Insmod

insmod is a command-line utility for inserting a loadable kernel module into a running Linux kernel. It is part of the kernel module management toolset and is typically located in /sbin. The command takes a path to a module file, normally with a .ko extension, and loads it into memory so the kernel can begin using its code and symbols.

Syntax and parameters: insmod [options] module.ko [param=value ...] The module's parameters are exposed as module.parameter in the installed module; parameters supply initial configuration for the module.

Behavior and dependency handling: insmod performs relocation of the module image and registers it with the kernel. It does not resolve or auto-load dependencies; if the module requires symbols from other modules that are not yet loaded, the load will fail with an Unknown symbol error.

Dependency resolution and safer loading: For dependency resolution and to ensure all needed modules are loaded in the correct order, use modprobe instead of insmod. Modprobe consults the system’s module database to locate and load dependencies.

Usage caveats and unloading: Loading requires elevated privileges (root). To remove a module, use rmmod or modprobe -r; insmod does not provide an unload operation.

See also: modprobe, rmmod, lsmod.