xanmod_stable fails to build with ZFS support.

[shymega]

I'm using NixOS (24.05), and attempting to rebuild, but ran into an issue with ZFS and Xanmod.

My configuration is:

boot.kernelPackages = pkgs.linuxPackages_xanmod_stable
boot.extraModulePackages = with config.boot.kernelPackages; [ zfs ];

The stack trace is below:

$ sudo nixos-rebuild boot --option builders '' && exit
building the system configuration...
error: builder for '/nix/store/k5ya2qhsvrrqcpp1zl4yiq6d6fy7d1q3-zfs-kernel-2.2.4-6.10.5.drv' failed with exit code 1;
       last 10 log lines:
       > checking whether blk_queue_write_cache() is GPL-only... yes
       > checking whether blk_queue_max_hw_sectors() is available... configure: error:
       >    *** None of the expected "blk_queue_max_hw_sectors" interfaces were detected.
       >  *** This may be because your kernel version is newer than what is
       >      *** supported, or you are using a patched custom kernel with
       >   *** incompatible modifications.
       >        ***
       >    *** ZFS Version: zfs-2.2.4-1
       >   *** Compatible Kernels: 3.10 - 6.8
       >
       For full logs, run 'nix log /nix/store/k5ya2qhsvrrqcpp1zl4yiq6d6fy7d1q3-zfs-kernel-2.2.4-6.10.5.drv'.
error: 1 dependencies of derivation '/nix/store/1fia7sqwwz02212ndv6cyxakw28kdbcn-linux-6.10.5-modules.drv' failed to build
error: 1 dependencies of derivation '/nix/store/ibn52jj32yn2w7k7chn8skf1zh8dcqwx-nixos-system-MORPHEUS-LINUX-24.05.20240830.6e99f2a.drv' failed to build

I would rather use xanmod_stable, because I need this NixOS machine to be relatively stable.

I've tried using xanmod_latest, with the same issue.

Please do let me know if further details are required.

[jaen]

That's normal with ZFS – your kernel (6.10.5) is too new. You have to either:

• wait for zfs_2_2: 2.2.5 -> 2.2.6 #339696 to be merged for Linux 6.10 support,
• overlay newer ZFS on top of your nixpkgs (kind of annoying IME),
• use LTS xanmod (that is, pkgs.linuxPackages_xanmod), but keep in mind that's Linux 6.6.

[shymega]

Yeah, I was aware. I did try pkgs.linuxPackages_xanmod, which was unfruitful last time I tried.

It would be useful to have an option like config.boot.zfs.package.latestCompatibleLinuxPackages;, but for other kernels, via an argument passed to the module. Would that be possible, do you think - maybe I should open an feature request?

[shymega]

Just saw #339696 was merged. I think I'll stick with LTS Xanmod for now.

I'll draft a feature request for a parameterised config.boot.zfs.package.latestCompatibleLinuxPackages at some point, though.

Seeing as LTS Xanmod works on my system, I will close this issue as completed.

[amarshall]

I’d be mostly fine with making the filter customizable. It’s easier (but still a bit of work) now that it’s actually dynamic rather than static. However, in general I don’t think using zfs.latestCompatibleLinuxPackages is a good idea, since your Kernel version can go backwards. IMO it’s better to specify the Kernel version and variant explicitly in your own config (or at least some amount of asserts).

[shymega]

I agree with you. Did you want to create the feature request, or shall I, and cc you in it? I'm not as familiar with the filter as other people may be.