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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 DeviceDrivers 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 CDROMs, or the PPP or IPv6 network protocols).

See KernelErrorMessages for some errors related to modules, and ModuleInitTools for information about modules with the upcoming LinuxKernel2.6.