Linux Advanced

What is Linux Kernel Module?

A piece of code that can be loaded into the kernel at runtime to extend functionality without rebooting, such as device drivers and filesystems.

Kernel modules are dynamically loadable extensions that add functionality to the Linux kernel without recompilation or reboot. Common modules include device drivers (for network cards, GPUs, USB devices), filesystem support (NTFS, exFAT), and network protocols. Commands include lsmod (list loaded modules), modprobe (load a module with dependency handling), rmmod (remove a module), and modinfo (show module details). Module parameters can be set at load time or via /etc/modprobe.d/ configuration files. The DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support) framework automatically rebuilds third-party modules when the kernel is updated.