I don't see the issue you are reporting. I don't have the storage device that uses this driver, but I am able to install the new kernel from PPA and load the qla2xxx driver on our P9.
ubuntu@dradis:~$ uname -a
Linux dradis 4.15.0-20-generic #21-Ubuntu SMP Tue Apr 24 06:14:44 UTC 2018 ppc64le ppc64le ppc64le GNU/Linux
ubuntu@dradis:~$ apt search linux-image-unsigned
Sorting... Done
Full Text Search... Done
linux-image-unsigned-4.15.0-20-generic/bionic 4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7 ppc64el
Linux kernel image for version 4.15.0 on PowerPC 64el SMP
ubuntu@dradis:~$ apt search linux-modules
Sorting... Done
Full Text Search... Done
linux-modules-4.15.0-20-generic/bionic 4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7 ppc64el [upgradable from: 4.15.0-20.21]
Linux kernel extra modules for version 4.15.0 on PowerPC 64el SMP
linux-modules-extra-4.15.0-20-generic/bionic 4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7 ppc64el [upgradable from: 4.15.0-20.21]
Linux kernel extra modules for version 4.15.0 on PowerPC 64el SMP
ubuntu@dradis:~$ sudo apt install -y --assume-yes linux-image-unsigned-4.15.0-20-generic linux-modules-4.15.0-20-generic linux-modules-extra-4.15.0-20-generic
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following package was automatically installed and is no longer required:
linux-headers-generic
Use 'sudo apt autoremove' to remove it.
Suggested packages:
fdutils linux-doc-4.15.0 | linux-source-4.15.0 linux-tools
The following packages will be REMOVED:
linux-generic linux-image-4.15.0-20-generic linux-image-generic
The following NEW packages will be installed:
linux-image-unsigned-4.15.0-20-generic
The following packages will be upgraded:
linux-modules-4.15.0-20-generic linux-modules-extra-4.15.0-20-generic
2 upgraded, 1 newly installed, 3 to remove and 2 not upgraded.
Need to get 50.1 MB of archives.
After this operation, 72.7 kB of additional disk space will be used.
Get:1 http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-power-triage/lp1770003/ubuntu bionic/main ppc64el linux-image-unsigned-4.15.0-20-generic ppc64el 4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7 [6143 kB]
Get:2 http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-power-triage/lp1770003/ubuntu bionic/main ppc64el linux-modules-4.15.0-20-generic ppc64el 4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7 [12.5 MB]
Get:3 http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-power-triage/lp1770003/ubuntu bionic/main ppc64el linux-modules-extra-4.15.0-20-generic ppc64el 4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7 [31.5 MB]
Fetched 50.1 MB in 1min 10s (714 kB/s)
(Reading database ... 64762 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing linux-generic (4.15.0.20.23) ...
Removing linux-image-generic (4.15.0.20.23) ...
dpkg: linux-image-4.15.0-20-generic: dependency problems, but removing anyway as you requested:
linux-modules-extra-4.15.0-20-generic depends on linux-image-4.15.0-20-generic | linux-image-unsigned-4.15.0-20-generic; however:
Package linux-image-4.15.0-20-generic is to be removed.
Package linux-image-unsigned-4.15.0-20-generic is not installed.
Removing linux-image-4.15.0-20-generic (4.15.0-20.21) ...
W: Removing the running kernel
W: Last kernel image has been removed, so removing the default symlinks
/etc/kernel/postrm.d/initramfs-tools:
update-initramfs: Deleting /boot/initrd.img-4.15.0-20-generic
/etc/kernel/postrm.d/zz-update-grub:
Generating grub configuration file ...
done
Selecting previously unselected package linux-image-unsigned-4.15.0-20-generic.
(Reading database ... 64752 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack .../linux-image-unsigned-4.15.0-20-generic_4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7_ppc64el.deb ...
Unpacking linux-image-unsigned-4.15.0-20-generic (4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7) ...
Preparing to unpack .../linux-modules-4.15.0-20-generic_4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7_ppc64el.deb ...
Unpacking linux-modules-4.15.0-20-generic (4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7) over (4.15.0-20.21) ...
Preparing to unpack .../linux-modules-extra-4.15.0-20-generic_4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7_ppc64el.deb ...
Unpacking linux-modules-extra-4.15.0-20-generic (4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7) over (4.15.0-20.21) ...
Setting up linux-modules-4.15.0-20-generic (4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7) ...
Setting up linux-image-unsigned-4.15.0-20-generic (4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7) ...
I: /boot/vmlinux.old is now a symlink to vmlinux-4.15.0-20-generic
I: /boot/initrd.img.old is now a symlink to initrd.img-4.15.0-20-generic
I: /boot/vmlinux is now a symlink to vmlinux-4.15.0-20-generic
I: /boot/initrd.img is now a symlink to initrd.img-4.15.0-20-generic
Setting up linux-modules-extra-4.15.0-20-generic (4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7) ...
Processing triggers for linux-image-unsigned-4.15.0-20-generic (4.15.0-20.23~lp1770003+build.7) ...
/etc/kernel/postinst.d/initramfs-tools:
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-4.15.0-20-generic
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/ast_dp501_fw.bin for module ast
/etc/kernel/postinst.d/zz-update-grub:
Generating grub configuration file ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinux-4.15.0-20-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-4.15.0-20-generic
done
ubuntu@dradis:~$ sudo reboot
ubuntu@dradis:~$ uname -a
Linux dradis 4.15.0-20-generic #23~lp1770003+build.7-Ubuntu SMP Thu May 10 14:31:31 UTC 2018 ppc64le ppc64le ppc64le GNU/Linux
I don't see the issue you are reporting. I don't have the storage device that uses this driver, but I am able to install the new kernel from PPA and load the qla2xxx driver on our P9.
ubuntu@dradis:~$ uname -a
Linux dradis 4.15.0-20-generic #21-Ubuntu SMP Tue Apr 24 06:14:44 UTC 2018 ppc64le ppc64le ppc64le GNU/Linux
ubuntu@dradis:~$ sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:ubuntu- power-triage/ lp1770003
ubuntu@dradis:~$ apt search linux-image- unsigned unsigned- 4.15.0- 20-generic/ bionic 4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7 ppc64el
Sorting... Done
Full Text Search... Done
linux-image-
Linux kernel image for version 4.15.0 on PowerPC 64el SMP
ubuntu@dradis:~$ apt search linux-modules 4.15.0- 20-generic/ bionic 4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7 ppc64el [upgradable from: 4.15.0-20.21]
Sorting... Done
Full Text Search... Done
linux-modules-
Linux kernel extra modules for version 4.15.0 on PowerPC 64el SMP
linux-modules- extra-4. 15.0-20- generic/ bionic 4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7 ppc64el [upgradable from: 4.15.0-20.21]
Linux kernel extra modules for version 4.15.0 on PowerPC 64el SMP
ubuntu@dradis:~$ sudo apt install -y --assume-yes linux-image- unsigned- 4.15.0- 20-generic linux-modules- 4.15.0- 20-generic linux-modules- extra-4. 15.0-20- generic headers- generic 4.15.0- 20-generic linux-image-generic image-unsigned- 4.15.0- 20-generic modules- 4.15.0- 20-generic linux-modules- extra-4. 15.0-20- generic ppa.launchpad. net/ubuntu- power-triage/ lp1770003/ ubuntu bionic/main ppc64el linux-image- unsigned- 4.15.0- 20-generic ppc64el 4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7 [6143 kB] ppa.launchpad. net/ubuntu- power-triage/ lp1770003/ ubuntu bionic/main ppc64el linux-modules- 4.15.0- 20-generic ppc64el 4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7 [12.5 MB] ppa.launchpad. net/ubuntu- power-triage/ lp1770003/ ubuntu bionic/main ppc64el linux-modules- extra-4. 15.0-20- generic ppc64el 4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7 [31.5 MB] 4.15.0- 20-generic: dependency problems, but removing anyway as you requested: modules- extra-4. 15.0-20- generic depends on linux-image- 4.15.0- 20-generic | linux-image- unsigned- 4.15.0- 20-generic; however: 4.15.0- 20-generic is to be removed. unsigned- 4.15.0- 20-generic is not installed.
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following package was automatically installed and is no longer required:
linux-
Use 'sudo apt autoremove' to remove it.
Suggested packages:
fdutils linux-doc-4.15.0 | linux-source-4.15.0 linux-tools
The following packages will be REMOVED:
linux-generic linux-image-
The following NEW packages will be installed:
linux-
The following packages will be upgraded:
linux-
2 upgraded, 1 newly installed, 3 to remove and 2 not upgraded.
Need to get 50.1 MB of archives.
After this operation, 72.7 kB of additional disk space will be used.
Get:1 http://
Get:2 http://
Get:3 http://
Fetched 50.1 MB in 1min 10s (714 kB/s)
(Reading database ... 64762 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing linux-generic (4.15.0.20.23) ...
Removing linux-image-generic (4.15.0.20.23) ...
dpkg: linux-image-
linux-
Package linux-image-
Package linux-image-
Removing linux-image- 4.15.0- 20-generic (4.15.0-20.21) ... postrm. d/initramfs- tools: img-4.15. 0-20-generic postrm. d/zz-update- grub: unsigned- 4.15.0- 20-generic. image-unsigned- 4.15.0- 20-generic_ 4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7_ppc64el. deb ... unsigned- 4.15.0- 20-generic (4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7) ... modules- 4.15.0- 20-generic_ 4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7_ppc64el. deb ... 4.15.0- 20-generic (4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7) over (4.15.0-20.21) ... modules- extra-4. 15.0-20- generic_ 4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7_ppc64el. deb ... extra-4. 15.0-20- generic (4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7) over (4.15.0-20.21) ... 4.15.0- 20-generic (4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7) ... unsigned- 4.15.0- 20-generic (4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7) ... 4.15.0- 20-generic img.old is now a symlink to initrd. img-4.15. 0-20-generic 4.15.0- 20-generic img-4.15. 0-20-generic extra-4. 15.0-20- generic (4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7) ... unsigned- 4.15.0- 20-generic (4.15.0- 20.23~lp1770003 +build. 7) ... postinst. d/initramfs- tools: img-4.15. 0-20-generic ast_dp501_ fw.bin for module ast postinst. d/zz-update- grub: 4.15.0- 20-generic img-4.15. 0-20-generic
W: Removing the running kernel
W: Last kernel image has been removed, so removing the default symlinks
/etc/kernel/
update-initramfs: Deleting /boot/initrd.
/etc/kernel/
Generating grub configuration file ...
done
Selecting previously unselected package linux-image-
(Reading database ... 64752 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack .../linux-
Unpacking linux-image-
Preparing to unpack .../linux-
Unpacking linux-modules-
Preparing to unpack .../linux-
Unpacking linux-modules-
Setting up linux-modules-
Setting up linux-image-
I: /boot/vmlinux.old is now a symlink to vmlinux-
I: /boot/initrd.
I: /boot/vmlinux is now a symlink to vmlinux-
I: /boot/initrd.img is now a symlink to initrd.
Setting up linux-modules-
Processing triggers for linux-image-
/etc/kernel/
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/
/etc/kernel/
Generating grub configuration file ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinux-
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.
done
ubuntu@dradis:~$ sudo reboot
ubuntu@dradis:~$ uname -a build.7- Ubuntu SMP Thu May 10 14:31:31 UTC 2018 ppc64le ppc64le ppc64le GNU/Linux
Linux dradis 4.15.0-20-generic #23~lp1770003+
ubuntu@dradis:~$ sudo modprobe qla2xxx
ubuntu@dradis:~$ lsmod | grep qla2xxx
qla2xxx 929342 0
nvme_fc 37652 1 qla2xxx
scsi_transport_fc 66824 1 qla2xxx
ubuntu@dradis:~$