[SOLVED] Why can the module “r8152” still be loaded after the driver “r8152.ko” was deleted?

Matthew Wai · 01-01-2024, 06:38 AM

I have a USB RTL8152 network adapter, which uses the “r8152” driver.
I just did the following test:

(1) I deleted "/var/lib/dkms/backport-ethernet/1.0.4/5.10.0-amd64-desktop/x86_64/module/r8152.ko"
(2) I deleted "/var/lib/dkms/backport-ethernet/original_module/5.10.0-amd64-desktop/x86_64/r8152.ko"
(3) I rebooted the PC.
(4) Now, I can still access the Internet via the RTL8152 adapter because “r8152” has been loaded as per the output of “lsmod”.

Does anyone know why “r8152” can still be loaded after “r8152.ko” was deleted? I have never installed "r8152" since I installed UnionTech OS.

Code:

Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$ lsmod | grep 8152
r8152                 245760  0

biker_rat · 01-01-2024, 07:37 AM

r8152 module is part of my normal 6.6.8 kernel, so possibly it is enabled in your kernel config too and you don't need dkms?

Matthew Wai · 01-01-2024, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biker_rat

r8152 module is part of my normal 6.6.8 kernel, so possibly it is enabled in your kernel config too and you don't need dkms?

How can I find out whether it has been enabled in my kernel configuration?

Code:

Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$ uname -rsm
Linux 5.10.0-amd64-desktop x86_64

GlennsPref · 01-02-2024, 12:37 AM

Hi, you can/may blacklist the module by creating a file...

in /etc/moprobe.d/<file-name.conf>

/etc/modprobe.d/r8152-blacklist.conf

Code:

# blacklist r8152
blacklist r8152

note: some modules are dependants of other modules, maybe not in this case, but if you get multiple module loading failures, it could be this reason.

I hope this helps.

Matthew Wai · 01-02-2024, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennsPref

Hi, you can/may blacklist the module

I already know how to blacklist a driver, but I don't mean to do so.

GlennsPref · 01-02-2024, 02:15 AM

The loaded modules are in /lib/modules/6.5.0-0.deb12.4-amd64/kernel/ on my box.

your module is listed there.

/lib/modules/6.5.0-0.deb12.4-amd64/modules.order and modules.dep and maybe others the module is listed.

If it is really important to get it out of the system, configuring and compiling the kernel sources may be a better fit for your situation.

saw this... https://www.baeldung.com/linux/list-...kernel-modules

___ · 01-02-2024, 03:03 AM

grep 8152 /boot/config-`uname -r`
CONFIG_USB_RTL8152=? m or y?

biker_rat · 01-02-2024, 06:29 AM

ls /boot
pick out name of your config in boot
then what above guy said
ie:
grep 8152 /boot/nameofyourconfigfileinbootdirectory

Sauerland · 01-02-2024, 11:09 AM

deleted

Matthew Wai · 01-02-2024, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennsPref

The loaded modules are in /lib/modules/6.5.0-0.deb12.4-amd64/kernel/ on my box.

"r8152" cannot be found although it has been loaded. See below:

Code:

Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$ lsmod | grep "r8152"
r8152                 245760  0
Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$ sudo find /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/ -name "8152.*"
[sudo] password for Matthew_Wai: 
Verification successful
Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$ sudo find /usr/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/ -name "8152.*"
Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennsPref

If it is really important to get it out of the system, configuring and compiling the kernel sources may be a better fit for your situation.

There is misunderstanding.
I don't want to get it out. I want to find out where it is located. I am just curious to know.

Matthew Wai · 01-02-2024, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ___

grep 8152 /boot/config-`uname -r`
CONFIG_USB_RTL8152=? m or y?

What does "=m" mean in the following output?

Code:

Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$ sudo cat /boot/config-$(uname -r)|grep 8152
[sudo] password for Matthew_Wai: 
CONFIG_USB_RTL8152=m
Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$

___ · 01-03-2024, 12:41 AM

m means module. Not built into kernel. modprobe/insmod would load/unload it.

Your find -name needs a *8.... because it doesn't begin with an 8!

Code:

$  find /usr/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/ -name "*8152.*"
/usr/lib/modules/5.15.0-91-generic/kernel/drivers/net/usb/r8152.ko

That's different than /var/lib/dkms/backport-ethernet/...
(IDK about that but a web-search of "dkms/backport-ethernet" finds your https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest....php?p=6406608)

I'd suggest (after sudo updatedb): locate r8152.ko

Matthew Wai · 01-03-2024, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ___

Your find -name needs a *8.... because it doesn't begin with an 8!

Thank you! I have found it. See below:

Code:

Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$ lsmod | grep "r8152"
r8152                 245760  0
Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$ sudo find /usr/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/ -name "*8152.*"
[sudo] password for Matthew_Wai: 
Verification successful
/usr/lib/modules/5.10.0-amd64-desktop/updates/ethernet-dkms/drivers/net/usb/r8152.ko
Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$ sudo find /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/ -name "*8152.*"
/lib/modules/5.10.0-amd64-desktop/updates/ethernet-dkms/drivers/net/usb/r8152.ko
Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$ sudo rmmod r8152 
Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$ lsmod | grep "r8152"
Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$ sudo find /usr/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/ -name "*8152.*"
/usr/lib/modules/5.10.0-amd64-desktop/updates/ethernet-dkms/drivers/net/usb/r8152.ko
Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$ sudo find /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/ -name "*8152.*"
/lib/modules/5.10.0-amd64-desktop/updates/ethernet-dkms/drivers/net/usb/r8152.ko
Matthew_Wai@My-PC:~$

Sauerland · 01-03-2024, 10:33 AM

Code:

/lib/modules/5.10.0-amd64-desktop/updates/ethernet-dkms/drivers/net/usb/r8152.ko

It is installed.
I do not know how you have installed it....... apt?
Delete it with the proper command.

PS
all *.ko in the /lib/modules/xxxxxxxxx/updates directory will be copied on next kernel update to the new directory /lib/modules/yyyyy/weak-updates directory.

Thats why I build the drivers as rpm for openSUSE only for the kernel delivered with the Installation-DVD.

Matthew Wai · 01-07-2024, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sauerland

I do not know how you have installed it....... apt?

I have never installed it.
I booted my PC into a live session, in which the said adapter worked properly, as the driver was already loaded.