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Anatomy of Linux loadable kernel modules

ibm.com — Linux® loadable kernel modules, introduced in version 1.2 of the kernel, are one of the most important innovations in the Linux kernel. They provide a kernel that is both scalable and dynamic. Discover the ideas behind loadable modules, and learn how these independent objects dynamically become part of the Linux kernel.

Who dugg this? Made popular Jul 26, 2008

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  • infuscomus, on 07/25/2008, -1/+20Very informative and applicable read for anyone curious about the Linux Kernel. I found it very easy to read and understand. Defiantly gives me a deeper respect for how Linux was build and evolved over time.
  • matthewinDRO, on 07/25/2008, -1/+12very well written
  • wolferz, on 07/26/2008, -0/+8I actually expected to not be able to understand that.. at least not fully. Yet i did.

    Very well written article... though (due entirely to subject matter) to full understand it might require a small amount of programing knowledge. You should be able to get the gist of things without any.
  • SmellyGeekBoy, on 07/26/2008, -1/+8It's unusual to see the Registered trademark sign after the word "Linux". Of course it is a registred a trademark, just odd to see someone advertising that fact. Why not, I guess?
  • Stonekeeper, on 07/26/2008, -0/+7oh someone call the waaaaambulance please...
  • nuand, on 07/26/2008, -0/+6Understanding the Linux Kernel ed 3 is a good place to start for people looking to do kernel development. For complete newcomers to Linux kernel dev Robert Love's "Linux Kernel Development" is also a good start. For internet resources look at lwn.net and kerneltrap.org
  • pak314, on 07/26/2008, -0/+6It originally had to be registered a trademark because a long while back someone with no connection to Linux got it trademarked and started to threaten companies with legal action for using the word Linux. A group of Linux related companies and people fought back and returned to Linux Trademark to Linus.

  • proficient, on 07/26/2008, -1/+6Excellent/10.
  • jakbrud, on 07/26/2008, -3/+8Dugg for having the geekiest title ever
  • Murdats, on 07/26/2008, -0/+5@1manshow
    No he was pointing out that using someone elses innovation is not really innovative.

    it is a large step forward though and isnt this the same sort of technology being employed in windows 7
  • rayblasdel, on 07/26/2008, -0/+2Extremely informative... just it gave me a bit of a headache.
  • jimminy, on 07/26/2008, -0/+2This is fascinating stuff, it doesn't hurt to know how operating systems work even if you're not a kernel developer. Gotta love open source...
  • theaceoffire, on 07/26/2008, -0/+2Hopefully.

    I am hoping Windows 7 is smaller, faster, with a new File system and virtual machines to run older programs.
  • 1manshow, on 07/26/2008, -1/+3Are you saying that copying a good design is degrading or somehow lessens the value of system in question? Our society is based on copying good design patterns, hell, our entire existence is based that. It would be sheer stupidity to reinvent the wheel every time.
  • cep59186, on 07/26/2008, -0/+2Dugg for having the geekiest title ever!
  • Beacon, on 07/28/2008, -0/+1Why the buzz about this having such a "geeky title"? It's kind of sad, considering that this is, after all, the Linux/Unix subsection.
  • theaceoffire, on 07/27/2008, -0/+1I personally use Ubuntu, but I am a CS major.

    I will have to work with windows for most of my career, and since I don't expect the whole world to swap to Linux overnight, it would be nice if windows would step up a little.
  • subgeniusd, on 07/26/2008, -1/+1@theaceoffire - Well MSFT gave out similar PR about a bottom up kernel rewrite for Vista with an improved file system and look what was RTM. I would not hold my breath if I were you. And since you stumbled into the Linux area why not check out DistroWatch and try one of the more user friendly distros?
  • tehmoth, on 07/26/2008, -6/+1"Linux® loadable kernel modules, introduced in version 1.2 of the kernel, are (sic) one of the most important innovations in the Linux kernel."
    "Linux is not the only monolithic kernel that can be dynamically altered (and it wasn't the first). You'll find loadable module support in Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) variants, Sun Solaris, in older kernels such as OpenVMS, and other popular operating systems such as Microsoft® Windows® and Apple Mac OS X."

    How very innovative.
  • human2dotcom, on 07/26/2008, -10/+1You're kidding right? This is SO 1994: Novell Netware 4.0 NLM's: "Netware Loadable Modules." Anyone remember?

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