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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 under Linux

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.

!Module options
Many modules take options when they are loaded. You can use
<pre>
modinfo ''modulename''
</pre>
to see the list of supported options for a particular module.

To specify the options for a module on many [LinuxDistribution]s on a 2.6 series LinuxKernel edit one of the files in the directory <tt>/etc/modutils</tt> and use a line something like:
<pre>
options ov51x led2=0
</pre>
where the above example sets the led2 option to 0 for the ov51x module.

Now run <tt>update-modules</tt> and the options get transferred to the <tt>/etc/modprobe.d</tt> directory and to <tt>/etc/modules.conf</ff>. You will need to unload and then load the module for new parameters to take effect.

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

18 pages link to Module:

Version 6, saved on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 4:44:52 pm by IanMcDonald

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