Re: Hardwired drivers are going away?

Mr. James W. Laferriere
2002-01-14T19:02:52Z

Hello Alan ,

On Mon, 14 Jan 2002, Alan Cox wrote:
> > 1. security, if you don't need any modules you can disable modules entirly
> > and then it's impossible to add a module without patching the kernel first
> > (the module load system calls aren't there)
>
> Urban legend.
I do not agree . Got proof ? Yes that is a valid question .

> > 2. speed, there was a discussion a few weeks ago pointing out that there
> > is some overhead for useing modules (far calls need to be used just in
> > case becouse the system can't know where the module will be located IIRC)
> I defy you to measure it on x86
OK ,How about sparc-64/alpha/ia64/... ?

> > 3. simplicity in building kernels for other machines. with a monolithic
> > kernel you have one file to move (and a bootloader to run) with modules
> > you have to move quite a few more files.
> tar or nfs mount; make modules_install.
Please my laugh'o meter is stuck already . Sorry . JimL

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