/linux/version.h
2024-08-17T07:22:13.679Z In(05) host-6478 /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include/linux/version.h not found, looking for generated/uapi/linux/version.h instead.
2024-08-17T07:22:13.679Z In(05) host-6478 using /usr/bin/gcc-12 for preprocess check
2024-08-17T07:22:13.688Z In(05) host-6478 Preprocessed UTS_RELEASE, got value "6.8.0-40-generic".
2024-08-17T07:22:13.688Z In(05) host-6478 The header path "/lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include" for the kernel "6.8.0-40-generic" is valid.  Whoohoo!
2024-08-17T07:22:18.238Z In(05) host-6478 The GCC version matches the kernel GCC minor version like a glove.
2024-08-17T07:22:18.238Z In(05) host-6478 Validating path "/lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include" for kernel release "6.8.0-40-generic".
2024-08-17T07:22:18.238Z In(05) host-6478 Failed to find /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include/linux/version.h
2024-08-17T07:22:18.239Z In(05) host-6478 /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include/linux/version.h not found, looking for generated/uapi/linux/version.h instead.
2024-08-17T07:22:18.239Z In(05) host-6478 using /usr/bin/gcc-12 for preprocess check
2024-08-17T07:22:18.246Z In(05) host-6478 Preprocessed UTS_RELEASE, got value "6.8.0-40-generic".
2024-08-17T07:22:18.246Z In(05) host-6478 The header path "/lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include" for the kernel "6.8.0-40-generic" is valid.  Whoohoo!
2024-08-17T07:22:18.246Z In(05) host-6478 Using temp dir "/tmp".
2024-08-17T07:22:31.570Z In(05) host-6478 Stopping VMware services:
2024-08-17T07:22:31.570Z In(05) host-6478    VMware Authentication Daemon done
2024-08-17T07:22:31.570Z In(05) host-6478    Virtual machine monitor done
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make: Entering directory '/tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only'
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /usr/bin/make -C /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include/.. M=$PWD SRCROOT=$PWD/. \
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   MODULEBUILDDIR= modules
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make[1]: Entering directory '/usr/src/linux-headers-6.8.0-40-generic'
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/linux/driver.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/linux/driverLog.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/linux/hostif.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/common/apic.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/common/comport.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/common/cpuid.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/common/crosspage.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/common/memtrack.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make[1]: Leaving directory '/usr/src/linux-headers-6.8.0-40-generic'
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make: Leaving directory '/tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only'
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make: Entering directory '/tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only'
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /usr/bin/make -C /lib/modules/6.8.0-40-generic/build/include/.. M=$PWD SRCROOT=$PWD/. \
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   MODULEBUILDDIR= modules
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make[1]: Entering directory '/usr/src/linux-headers-6.8.0-40-generic'
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/driver.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/hub.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/userif.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/netif.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/bridge.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/procfs.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/smac_compat.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/smac.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/vnetEvent.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/vnetUserListener.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   LD [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/vmnet.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   MODPOST /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/Module.symvers
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   CC [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/vmnet.mod.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   LD [M]  /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/vmnet.ko
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   BTF [M] /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/vmnet.ko
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make[1]: Leaving directory '/usr/src/linux-headers-6.8.0-40-generic'
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /usr/bin/make -C $PWD SRCROOT=$PWD/. \
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   MODULEBUILDDIR= postbuild
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make[1]: Entering directory '/tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only'
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make[1]: 'postbuild' is up to date.
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make[1]: Leaving directory '/tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only'
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 cp -f vmnet.ko ./../vmnet.o
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make: Leaving directory '/tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only'
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 [AppLoader] GLib does not have GSettings support.
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 Using kernel build system.
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 warning: the compiler differs from the one used to build the kernel
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   The kernel was built by: x86_64-linux-gnu-gcc-12 (Ubuntu 12.3.0-1ubuntu1~22.04) 12.3.0
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   You are using:           gcc-12 (Ubuntu 12.3.0-1ubuntu1~22.04) 12.3.0
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/common/crosspage.o: warning: objtool: CrossPage_CodePage+0x207: 'naked' return found in RETHUNK build
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make[3]: *** [scripts/Makefile.build:243: /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/common/crosspage.o] Error 255
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make[3]: *** Deleting file '/tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/common/crosspage.o'
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make[3]: *** Waiting for unfinished jobs....
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/linux/hostif.c:2926:1: warning: no previous prototype for 'HostIFCheckTrackedMPN' [-Wmissing-prototypes]
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478  2926 | HostIFCheckTrackedMPN(VMDriver *vm, // IN: The VM instance
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478       | ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/linux/hostif.c:3046:1: warning: no previous prototype for 'HostIFWritePhysicalWork' [-Wmissing-prototypes]
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478  3046 | HostIFWritePhysicalWork(MA ma,             // MA to be written to
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478       | ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/linux/hostif.c:3205:1: warning: no previous prototype for 'HostIFStartTimer' [-Wmissing-prototypes]
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478  3205 | HostIFStartTimer(Bool rateChanged,  //IN: Did rate change?
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478       | ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/linux/driver.c:271:1: warning: no previous prototype for 'LinuxDriverInit' [-Wmissing-prototypes]
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   271 | LinuxDriverInit(void)
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478       | ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only/linux/driver.c:339:1: warning: no previous prototype for 'LinuxDriverExit' [-Wmissing-prototypes]
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   339 | LinuxDriverExit(void)
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478       | ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make[2]: *** [/usr/src/linux-headers-6.8.0-40-generic/Makefile:1926: /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmmon-only] Error 2
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make[1]: *** [Makefile:240: __sub-make] Error 2
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 make: *** [Makefile:117: vmmon.ko] Error 2
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 Using kernel build system.
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 warning: the compiler differs from the one used to build the kernel
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   The kernel was built by: x86_64-linux-gnu-gcc-12 (Ubuntu 12.3.0-1ubuntu1~22.04) 12.3.0
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   You are using:           gcc-12 (Ubuntu 12.3.0-1ubuntu1~22.04) 12.3.0
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/userif.c:1091:1: warning: no previous prototype for 'VNetUserIf_Create' [-Wmissing-prototypes]
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478  1091 | VNetUserIf_Create(VNetPort **ret) // OUT
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478       | ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/netif.c:173:1: warning: no previous prototype for 'VNetNetIf_Create' [-Wmissing-prototypes]
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   173 | VNetNetIf_Create(char *devName,  // IN:
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478       | ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/bridge.c:258:1: warning: no previous prototype for 'VNetBridge_Create' [-Wmissing-prototypes]
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478   258 | VNetBridge_Create(const char *devName, // IN:  name of device (e.g., "eth0")
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478       | ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/bridge.c:1411:1: warning: no previous prototype for 'VNetBridgeSendLargePacket' [-Wmissing-prototypes]
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478  1411 | VNetBridgeSendLargePacket(struct sk_buff *skb,        // IN: packet to split
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478       | ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/userif.o: warning: objtool: VNetCsumAndCopyToUser+0x2d: call to csum_partial_copy_nocheck() with UACCESS enabled
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/vnetUserListener.c:87:1: warning: no previous prototype for 'VNetUserListener_Create' [-Wmissing-prototypes]
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478    87 | VNetUserListener_Create(uint32 classMask,  // IN: the listener's class mask
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478       | ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 Skipping BTF generation for /tmp/modconfig-iRdMGp/vmnet-only/vmnet.ko due to unavailability of vmlinux
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 Unable to install all modules.  See log for details.
2024-08-17T07:22:31.571Z In(05) host-6478 

[gary fargusson]

I found a solution here:

https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/773558/vmware-vmmon-vmnet-17-5-1-and-linux-kernel-6-8-0-wont-compile

Make back-up copies of /lib/vmware/modules/source/ vmmon.tar and vmnet.tar

The short instructions that worked for me are:

cd /tmp
sudo bash
git clone https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules.git
cd vmware-host-modules
git switch workstation-17.5.1
make
make install

[Andrew Hill]

Thanks. I'll give it a go.

[Andrew Hill]

Thanks Gary, I'm up and running again. 

I guess if I have to muck around compiling git clones I should probably just be using VirtualBox.

*shrug*

[tomato2]

Could a Software Engineer from Broadcom confirm when there will be an official stable release? 

[gary fargusson]

I've considered it too.

What I suspect is happening is that during the install, VMWare probably creates symbolic links for libraries and header files so that the code for vmmon and vmnet, which have to communicate directly with the kernel, can be compiled and linked as an executable file. 

I haven't dug into the patch, but it seems that the culprit is vmmon-only/common/vmx86.c in vmmon.tar. There seem to be a header file, timex.h, that got trashed during the patch. The git branch probably fixes the include statement(s) within the code so that the compiled code can be linked. It's been a while since I've coded in C, but I'm familiar with what's going on and what the errors in the log was telling me.

Big thanks to Mkubecek for doing the legwork! 

It is kind of the nature of the beast.

IDK about the pitfalls of VirtualBox, but I may look into it too.

[yrona]

If you need your guest systems to keep working, don't do any more kernel upgrades on the host.  Right now I'm running Pop OS 22.04 LTS with kernel version 6.9.3-76060903-generic, and though I was able to get vmnet to compile thanks to nan0desu's fork of mkubecek's patches for vmmon and vmnet,  none of the virtual networks actually work. They are not actually connecting to the network card, even though the network config file is set up correctly.

[gary fargusson]

I'm not going to throw stones at other Linux distros, but you might have more success if you were to switch to either Debian or Ubuntu. I would bet that the contributors to Mkubecek's github are using either Debian or Ubuntu.

Unless you are a Linux driver hardware wizard, I would stick to the popular "developer" platforms. If I were to hazard a guess, there is a subtle difference in the network drivers between Debian/Ubuntu and Pop OS which means that you would have to manually compile vmnet and vmmon with detailed logging. You will have to insert and turn on logging within the code to help with trouble-shooting.

If you are a C programmer and interested in Linux hardware interfaces, this can be fun and you can contribute to the github community to create branches for Pop OS.

While you may have been able to compile and link vmmon and vmnet, I bet there may be some warnings in the compile or link that is causing the issue and I would look VERY hard at the code for vmnet as that is the virtual network interface.

[yrona]

Gary,  Thank you for your suggestion that I more closely check the output of the make step.  There was an error message:

  CC [M]  /home/yilmaz/VMWare/nan0desu/vmware-host-modules/vmmon-only/vmmon.mod.o
  LD [M]  /home/yilmaz/VMWare/nan0desu/vmware-host-modules/vmmon-only/vmmon.ko
  BTF [M] /home/yilmaz/VMWare/nan0desu/vmware-host-modules/vmmon-only/vmmon.ko
Skipping BTF generation for /home/yilmaz/VMWare/nan0desu/vmware-host-modules/vmmon-only/vmmon.ko due to unavailability of vmlinux
make[2]: Leaving directory '/usr/src/linux-headers-6.9.3-76060903-generic'

Once I got a copy of vmlinux loaded in  /usr/lib/modules/6.9.3-76060903-generic/build/, it worked like a charm!  

I'm up and running!

[gary fargusson]

Excellent!!!!

My former boss always used to remind me; "What does the log file say?" :)

[gary fargusson]

I just saw this post concerning Pop OS:

https://community.broadcom.com/vmware-cloud-foundation/discussion/broken-kernel-module-sources-on-latest-version

It talks about reverting back the patch update to restore functionality.

I hope you find this information helpful

[jean paul Poulet]

Thanks Gary, this works for me.
But my VM was in suspended state and I received an error message (vmon not started or something like that). It was impossible to restart it.

I had to power it off and restart it to get it working again.

[tomato2]

We're all waiting for the same fix, any news when VMWare will release next fixed version?