010-160 · Question #71
Which of the following statements regarding Linux hardware drivers is correct?
The correct answer is E. Drivers are either compiled into the Linux kernel or are loaded as kernel modules. Linux hardware drivers are integrated into the kernel either at compile time as built-in code or dynamically at runtime as loadable kernel modules (.ko files). They do not function as user-space programs or rely on BIOS for hardware access.
Question
Options
- ADrivers are regular Linux programs which have to be run by the user who wants to use a device.
- BDrivers are not used by Linux because the BIOS handles all access to hardware on behalf of Linux.
- CDrivers are stored on their devices and are copied by the Linux kernel when a new device is attached
- DDrivers are downloaded from the vendor's driver repository when a new device is attached.
- EDrivers are either compiled into the Linux kernel or are loaded as kernel modules.
How the community answered
(16 responses)- A6% (1)
- C6% (1)
- E88% (14)
Why each option
Linux hardware drivers are integrated into the kernel either at compile time as built-in code or dynamically at runtime as loadable kernel modules (.ko files). They do not function as user-space programs or rely on BIOS for hardware access.
Drivers are not regular user-space programs - they run in kernel space with full hardware access privileges and cannot be executed by a normal user.
The BIOS provides only low-level firmware initialization - the Linux kernel uses its own drivers to communicate directly with hardware after boot.
Drivers are not stored on the devices themselves - they reside in the kernel or as module files on the host filesystem, typically under /lib/modules/.
Linux does not automatically download drivers from vendor repositories when a device is attached - driver acquisition and installation is a separate administrative action, unlike some other operating systems.
Linux drivers operate in kernel space and can be statically compiled into the kernel image itself or packaged as loadable kernel modules that can be inserted and removed at runtime using tools like modprobe or insmod. This dual approach allows a minimal kernel image while still supporting a wide range of hardware through on-demand module loading. The kernel's module subsystem manages dependencies and loading order.
Concept tested: Linux kernel driver and module architecture
Source: https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/driver-api/index.html
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