LFCS · Question #744
You are running Linux 2.0.36 and you need to add a USB mouse to your system. Which of the following statements is true?
The correct answer is B. You need to upgrade the kernel. Linux kernel 2.0.36, released in 1998, predates widespread and stable USB support in the kernel, thus requiring a kernel upgrade for modern USB device functionality.
Question
Options
- AYou need to rebuild the kernel.
- BYou need to upgrade the kernel
- CYou need to load the USB modules for your existing modular kernel.
- DUSB support is not available in Linux.
How the community answered
(31 responses)- A3% (1)
- B87% (27)
- C6% (2)
- D3% (1)
Why each option
Linux kernel 2.0.36, released in 1998, predates widespread and stable USB support in the kernel, thus requiring a kernel upgrade for modern USB device functionality.
While rebuilding might be an option with a newer kernel source, the fundamental issue with 2.0.36 is the lack of core USB support, which a rebuild alone won't provide.
Linux kernel 2.0.x series, released between 1996 and 1998, had very preliminary or no stable support for USB devices. Stable and robust USB support was introduced in later kernel series (e.g., 2.2.x, 2.4.x), making a kernel upgrade necessary to properly support a USB mouse.
Even if the kernel was modular, the necessary USB drivers and core USB stack would likely not exist or be stable in the 2.0.36 kernel version to simply load as modules.
USB support did eventually become available in Linux, but not reliably in the 2.0.x series.
Concept tested: Linux kernel USB support history
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