I don't know / haven't found a way to configure mcp251x module without patching and recompiling the kernel.
The hardware is an UP-module from AAEON, with additional Pi-Shield-CAN-bus module (mcp2515) connected via the HAT40-IF.
Details regarding the used hardware and OS:
hostnamectl
Static hostname: werntestw-UPS-EHL01
Icon name: computer-desktop
Chassis: desktop
Machine ID: b7b20e4899ff41b6b82e7bdfb4a39054
Boot ID: 2bff368ceb854df391bbd840e472974d
Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS
Kernel: Linux 6.8.0-47-generic
Architecture: x86-64
Hardware Vendor: AAEON
Hardware Model: UPS-EHL01
$ sudo modprobe mcp251x # not reporting any errors
$ lsmod | grep 'pin\|can\|spi'
can_dev 53248 1 mcp251x
pinctrl_upboard 32768 0
pwm_upboard 12288 1 pinctrl_upboard
spi_nor 163840 0
mtd 98304 3 spi_nor,cmdlinepart
spi_pxa2xx_platform 40960 0
spi_intel_pci 12288 0
spi_intel 32768 1 spi_intel_pci
spidev 28672 0
pinctrl_elkhartlake 24576 4
In the past (using kernel 5.4.0-1-generic) there was a solution, by using platform board code (mcp_kernel.ko).
At the moment I found a solution by doing some changes and recompiling the kernel (building my own one), but I am looking for a solution where I don't need to recompile the kernel after every Ubuntu kernel update. (btw: On Raspbian Linux ( arm-based ) there is used device tree ).
