depmod
generate kernel module dependency files
TLDR
SYNOPSIS
depmod [-aAenvw] [-b basedir] [-F System.map] [-C config] [kernelversion_]depmod [options] modulefiles_...
DESCRIPTION
depmod generates module dependency files (modules.dep and related files) used by modprobe to load kernel modules and their dependencies automatically. It analyzes all modules in the kernel module directory and determines their interdependencies.The tool scans module files for exported and required symbols, building a dependency tree. This information allows modprobe to load prerequisite modules automatically when a module is requested.depmod is typically run automatically during kernel installation or module updates. The generated files are stored in /lib/modules/<kernel_version>/.
PARAMETERS
KERNELVERSION_
Kernel version to process. Defaults to the running kernel (`uname -r`).-a, --all
Probe all modules. Enabled by default when no filenames are given.-A, --quick
Exit silently unless a module is newer than modules.dep.-b, --basedir DIR
Prepend DIR to /lib/modules/<version>; useful for staging roots.-o, --outdir DIR
Write generated files to DIR instead of the module tree.-e, --errsyms
Report symbols a module requires that are not provided by other modules or the kernel.-F, --filesyms System.map
Use System.map to resolve kernel-provided symbols when using -e.-E, --symvers Module.symvers
With -e, also report symbol version (modversion) mismatches.-n, --show, --dry-run
Print resulting modules.dep and map files to stdout instead of writing them.-v, --verbose
Print each symbol dependency and providing module.-w
Warn about duplicate dependencies, aliases, or symbol versions.-C, --config FILE
Override the default configuration file or directory.-V, --version
Show version and exit.-h, --help
Display help information.
CONFIGURATION
/etc/depmod.conf or **/etc/depmod.d/*.conf**
Configuration files specifying module search paths and overrides.
CAVEATS
Requires root privileges to write dependency files. Should be run after adding or removing kernel modules. Running kernel modules cannot be unloaded without considering running processes.
HISTORY
depmod is part of the kmod utilities (formerly module-init-tools), used for Linux kernel module management since the early days of loadable kernel modules in the 1990s.
