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The module-init-tools are a set of programs for loading, inserting, and removing Kernel Modules for Linux (versions 2.5.48 and above). It serves the same function that the modutils package serves for Linux 2.4.

Installing ModuleInitTools - a word of Warning

You might have ModuleInitTools already installed without knowing it. The ModuleInitTools can coexist with modutils on the same machine. The old modutils binaries will have .old (or .modutils for DebianLinux users) appended to their names, and will be called by the ModuleInitTools equivalents if a 2.4 series Kernel is detected. Most modern distributions are already set up this way. If this is the case then the make moveold target of the ModuleInitTools MakeFile will destroy your setup! The make install target is harmless, you can use it to upgrade your ModuleInitTools without affecting the old modutils.

Indications that ModuleInitTools are already installed

  • There is a modprobe.old or __modprobe.modutils binary in your path.
  • There is a man modprobe.old (or modprobe.modutils) page.
  • depmod --version displays "module-init-tools ..."
  • depmod --help displays two sets of usage messages. (One for ModuleInitTools and one for modutils.)