Linux kernel driver for the Winbond 83697HF/HG watchdog

My device driver for the watchdog embedded in the Winbond 83697HF/HG SuperIO controller has been integrated into the forthcoming Linux 2.6.19 kernel. If you want to use it on a Dedibox dedicated server, you have to:

• activate the option CONFIG_W83697HF_WDT in your kernel configuration file
• load the module at boot time with parameter wdt_io=0x4e; creating /etc/modules.d/wdt with a single line

  options w83697hf_wdt wdt_io=0x4e

  and running update-modules should work on most Linux distributions

• install a watchdog signaling program such as watchdog (sys-apps/watchdog in Gentoo portage tree) and run it at boot time

Then if your server gets stuck, whatever the cause, it will reboot automatically.

Related posts:

1. Running GNU/Linux on a Fujitsu-Siemens Lifebook S7110
2. Will Gentoo be the last OS without IPv6 automatic tunnels?
3. Tor, plausible deniability, watchdog and seizures
4. To peer review or to not peer review?
5. Spread the word (and the software)