lkml.org 
[lkml]   [2003]   [Sep]   [2]   [last100]   RSS Feed
Views: [wrap][no wrap]   [headers]  [forward] 
 
Messages in this thread
/
From
SubjectRe: Driver Model
Date
Before I posted my original question I read Patrick's very helpful overview of 
the Driver Model (www.amc.com.au/lca/loopback/papers/
Patrick_Mochel/Patrick_Mochel.pdf).

The reason I posed the question, as a newcomer to kernel development, moving
from WIN32 DDK development (sorry!) to Linux is that I was very surprised by
the module interface.

Would a more rigid 'plugin' interface and the concequent move from mainly
'source' modules to binary 'plugins' (still with source-code available for
all to see) mean that (a) Kernel was smaller (2) Had to be
released/recompiled less (4) Was EVEN more stable and (4) 'plugins' were more
portable across releases and easier to install ?

I love Linux but this seems to be holding it back...

James



On Tuesday 02 Sep 2003 10:29 pm, Patrick Mochel wrote:
> > 1. Will the move to a more uniform driver model in 2.6 increase the
> > chances of a given binary driver working with a 2.6+ kernel.
>
> Not necessarily. A binary driver still needs to be compiled for a specific
> version of a kernel. And, if it's not already working, the new driver
> model definitely won't help. :)
>
> > 2. Will the new model reduce the use/need for kernel modules. Would this
> > be a good thing if functionality could be implemented in a driver instead
> > of a module.
>
> No, it will not reduce usage of modules. The driver model has nothing to
> do with whether something is compiled as a module or not.
>
> > 3. Will the practice of deliberately breaking some binary only 'tainted'
> > modules prevent take up of Linux. Isn't this taking things too far?
>
> This is a loaded question, but ultimately it's a vendor issue. Most people
> do and will use vendor kernels. What they do with their kernel interfaces
> and how well they support binary modules is their beef.
>
>
> Pat

-
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in
the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org
More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
Please read the FAQ at http://www.tux.org/lkml/

\
 
 \ /
  Last update: 2005-03-22 13:48    [W:0.100 / U:0.036 seconds]
©2003-2020 Jasper Spaans|hosted at Digital Ocean and TransIP|Read the blog|Advertise on this site