I am developing a PCI (for Linux 2.6+) driver for some instruments (I have a compiled kernel module .ko file) and I would like to know how to have Linux automatically create the correct /dev node and start the correct .ko file. I know that UDEV is probably the answer to my question, but how do I go about telling Linux the VendorID/DeviceID and matching .ko and /dev node name? I believe there is some rule file that needs to modified?

What I am asking for is the equivalent of an .inf file in Windows, where you can install new hardware and have Windows automatically identify and install (run) the correct device driver.

I have tested the device driver and it works, but I have to manually create my own file in /dev (/dev/HW) and then do an insmod on my .ko file to start the device driver, every time I boot Linux.

Just for some background info, my driver basically manages some memory mapped PCI hardware for my user-mode libraries to access.

Thanks in advance for any help!

I guess a follow up question is how to automate the installation procedure? I am guessing I would need to write a script that will be run once to add the correct VendorID/DeviceID - device driver rules (or whatever is required to solve my inital post to this thread) and possibly compile the kernel mode driver from source? If I am sticking to kernel 2.6.x , do I need to compile from source on any machine I install the driver on?