How to configure the Linux kernel/drivers/char/watchdog

Howto configure the Linux kernel / drivers / char / watchdog


 * Watchdog device configuration
 * Watchdog device configuration

Watchdog Cards

 * Option: WATCHDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off) Watchdog Timer Support
 * If you say Y here (and to one of the following options) and create a character special file /dev/watchdog with major number 10 and minor number 130 using mknod ("man mknod"), you will get a watchdog, i.e.: subsequently opening the file and then failing to write to it for longer than 1 minute will result in rebooting the machine. This could be useful for a networked machine that needs to come back online as fast as possible after a lock-up. There's both a watchdog implementation entirely in software (which can sometimes fail to reboot the machine) and a driver for hardware watchdog boards, which are more robust and can also keep track of the temperature inside your computer. For details, read  in the kernel source.
 * The watchdog is usually used together with the watchdog daemon which is available from . This daemon can also monitor NFS connections and can reboot the machine when the process table is full.
 * If unsure, say N.


 * Option: WATCHDOG_NOWAYOUT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off) Disable watchdog shutdown on close
 * depends on WATCHDOG
 * The default watchdog behaviour (which you get if you say N here) is to stop the timer if the process managing it closes the file /dev/watchdog. It's always remotely possible that this process might get killed. If you say Y here, the watchdog cannot be stopped once it has been started.


 * General Watchdog drivers
 * General Watchdog drivers

"Watchdog Device Drivers"
 * depends on WATCHDOG


 * Architecture Independant


 * Option: SOFT_WATCHDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) Software watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG
 * A software monitoring watchdog. This will fail to reboot your system from some situations that the hardware watchdog will recover from. Equally it's a lot cheaper to install.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called softdog.


 * ARM Architecture


 * Option: 21285_WATCHDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) DC21285 watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && FOOTBRIDGE
 * The Intel Footbridge chip contains a builtin watchdog circuit. Say Y here if you wish to use this. Alternatively say M to compile the driver as a module, which will be called wdt285.
 * This driver does not work on all machines. In particular, early CATS boards have hardware problems that will cause the machine to simply lock up if the watchdog fires.
 * If in doubt, leave it out - say N.


 * Option: 977_WATCHDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) NetWinder WB83C977 watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && FOOTBRIDGE && ARCH_NETWINDER
 * Say Y here to include support for the WB977 watchdog included in NetWinder machines. Alternatively say M to compile the driver as a module, which will be called wdt977.
 * Not sure? It's safe to say N.


 * Option: IXP2000_WATCHDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) IXP2000 Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && ARCH_IXP2000
 * Say Y here if to include support for the watchdog timer in the Intel IXP2000(2400, 2800, 2850) network processors. This driver can be built as a module by choosing M. The module will be called ixp2000_wdt.
 * Say N if you are unsure.


 * Option: IXP4XX_WATCHDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) IXP4xx Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && ARCH_IXP4XX
 * Say Y here if to include support for the watchdog timer in the Intel IXP4xx network processors. This driver can be built as a module by choosing M. The module will be called ixp4xx_wdt.
 * Note: The internal IXP4xx watchdog does a soft CPU reset which doesn't reset any peripherals. There are circumstances where the watchdog will fail to reset the board correctly (e.g., if the boot ROM is in an unreadable state).
 * Say N if you are unsure.


 * Option: S3C2410_WATCHDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) S3C2410 Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && ARCH_S3C2410
 * Watchdog timer block in the Samsung S3C2410 chips. This will reboot the system when the timer expires with the watchdog enabled.
 * The driver is limited by the speed of the system's PCLK signal, so with reasonbaly fast systems (PCLK around 50-66MHz) then watchdog intervals of over approximately 20seconds are unavailable.
 * The driver can be built as a module by choosing M, and will be called s3c2410_wdt


 * Option: SA1100_WATCHDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) SA1100/PXA2xx watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && ( ARCH_SA1100 || ARCH_PXA )
 * Watchdog timer embedded into SA11x0 and PXA2xx chips. This will reboot your system when timeout is reached.
 * NOTE: once enabled, this timer cannot be disabled.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called sa1100_wdt.


 * Option: MPCORE_WATCHDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) MPcore watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && ARM_MPCORE_PLATFORM && LOCAL_TIMERS
 * Watchdog timer embedded into the MPcore system.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called mpcore_wdt.


 * X86 (i386 + ia64 + x86_64) Architecture


 * Option: ACQUIRE_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) Acquire SBC Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * This is the driver for the hardware watchdog on Single Board Computers produced by Acquire Inc (and others). This watchdog simply watches your kernel to make sure it doesn't freeze, and if it does, it reboots your computer after a certain amount of time.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called acquirewdt.
 * Most people will say N.


 * Option: ADVANTECH_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) Advantech SBC Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * If you are configuring a Linux kernel for the Advantech single-board computer, say `Y' here to support its built-in watchdog timer feature. More information can be found at 


 * Option: ALIM1535_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) ALi M1535 PMU Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86 && PCI
 * This is the driver for the hardware watchdog on the ALi M1535 PMU.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called alim1535_wdt.
 * Most people will say N.


 * Option: ALIM7101_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) ALi M7101 PMU Computer Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86 && PCI
 * This is the driver for the hardware watchdog on the ALi M7101 PMU as used in the x86 Cobalt servers.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called alim7101_wdt.
 * Most people will say N.


 * Option: SC520_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) AMD Elan SC520 processor Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * This is the driver for the hardware watchdog built in to the AMD "Elan" SC520 microcomputer commonly used in embedded systems. This watchdog simply watches your kernel to make sure it doesn't freeze, and if it does, it reboots your computer after a certain amount of time.
 * You can compile this driver directly into the kernel, or use it as a module. The module will be called sc520_wdt.


 * Option: EUROTECH_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) Eurotech CPU-1220/1410 Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * Enable support for the watchdog timer on the Eurotech CPU-1220 and CPU-1410 cards. These are PC/104 SBCs. Spec sheets and product information are at .


 * Option: IB700_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) IB700 SBC Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * This is the driver for the hardware watchdog on the IB700 Single Board Computer produced by TMC Technology (www.tmc-uk.com). This watchdog simply watches your kernel to make sure it doesn't freeze, and if it does, it reboots your computer after a certain amount of time.
 * This driver is like the WDT501 driver but for slightly different hardware.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called ib700wdt.
 * Most people will say N.


 * Option: IBMASR
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...      tristate IBM Automatic Server Restart       depends on WATCHDOG && X86       help This is the driver for the IBM Automatic Server Restart watchdog timer builtin into some eServer xSeries machines.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called ibmasr.


 * Option: WAFER_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) ICP Wafer 5823 Single Board Computer Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * This is a driver for the hardware watchdog on the ICP Wafer 5823 Single Board Computer (and probably other similar models).
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called wafer5823wdt.


 * Option: I6300ESB_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) Intel 6300ESB Timer/Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86 && PCI
 * Hardware driver for the watchdog timer built into the Intel 6300ESB controller hub.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called i6300esb.


 * Option: I8XX_TCO
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) Intel i8xx TCO Timer/Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && (X86 || IA64) && PCI
 * Hardware driver for the TCO timer built into the Intel 82801 I/O Controller Hub family. The TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) timer is a watchdog timer that will reboot the machine after its second expiration. The expiration time can be configured with the "heartbeat" parameter.
 * On some motherboards the driver may fail to reset the chipset's NO_REBOOT flag which prevents the watchdog from rebooting the machine. If this is the case you will get a kernel message like failed to reset NO_REBOOT flag, reboot disabled by hardware.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called i8xx_tco.


 * Option: SC1200_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) National Semiconductor PC87307/PC97307 (ala SC1200) Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * This is a driver for National Semiconductor PC87307/PC97307 hardware watchdog cards as found on the SC1200. This watchdog is mainly used for power management purposes and can be used to power down the device during inactivity periods (includes interrupt activity monitoring).
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called sc1200wdt.
 * Most people will say N.


 * Option: SCx200_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) National Semiconductor SCx200 Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && SCx200 && PCI
 * Enable the built-in watchdog timer support on the National Semiconductor SCx200 processors.
 * If compiled as a module, it will be called scx200_wdt.


 * Option: 60XX_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) SBC-60XX Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * This driver can be used with the watchdog timer found on some single board computers, namely the 6010 PII based computer. It may well work with other cards. It reads port 0x443 to enable and re-set the watchdog timer, and reads port 0x45 to disable the watchdog.  If you have a card that behave in similar ways, you can probably make this driver work with your card as well.
 * You can compile this driver directly into the kernel, or use it as a module. The module will be called sbc60xxwdt.


 * Option: SBC8360_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) SBC8360 Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * This is the driver for the hardware watchdog on the SBC8360 Single Board Computer produced by Axiomtek Co., Ltd. (www.axiomtek.com).
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called sbc8360.ko.
 * Most people will say N.
 * Most people will say N.


 * Option: CPU5_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) SMA CPU5 Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * TBD. To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called cpu5wdt.


 * Option: W83627HF_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) W83627HF Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * This is the driver for the hardware watchdog on the W83627HF chipset as used in Advantech PC-9578 and Tyan S2721-533 motherboards (and likely others). This watchdog simply watches your kernel to make sure it doesn't freeze, and if it does, it reboots your computer after a certain amount of time.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called w83627hf_wdt.
 * Most people will say N.


 * Option: W83877F_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) W83877F (EMACS) Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * This is the driver for the hardware watchdog on the W83877F chipset as used in EMACS PC-104 motherboards (and likely others). This watchdog simply watches your kernel to make sure it doesn't freeze, and if it does, it reboots your computer after a certain amount of time.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called w83877f_wdt.
 * Most people will say N.


 * Option: W83977F_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) W83977F (PCM-5335) Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * This is the driver for the hardware watchdog on the W83977F I/O chip as used in AAEON's PCM-5335 SBC (and likely others). This watchdog simply watches your kernel to make sure it doesn't freeze, and if it does, it reboots your computer after a certain amount of time.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called w83977f_wdt.


 * Option: MACHZ_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) ZF MachZ Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && X86
 * If you are using a ZF Micro MachZ processor, say Y here, otherwise N. This is the driver for the watchdog timer builtin on that processor using ZF-Logic interface.  This watchdog simply watches your kernel to make sure it doesn't freeze, and if it does, it reboots your computer after a certain amount of time.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called machzwd.


 * PowerPC Architecture


 * Option: 8xx_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) MPC8xx Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && 8xx


 * Option: MV64X60_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) MV64X60 (Marvell Discovery) Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && MV64X60


 * Option: BOOKE_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) PowerPC Book-E Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && (BOOKE || 4xx)
 * Please see Documentation/watchdog/watchdog-api.txt for more information.


 * PPC64 Architecture


 * Option: WATCHDOG_RTAS
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) RTAS watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && PPC_RTAS
 * This driver adds watchdog support for the RTAS watchdog.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here. The module will be called wdrtas.


 * MIPS Architecture


 * Option: INDYDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) Indy/I2 Hardware Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && SGI_IP22
 * Hardwaredriver for the Indy's/I2's watchdog. This is a watchdog timer that will reboot the machine after a 60 second timer expired and no process has written to /dev/watchdog during that time.


 * S390 Architecture


 * Option: ZVM_WATCHDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) z/VM Watchdog Timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && ARCH_S390
 * IBM s/390 and zSeries machines running under z/VM 5.1 or later provide a virtual watchdog timer to their guest that cause a user define Control Program command to be executed after a timeout.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here. The module will be called vmwatchdog.


 * SUPERH Architecture


 * Option: SH_WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) SuperH Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && SUPERH
 * This driver adds watchdog support for the integrated watchdog in the SuperH processors. If you have one of these processors and wish to have watchdog support enabled, say Y, otherwise say N.
 * As a side note, saying Y here will automatically boost HZ to 1000 so that the timer has a chance to clear the overflow counter. On slower systems (such as the SH-2 and SH-3) this will likely yield some performance issues. As such, the WDT should be avoided here unless it is absolutely necessary.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called shwdt.


 * SPARC64 Architecture


 * Option: WATCHDOG_CP1XXX
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) CP1XXX Hardware Watchdog support
 * depends on WATCHDOG && SPARC64 && PCI
 * This is the driver for the hardware watchdog timers present on Sun Microsystems CompactPCI models CP1400 and CP1500.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called cpwatchdog.
 * If you do not have a CompactPCI model CP1400 or CP1500, or another UltraSPARC-IIi-cEngine boardset with hardware watchdog, you should say N to this option.


 * Option: WATCHDOG_RIO
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) RIO Hardware Watchdog support
 * depends on WATCHDOG && SPARC64 && PCI
 * Say Y here to support the hardware watchdog capability on Sun RIO machines. The watchdog timeout period is normally one minute but can be changed with a boot-time parameter.


 * ISA-based Watchdog Cards
 * ISA-based Watchdog Cards

"ISA-based Watchdog Cards"
 * depends on WATCHDOG && ISA


 * Option: PCWATCHDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) Berkshire Products ISA-PC Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && ISA
 * This is the driver for the Berkshire Products ISA-PC Watchdog card. This card simply watches your kernel to make sure it doesn't freeze, and if it does, it reboots your computer after a certain amount of time. This driver is like the WDT501 driver but for different hardware. Please read . The PC watchdog cards can be ordered from .
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called pcwd.
 * Most people will say N.


 * Option: MIXCOMWD
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) Mixcom Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && ISA
 * This is a driver for the Mixcom hardware watchdog cards. This watchdog simply watches your kernel to make sure it doesn't freeze, and if it does, it reboots your computer after a certain amount of time.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called mixcomwd.
 * Most people will say N.


 * Option: WDT
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) WDT Watchdog timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && ISA
 * If you have a WDT500P or WDT501P watchdog board, say Y here, otherwise N. It is not possible to probe for this board, which means that you have to inform the kernel about the IO port and IRQ that is needed (you can do this via the io and irq parameters)
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called wdt.


 * Option: WDT_501
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off) WDT501 features
 * depends on WDT
 * Saying Y here and creating a character special file /dev/temperature with major number 10 and minor number 131 ("man mknod") will give you a thermometer inside your computer: reading from /dev/temperature yields one byte, the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. This works only if you have a WDT501P watchdog board installed.
 * If you want to enable the Fan Tachometer on the WDT501P, then you can do this via the tachometer parameter. Only do this if you have a fan tachometer actually set up.


 * PCI-based Watchdog Cards
 * PCI-based Watchdog Cards

"PCI-based Watchdog Cards"
 * depends on WATCHDOG && PCI


 * Option: PCIPCWATCHDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) Berkshire Products PCI-PC Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && PCI
 * This is the driver for the Berkshire Products PCI-PC Watchdog card. This card simply watches your kernel to make sure it doesn't freeze, and if it does, it reboots your computer after a certain amount of time. The card can also monitor the internal temperature of the PC. More info is available at .
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called pcwd_pci.
 * Most people will say N.


 * Option: WDTPCI
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) PCI-WDT500/501 Watchdog timer
 * depends on WATCHDOG && PCI
 * If you have a PCI-WDT500/501 watchdog board, say Y here, otherwise N.
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called wdt_pci.


 * Option: WDT_501_PCI
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off) PCI-WDT501 features
 * depends on WDTPCI
 * Saying Y here and creating a character special file /dev/temperature with major number 10 and minor number 131 ("man mknod") will give you a thermometer inside your computer: reading from /dev/temperature yields one byte, the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. This works only if you have a PCI-WDT501 watchdog board installed.
 * If you want to enable the Fan Tachometer on the PCI-WDT501, then you can do this via the tachometer parameter. Only do this if you have a fan tachometer actually set up.


 * USB-based Watchdog Cards
 * USB-based Watchdog Cards

"USB-based Watchdog Cards"
 * depends on WATCHDOG && USB


 * Option: USBPCWATCHDOG
 * Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
 * (on/off/module) Berkshire Products USB-PC Watchdog
 * depends on WATCHDOG && USB
 * This is the driver for the Berkshire Products USB-PC Watchdog card. This card simply watches your kernel to make sure it doesn't freeze, and if it does, it reboots your computer after a certain amount of time. The card can also monitor the internal temperature of the PC. More info is available at .
 * To compile this driver as a module, choose M here: the module will be called pcwd_usb.
 * Most people will say N.

Linux Kernel Configuration