Inserting network driver into initrd.img

[Dan Carpenter]

Basically you're doing all the right things...  I've done that myself
a couple times.  There is probably a small mistake somewhere like a
typo or something.

Some hints.

I would install the system first from CDROM.  At that point you can
just rpm -ivh the -BOOT kernel.  Once you have the -BOOT kernel
installed you can test that your kernel module loads and the NIC is
detected.

Next use the initrd from the cdrom to boot instead of running
mkinitrd.  This allows you to make quick changes to the initrd and
reboot without burning a CD every time.

You probably will want to set up a PXE server eventually...

What update of RHEL is it and the what driver?  If your vendor
provides a driver disk that's easier and cleaner than hacking the
initrd to bits.

Also if you have the system installed already and it's rhel3u3 or
higher you may as well patch anaconda to load driver disks
automatically.

https://www.redhat.com/archives/anaconda-devel-list/2005-November/msg00018.html

regards,
dan carpenter