Kernel Modules and Device Drivers

In Linux

LDD3: Chapters 1 & 2

Questions to answer

• What are devices and drivers?
• What are Linux kernel modules?
• How are these concepts related?

What is a device?

• Examples: screen, keyboard, mouse, network interface, printer
• The "organs" of the computer
• A component of the computer that the cpu can interact with electronically

What is a device driver?

• Bridge OS/Hardware gap
• Allow users to talk to device
• OS ↔ driver ↔ CPU ↔ devices

Overview

http://haifux.org/lectures/86-sil/kernel-modules-drivers/kernel-modules-drivers.html

What is a Kernel Module

• Snippet of code that can be added to a running kernel

Why Kernel Modules for Device Drivers?

• Keep kernel text/data minimal
  • Less error surface
• More customization
  • Can add hardware at runtime
• Easier to develop
  • Change text/data without reboot

The End