Is Kernel module is the same as a device driver? Post: 302519073

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Operating Systems Linux Fedora Is Kernel module is the same as a device driver? Post 302519073 by Corona688 on Tuesday 3rd of May 2011 02:00:04 AM

05-03-2011

Registered User

lsmod shows which modules are using what other modules, though not as a tree.

It's not always as simple as one module for one device. USB needs a whole bunch of modules to do anything, plus sometimes device-specific things on top of the generic drivers -- but then again, sometimes the generic ones are enough. Sound also takes a bunch of interdependent modules to work.

There's also modules that don't do anything device-related -- like a module to let the kernel understand ext4 filesystems.

So it's really not the same thing, but often close enough for most purposes.

These modules can also be built right into the kernel, instead of being loaded from a file, too. It's possible to create a kernel that loads no modules for anything, ever. You can even build parts of a set of modules into the kernel and leave part of it out. This is sometimes important for things like ALSA, where you might want to replace some modules with updated ones later, but need certain basic parts built in.

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LEARN ABOUT FREEBSD

sbp_targ

SBP_TARG(4)						   BSD Kernel Interfaces Manual 					       SBP_TARG(4)

NAME

     sbp_targ -- Serial Bus Protocol 2 (SBP-2) Target Mode devices driver

SYNOPSIS

     To compile this driver into the kernel, place the following lines in your kernel configuration file:

	   device sbp_targ
	   device firewire
	   device scbus
	   device targ

     Alternatively, to load the driver as a module at boot time, place the following lines in loader.conf(5):

	   firewire_load="YES"
	   cam_load="YES"
	   sbp_targ_load"YES"

DESCRIPTION

     The sbp_targ driver provides support for SBP-2 target mode.  This driver is supposed to work with cam(4), targ(4) and firewire(4).  You also
     need to use scsi_target(8), which can be found in /usr/share/examples/scsi_target, to provide actual devices.

EXAMPLES

	   # mdconfig -a -t malloc -s 10m
	   md0
	   # scsi_target 0:0:0 /dev/md0
	   (Assuming sbp_targ0 on scbus0)

SEE ALSO

     cam(4), firewire(4), targ(4), camcontrol(8), fwcontrol(8), kldload(8), scsi_target(8)

AUTHORS

     The sbp_targ driver was written by Hidetoshi Shimokawa.

BUGS

     This driver is currently under development.  It does not work correctly in multi-initiator environments or after the bus topology has been
     changed.

BSD
								 November 7, 2003							       BSD