Re: [RFC] Flat /lib/modules/`uname -r`

From: Richard Gooch (rgooch@ras.ucalgary.ca)
Date: Sat Apr 22 2000 - 16:11:50 EDT

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    Ricky Beam writes:
    > On Sat, 22 Apr 2000, Keith Owens wrote:
    > >Cons.
    > >
    > > * modprobe needs to be updated whenever a new /lib/modules/`uname -r`
    > > directory is added or third party code is installed.
    >
    > Modprobe or it's configuration... this is the way software is
    > supposed to work: it does _exactly_ what you tell it to do. [devfs
    > has the same "con" and nobody seems to care.]

    If modutils were updated to automatically scan all subdirectories,
    this and other "cons" would go away.

    > > * Users have to hunt through subdirectories for modules.
    >
    > This is not a "con". There's no way to tell what is what is a
    > directory full of hundreds of files. Say you want to know what
    > network drivers were available as a module... 'ls .../net' is a much
    > better idea.

    Agreed.

    > > * New directories need changes to Makefile as well as sub Makefiles.
    >
    > So? New drivers need changes to Makefile as well. Are you an idiot
    > or just damned lazy?

    Is it really necessary to call him an idiot? Being rude won't help the
    argument.

    > > * A user can recompile a kernel to switch code from module to
    > > builtin. If they do not change the value of `uname -r` and forget
    > > to erase the old /lib/modules/`uname -r` contents, they end up with
    > > obsolete modules. This leads to code that is built into the kernel
    > > but still exists as a module, if the old module is loaded it tends
    > > to crash the kernel.
    >
    > This hasn't one damned thing to do with a flat namespace. If you don't
    > delete it, it's still going to be there... the presence or abscence of
    > sub-directories makes no difference. [This is in the realm of System
    > Administration. If you change the module configuration, you really
    > should clear the directory.]

    Agreed.

    > >All things considered, the cons outweigh the pros.
    >
    > No they don't.

    Agreed.

                                    Regards,

                                            Richard....
    Permanent: rgooch@atnf.csiro.au
    Current: rgooch@ras.ucalgary.ca

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