Very Computer

by **Mohammed Khalid Ansar** » Sun, 01 Apr 2001 16:43:09

Hi,

Will someone answer the following queries...

Is the driver compiled in the kernel itseld or it is just the
support?

Is the support for a device in the kernel different for different
devices under the same category, like sound device is a category while
there are different cards available in the market, does it mean that
drivers for each card must be compiled in the kernel.

Is it true that one driver in the kernel supports many types of
the cards under the same category.

One main question...

What are the relations among device file, device driver and the
support (for the device in the kernel). How they fit in the Linux?

Please let me know as soon as possible.

--

**************************************************************************

Mohammed Khalid Ansari Tel (res) : 0091-022-3051360
Visiting Software Engineer (off) : 0091-022-2024641
National Centre for Software Technology Fax : 0091-022-2049573

Mumbai 400021. HomePage : www.khalidansari.com

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by **Christian Garm** » Sun, 01 Apr 2001 19:30:22

Quote:> Will someone answer the following queries...

yes.

Quote:> Is the driver compiled in the kernel itseld or it is just the
> support?

It depends on your setup. If you install a distro like RedHat, the setup
will install a kernel with all drivers compiled as modules. Some people
don't like this for security reasons and choose to build an own Linux
kernel with only few drivers in the kernel.

The meaning of 'support' in this context is the driver for the specific
hardware. You can build it into the kernel or as a loadable module
(as far as you activate 'loadable kernel module support')

Quote:> there are different cards available in the market, does it mean that
> drivers for each card must be compiled in the kernel.

No, only for the hardware/cards you have or you want to support.

Quote:> Is it true that one driver in the kernel supports many types of
> the cards under the same category.

Yes, e.g. the NE2000 ISA clones operates all with the NE2000 driver.

Quote:> What are the relations among device file, device driver and the
> support (for the device in the kernel). How they fit in the Linux?

device driver == support

device file (you mean that /dev/... thingie) is the interface between the
kernel and the driver.

--
regards,

Very Computer

supprt of devices and drivers in the kernel

supprt of devices and drivers in the kernel

supprt of devices and drivers in the kernel