Cross-Compiled Linux From Scratch - Sysroot - Version SVN-0.0.1-20090726-Alpha

Chapter 6. Installing Basic System Software

6.43. Module-Init-Tools-3.10

The Module-Init-Tools package contains programs for handling kernel modules in Linux kernels greater than or equal to version 2.5.47.

6.43.1. Environment Settings

This package requires compiler variables to be set for the target in the environment. 

export CC="${CLFS_TARGET}-gcc"
export CXX="${CLFS_TARGET}-g++"
export AR="${CLFS_TARGET}-ar"
export AS="${CLFS_TARGET}-as"
export RANLIB="${CLFS_TARGET}-ranlib"
export LD="${CLFS_TARGET}-ld"
export STRIP="${CLFS_TARGET}-strip"

6.43.2. Installation of Module-Init-Tools

Prepare Module-Init-Tools for compilation: 

./configure --build=${CLFS_HOST} --host=${CLFS_TARGET} \
    --prefix=/usr --bindir=/bin \
    --sbindir=/sbin --enable-zlib-dynamic

The meaning of the configure options:

--enable-zlib-dynamic

This allows the Module-Init-Tools package to handle compressed kernel modules.

Compile the package: 

make DOCBOOKTOMAN=

Install the package: 

make DESTDIR=${CLFS} INSTALL=install install

The meaning of the make parameter:

INSTALL=install

Normally, make install will not install the binaries if they already exist. This option overrides that behavior by calling install instead of using the default wrapper script.

6.43.3. Contents of Module-Init-Tools

Installed programs: depmod, insmod, insmod.static, lsmod (link to insmod), modinfo, modprobe (link to insmod), and rmmod (link to insmod)

Short Descriptions

depmod

Creates a dependency file based on the symbols it finds in the existing set of modules; this dependency file is used by modprobe to automatically load the required modules

insmod

Installs a loadable module in the running kernel

insmod.static

A statically compiled version of insmod

lsmod

Lists currently loaded modules

modinfo

Examines an object file associated with a kernel module and displays any information that it can glean

modprobe

Uses a dependency file, created by depmod, to automatically load relevant modules

rmmod

Unloads modules from the running kernel