Request: Enable modprobe tun kernel module for Tailscale Subnet Router

Operating System ZimaOS
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1

Hi everyone,

I’m an enthusiast using ZimaOS for my home lab setup, and I’m facing a connectivity issue that seems to be related to a missing kernel module.

I’m trying to use the Tailscale Docker container as a Subnet Router to connect two different physical locations (Mexico and Uruguay) and allow their local networks to communicate. The Subnet Router feature works by creating a virtual network interface (tailscale0) on the host system.

When I run the Tailscale container in --privileged mode on my ZimaOS device, I get the following error:

Bashmodprobe: FATAL: Module tun not found in directory /lib/modules/6.12.25

This error indicates that the tun kernel module, which is essential for creating virtual network interfaces for VPNs, is not present or enabled in the ZimaOS kernel. Without this module, the Tailscale container cannot create the necessary tailscale0 interface, which is why I’m unable to route traffic between my subnets.

I understand that ZimaOS is a self-contained system, but enabling this module would significantly enhance its networking capabilities and allow users to leverage powerful tools like Tailscale’s Subnet Router feature for secure and robust network topologies.

Could the development team please consider enabling or including the tun kernel module in a future ZimaOS update? This small change would unlock a lot of potential for network routing and VPN functionality for the community.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

2

The tun module is built directly into the kernel, it is not in /lib/modules/6.12.25, and after my testing, the tailscale in the app store can be used.

3

Hello,

I ran the following commands from the terminal to check for the module’s availability, and here are the results:

  • To check if the module is loaded:
    lsmod | grep tun
    Result: No output.

  • To try and load the module:
    sudo modprobe tun
    Result: modprobe: FATAL: Module tun not found in directory /lib/modules/6.12.25

  • To confirm if the module file exists on the system:
    find /lib/modules/$(uname -r) -name “tun.ko*”
    Result: No output.

Based on these results, it appears the tun module is not available in the kernel, and the tun.ko file is not present in the /lib/modules directory.
Because of this, Tailscale can’t function in full host mode. It defaults to a user-agent mode, which prevents it from being used as a subnet router or with other features that require the tun module.

Is it possible to enable this module on my device?

Thank you for your help.

4

If I have to use a modular way to load it, I think I can adjust it in the next version.

1 Like
5

Great, thanks.

6

In the new 1.5.0 version, tun.ko has become a kernel module, and you can retest it to see if Tailscale is already available.

7

Thanks, now it’s working.

8

Hello everyone,

I’m having trouble getting Tailscale to work on my ZimaOS. I installed it from the app store, but I believe I need to configure it so I can access my server from outside my local network.

Can someone help me, perhaps by sharing a video link or a tutorial to walk me through the setup? I appreciate any assistance. Thank you in advance.