The Linux Kernel: Modules

[DevynCJohnson]

Series Index - http://www.linux.org/threads/linux-kernel-reading-guide.5384/

Aloha! Now that we have our new kernel installed, we may have a module we wish to manipulate. Modules allow users to get extra hardware support without making a new kernel. For example, if a kernel is made without HFS support, a user can still use the HFS filesystem without making a new kernel.

Just in case you do not fully understand modules, Window's equivalent to Linux's modules are called drivers. As an analogy - Linux is to Windows as module is to driver. However, many people still call modules "drivers". That is fine, people and search engines know what you mean. Sometimes, modules are referred to as Loadable Kernel Modules (LKMs) because they can be loaded without changing the kernel.

Modules are stored under /lib/modules/ this directory has a directory for each installed kernel. The module files themselves end in ".ko" which stands for "Kernel Object".

NOTE: Not all “.ko” files are modules. Linux also uses “.ko” for Linux's analogy of Window's “.dll” files.

To access the module directory (via command-line) of the currently active kernel, type this command - /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/. The "$(uname -r)" will be replaced by the output of "uname -r", so the user does not need to know or memorize the name/version of the active kernel. This folder is well organized. In ./kernel/, these are the following directories.

arch - Architecture specific modules

crypto - Cryptography modules

drivers - Many modules are stored here and are sorted by hardware type. For example, ATA modules are under the "ata" folder.

fs - Filesystem modules are kept here. For instance, the module file for the Minix filesystem is /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/fs/minix/minix.ko

lib - The library routines are stored under this directory

mm - Modules for managing memory and debugging the kernel are stored here

net - Network modules are stored here

sound - This is an obvious one

Some other folders may exist. For instance, I have a "ubuntu" directory which contains modules specific to Ubuntu or were added by the Ubuntu developers.

When managing modules, Root privileges must be used. So, use "sudo" or login as Root.

To load a module, use this command (when logged in as Root. Otherwise, remember sudo.)

modprobe <MODULE>

For illustration, to use the HFS+ filesystem, load its module.

modprobe hfsplus

Include the "-v" parameter for verbose messaging and "-s" sends error messages to the syslog. To see what modules the desired module requires, use "--show-depends" as a parameter. To remove a module, use "-r".

To get information about a module, use the "modinfo <MODULE>" command. You may notice information about aliases. Some modules have an alias which can be used to reference the module. The real name and alias each work well. Use which ever you remember better.

The "lsmod" command lists the currently load modules. This is helpful when users need to ensure a module is loaded.

Some modules can be given special parameters before they are loaded. To view these parameters (and aliases) for a specific module, use this command

modprobe -c | grep <MODULE>

To set a parameter for a module at runtime (the module is already running/loaded), use this command

insmod MODULE PARAM_NAME=VALUE

If you wish to load a module and also set the parameter at the same time, use this command

modprobe MODULE PARAM_NAME=VALUE

Alternately, parameters can be set at runtime be changing files in /sys/module/. For illustration, to change a parameter for a bluetooth module, use something like this

sudo echo -n "VALUE" > /sys/module/bluetooth/parameters/FILENAME

If a module has issues loading, like an "unknown symbol error", the module may still be able to be loaded by using the "-f" parameter. Use this parameter with caution.

modprobe -f <MODULE>

To load modules from different kernel versions, use the same command above after you copy the module to the active kernel's module path. Or, try

insmod /PATH/TO/MODULE.ko

Now, you can enjoy your kernel even more with module manipulation.

 

[cenyebin]

Good . I understood much afer reading this .thanks.

 

[童章彬]

To set a parameter for a module at runtime (the module is already running/loaded), use this command

Code:
insmod MODULE PARAM_NAME=VALUE

这个只能在初始化的时候才能添加参数吧，已经加载后，应该不能通过insmod添加参数。

 

[DevynCJohnson]

To set a parameter for a module at runtime (the module is already running/loaded), use this command

Code:
insmod MODULE PARAM_NAME=VALUE

这个只能在初始化的时候才能添加参数吧，已经加载后，应该不能通过insmod添加参数。

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Eido Askayo]

Thank you very much for this straightforward article.
The analogies to Windows really helped me to understand some of your statements.