Alma 9.6 no blk_queue_max_hw_sectors found

[svennd]

System information

Type	Version/Name
Distribution Name	AlmaLinux release 9.6 (Sage Margay)
Kernel Version	5.14.0-570.12.1.el9_6.x86_64
Architecture	x86_64
OpenZFS Version	2.1.16

Describe the problem you're observing

ZFS fails to install giving this error in make log :

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-2.1.16-1
        *** Compatible Kernels: 3.10 - 6.7

There is a similar issue, but that's about a way newer kernel 6.10.

Describe how to reproduce the problem

Alma 9.6, install zfs based on the official guide.

Using the testing repository, zfs-2.3.2-1 installs fine, and since this is a backup system, this is fine for now, but I don't like latest version on the main storage bulk ... Perhaps this is extra fuel for the upgrade to 2.2 #17290 ?

[amotin]

2.1 branch is out of support. Should be updated to 2.2 or 2.3.

[svennd]

The docs refer to https://openzfs.github.io/openzfs-docs/Getting%20Started/RHEL-based%20distro/index.html which doesn't seem to find 2.2 or 2.3, only testing does.

[bclifford777]

Similar issue here with RHEL 9.6 and realise developed on Alamlinux so been waiting for 9.6 release before commenting.
While i can goto 2.3.X on developement systems on our production systems we would not use zfs-testing repo.

Also support 2.2.X being promoted to stable release as suggested in #17290 if issue #17118 resolved and updating doco at https://openzfs.github.io/openzfs-docs/Getting%20Started/RHEL-based%20distro/index.html for el9 installs

[tonyhutter]

Note that we're hitting an issue with EL 9.6 right now: #17364

[Bryan-Rose]

2.1 branch is out of support. Should be updated to 2.2 or 2.3.

Following the install instructions on Alamlinux 9.6, ZFS 2.1 is installed. How should we be installing/updating to 2.2 or 2.3?

https://openzfs.github.io/openzfs-docs/Getting%20Started/RHEL-based%20distro/index.html

dnf install https://zfsonlinux.org/epel/zfs-release-2-3$(rpm --eval "%{dist}").noarch.rpm

dnf list available --showduplicates zfs
Last metadata expiration check: 0:04:06 ago on Fri May 23 10:45:41 2025.
Available Packages
zfs.x86_64                               2.1.16-1.el9 

[svennd]

``` dnf config-manager --enable zfs-testing dnf install kernel-devel zfs ``` enable the testing branch is the only option

[prlinux]

zfs-testing should not be used on production systems.

Is it the end of ZFS on (RHEL) Almalinux or can we expect soon fix ?

Thank you!

[johnmmcgee]

This shouldn't be closed without a solution.

[svennd]

This shouldn't be closed without a solution.

@amotin has given the solution. I don't like it, but its what it is.

• Either upgrade to 2.2 or 2.3 (can be achieved through enabling zfs-testing) (issue : EL9.6: "Unpatched return thunk in use" #17364)
• Alternatively downgrade the kernel to before Almalinux 9.6 and keep using 2.1

[landlessreptile]

@amotin's answer is unacceptable.
The stable, official release is currently broken on the EL 9.6 kernel, and this is not the first time this has happened.

For those tuning in: hang tight, downgrade to the previous kernel as @svennd stated, and follow this discussion for a promising long term solution.

[robn]

amotin's answer is unacceptable.

And yet, it is the answer.

Assistance with updating documentation and care and feeding of package repositories is always welcome though. Volunteer work always needs more volunteers.