+++ This bug was initially created as a clone of Bug #199473 +++ See that bug for details. This problem affects the creation of kernel-debuginfo (.ko.debug files) on ppc/ppc64. It exists in the RHEL4 rpm version as well. I'm not really clear on what is the material result of the corruption that failing to do these reloc fixups does. It seems like it should mangle some of the dwarf info's internal pointers. This could affect systemtap use on ppc64 kernels on RHEL4. The fact that no corruption has been noticed might mean that it happens to be harmless in these particular builds, or that it will always be harmless due to some quirk of the kernel build that will persist, or that we just have not come across a place that it bit in using systemtap so far.
Oh, the upshot was supposed to be that a fixed RHEL4 rpm in the buildroots for the next RHEL4 update's kernel builds will be required to get the fix in place.
Obvious fix, we should include this in 4.5
This request was evaluated by Red Hat Product Management for inclusion in a Red Hat Enterprise Linux maintenance release. Product Management has requested further review of this request by Red Hat Engineering, for potential inclusion in a Red Hat Enterprise Linux Update release for currently deployed products. This request is not yet committed for inclusion in an Update release.
An advisory has been issued which should help the problem described in this bug report. This report is therefore being closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information on the solution and/or where to find the updated files, please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report if the solution does not work for you. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2007-0315.html