hi there,

Could anyone explain to me the reason it is necessary to recompile drivers after upgrading to a new kernel.

My understanding is that because the driver uses kernel libraries and subroutines, it must be compiled against the libraries of the current kernel, in order to work. I'm trying to understand the mechanisms by which this happens.

If the old kernel version isn't much different to the new version, and kernel libraries used by the driver haven't changed, why is it still necessary? Is it a question of "linking" the driver, or pointing the driver to the new libraries? What does linking the driver to the kernel actually mean and involve.

Hopefully that makes some sense!

Thanks for the help

The kernel doesn't have libraries (like an application) but it does have header (.h) files that define structures used in the kernel, as well as the interface modules use to communicate with other parts of the kernel. In each kernel the addresses defined by these structures move around slightly, as a result of code changes. These slight changes are resolved when the kernel is rebuilt.

Attempting to use an old kernel module would result in failures, as some of the addresses would be pointing to the wrong place. To prevent that from happening, the kernel module loader has a mechanism that detects that the kernel module was built for a different kernel, and will refuse to use it.

hi, thanks for your clear and concise reply. another quick question if i may, regarding the kernel's addressing system. do these addresses relate to physical addressing (ie memory locations allocated to kernel structures at boot time, or disk locations, where structures have been installed) or is it an internal scheme used by the kernel to map and track itself correctly? Is this related to the System.map file found in the boot directory, for which each kernel has one?

Many thanks again!

They are memory locations. The System.map is related; Wikipedia has a clear description. It is rebuilt each time the kernel is built, for they same reason; the addresses change.

excellent! its all beggining to make sense! time to do some proper reading i think