Kernel Module

Definitions

1. A piece of code that can be dynamically loaded into or unloaded from a running operating system kernel, extending its functionality without requiring a reboot — commonly used for device drivers and filesystems.

   In plain English: A plug-in for the core of your operating system that you can add or remove while the computer is running, like installing an extension in a browser but for hardware support.

   Example: "insmod nvidia.ko and pray. If the kernel panics, at least you know the module version doesn't match."

Related Terms

• Linux
• Kernel
• Device Driver
• Interrupt Handler
• DMA
• Bash
• Kernel Space
• Loadable Module
• Swappiness
• Systemd
• Udev
• User Space
• X11
• BPF Security
• Linux Kernel Community
• Linux Kernel Module