insmod

Insert a kernel module into the Linux kernel

$ sudo insmod [path/to/module.ko]

insmod [options] <module.ko> [<symbol>=<value> ...]

-f, --force
    Force load even with unresolved symbols or kernel version mismatch

-v, --verbose
    Print verbose loading details and symbol table

-q, --quiet
    Suppress non-fatal error messages

-x
    Do not export module's external symbols

-k
    Load kernel symbols only (no module exports); implies -q

-V, --version
    Display insmod version and exit

-h, --help
    Show usage summary and exit

insmod is a command-line utility for inserting kernel modules into the running Linux kernel without rebooting. Kernel modules (.ko files) provide dynamic extensibility, adding features like device drivers, filesystems, or network protocols.

Unlike modprobe, which automatically resolves dependencies and searches module paths, insmod requires an explicit full path to the module file and manual loading of prerequisites. It performs symbol resolution, inserts the module via init_module syscall, and supports passing parameters as symbol=value pairs at invocation.

Primarily used for testing or when modprobe is unavailable. Execution demands root privileges (sudo). Output includes module name, size, and resolved symbols on success.

Security note: Loading unverified modules risks kernel crashes, privilege escalation, or malware. Verify sources and use signed modules on secure boot systems.

Modern distributions favor modprobe for safety and convenience. insmod remains in kmod package for compatibility.

Requires root privileges.
Does not auto-resolve dependencies or search paths.
Loading faulty modules can panic kernel.
Deprecated; prefer modprobe.
Secure Boot may block unsigned modules.

sudo insmod /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/veth.ko veth_net_id=42
Loads veth module with parameter.

Common errors: 'disagrees about version' (mismatch), 'symbol lookup error' (missing deps). Check dmesg for details.

Introduced in early Linux (pre-2.6) with module support. From module-init-tools; evolved into kmod project (2011+). Usage declined with modprobe's dependency handling.

modprobe(8), rmmod(8), lsmod(8), modinfo(8), depmod(8)