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In computer software, a [Module] means an optional piece of code that isn't required for a program to run, but can be loaded when needed.

When talking about the [Linux] [Kernel], it means a Driver or other piece of code that the kernel can load and use on request. Examples include [DeviceDriver]s for various pieces of hardware that aren't required for the computer to boot and work (such as sound card or graphics card drivers), and modules for various network protocols and disk formats that might not be used very often, so don't need to be loaded in memory all the time (such as the ISO-9660 disk format used by [CDROM]s, or the [PPP] or [IPv6] network protocols).

!Working with modules

To load a module into memory the format of the command is:
<pre>
modprobe modulename
</pre>

To remove a module from memory the format of the command is:
<pre>
modprobe -r modulename
</pre>
NB You cannot always remove a module, especially if in use or module removing has not been compiled into the [Kernel]

To see a list of all modules installed on the system:
<pre>
modprobe -l
</pre>
NB this does not show the modules running on the system. To do this type:
<pre>
lsmod
</pre>

!Kernel options for modules.
There are a number of options you can alter for modules you can alter when building the kernel under "Loadable Modules Support" that may be use for you if you are [Kernel] developer.

!Configuring modules
On DebianLinux (and possibly others) you can use the program modconf to configure module options.

----
See also KernelErrorMessages for some errors related to modules, and ModuleInitTools for information about modules with [LinuxKernel2.6].

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Version 4, saved on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 2:36:27 pm by IanMcDonald

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