How to find out what module a device needs?

Farkuldi · 08-13-2013, 10:46 PM

Hi,

I'm sure this is a simple question, but when I google something like "how to find out what kernel module I need linux," everything that comes up answers a slightly different question. I know how to use lsmod and modinfo to get information about modules that are already loaded, but what if I have a device that uses a module I do not have loaded? How do I find out what kernel module it is supposed to be using?

Say I have lspci output including the following

Code:

00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation Panther Point High Definition Audio Controller (rev 04)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Panther Point PCI Express Root Port 1 (rev c4)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Panther Point PCI Express Root Port 2 (rev c4)
00:1d.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation Panther Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #1 (rev 04)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation Panther Point LPC Controller (rev 04)
00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation Panther Point 6 port SATA Controller [AHCI mode] (rev 04)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation Panther Point SMBus Controller (rev 04)
00:1f.6 Signal processing controller: Intel Corporation Panther Point Thermal Management Controller (rev 04)
02:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation Centrino Advanced-N 6235 (rev 24)

What is the best way to look up what driver I need for my network card,for instance, or my audio controller?

Information appreciated.

Drumachine · 08-14-2013, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farkuldi

What is the best way to look up what driver I need for my network card,for instance, or my audio controller?

I think the only real way to find out is by visiting the device manufacturer's website And finding the driver required from there.

Farkuldi · 08-14-2013, 09:24 AM

So you're saying that manufacturers routinely list which linux kernel module their device is going to use? Somehow I don't think so. I would think there would be something in the kernel documentation about which devices are supported by the modules these guys write. But I can't find it.

szboardstretcher · 08-14-2013, 09:31 AM

What is the output from:

Code:

cat /proc/asound/card0/codec* | grep -i codec

Or similar, this is for *buntu

Darth Maul · 08-14-2013, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farkuldi

Hi,

I'm sure this is a simple question, but when I google something like "how to find out what kernel module I need linux," everything that comes up answers a slightly different question. I know how to use lsmod and modinfo to get information about modules that are already loaded, but what if I have a device that uses a module I do not have loaded? How do I find out what kernel module it is supposed to be using?

Say I have lspci output including the following

I don't have the answer you are looking for but you can use

Code:

lspci -vv

for a more verbose output of your devices.

This will show the devices and the kernel drivers and modules being used for that device.

There could be a possibility it may also show a device and a module it is trying to load. But don't quote me on that.

Madhu Desai · 08-15-2013, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farkuldi

"how to find out what kernel module I need linux,"

I'm not sure about that too... but as Drumachine has mentioned, probably should check device manufacturer's website.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farkuldi

what if I have a device that uses a module I do not have loaded? How do I find out what kernel module it is supposed to be using?

To get a complete list of all existing kernel module dependencies (regardless of whether kernel modules are loaded or not):

Code:

$ cat /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/modules.dep

More: http://xmodulo.com/2013/01/how-to-ch...-on-linux.html

Drumachine · 08-15-2013, 03:03 AM

If you're running a distribution like Ubuntu, they have a list of all their available kernel modules listed here (this particular link is for Quantal).

http://packages.ubuntu.com/quantal/kernel/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farkuldi

I would think there would be something in the kernel documentation about which devices are supported by the modules these guys write. But I can't find it.

I think it depends on the module.

ndiswrapper for example, has a list on their website of supported and unsupported devices:

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawik...itle=Main_Page

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be this central database of kernel modules you're looking for. Instead, you'll need to investigate each device you have manually, using Google, and see if anything has been written.

P.S. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Madhu Desai · 08-15-2013, 05:10 AM

you can also do the following do find all kernel modules (loaded/unloaded) for particular pci card. In this example, i am using audio controller.

Code:

#### Update from /usr/share/hwdata/pci.ids 
$ sudo update-pciids
Downloaded daily snapshot dated 2013-08-09 03:15:02
	
#### Find device code:
$ lspci -nn | grep -i audio
00:1b.0 Audio device [0403]: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller [8086:27d8] (rev 01)
	
#### Find kernel module for that device code:
$ lspci -vd 8086:27d8 | grep -i kernel
	Kernel driver in use: snd_hda_intel
	
#### Find module path and depended kernel modules that are loaded:
$ modinfo snd_hda_intel | grep -i 'filename\|depends'
filename:       /lib/modules/3.8.0-27-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-intel.ko
depends:        snd-hda-codec,snd-pcm,snd,snd-page-alloc
	
#### Find all modules (main/dependent and loaded/unloaded):
$ grep -i 'snd-hda-intel.ko' /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/modules.dep
kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-intel.ko: kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec.ko kernel/sound/core/snd-hwdep.ko kernel/sound/core/snd-pcm.ko kernel/sound/core/snd-page-alloc.ko kernel/sound/core/snd-timer.ko kernel/sound/core/snd.ko kernel/sound/soundcore.ko