Is Kernel module is the same as a device driver? Post: 302519658

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Operating Systems Linux Fedora Is Kernel module is the same as a device driver? Post 302519658 by Corona688 on Wednesday 4th of May 2011 02:39:47 PM

05-04-2011

Registered User

I don't think looking at the major numbers in a microscope is going to tell you what you want. The whole point of device files is to not have to care about that; they don't have a whole lot to do with what specific driver is being used. They'll tell you broad things about what class of driver, perhaps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corona688

The kernel knows what a major+minor number means, but this often just deals with generic input layers like "SCSI disk" -- which these days can mean anything from USB to SATA to PATA, not just actual SCSI. That Linux is now able to treat nearly all disks so identically is mostly a good thing -- device names don't mysteriously change from hda to sda anymore -- but also means it doesn't tell you much about which driver's used.

Try lspci -k, that'll tell you what PCI/AGP/PCIE devices are being claimed by what modules. You can also explore the virtual /sys/ directories to find out more about the devices within.

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LEARN ABOUT FREEBSD

urtwnfw

URTWNFW(4)						   BSD Kernel Interfaces Manual 						URTWNFW(4)

NAME

     urtwnfw -- Firmware Module for Realtek Wireless driver

SYNOPSIS

     To compile this module into the kernel, place the following line in your kernel configuration file:

	   device urtwnfw

     This will include three firmware images inside the kernel.  If you want to pick only the firmware image for your network adapter choose one
     of the following:

	   device urtwn-rtl8192cfwT
	   device urtwn-rtl8192cfwU
	   device urtwn-rtl8188eufw

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

	   urtwn-rtl8192cfwT_load="YES"
	   urtwn-rtl8192cfwU_load="YES"
	   urtwn-rtl8188eufw_load="YES"

DESCRIPTION

     This module provides access to firmware sets for the Realtek RTL8188CUS, RTL8188CE-VAU, RTL8188EUS, RTL8188RU and RTL8192CU chip based USB
     WiFi adapters.  It may be statically linked into the kernel, or loaded as a module.

     For the loaded firmware to be enabled for use the license at /usr/share/doc/legal/realtek must be agreed to by adding the following line to
     loader.conf(5):

	   legal.realtek.license_ack=1

FILES

     /usr/share/doc/legal/realtek  urtwnfw firmware license

SEE ALSO

     urtwn(4), firmware(9)

BSD
								  April 25, 2014							       BSD