linux-kernel - Re: Unused modules in 2.6.x

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Message-ID: <20090225192810.GA6150@kroah.com>
Date:	Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:28:10 -0800
From:	Greg KH <greg@...ah.com>
To:	Alex Buell <alex.buell@...ted.org.uk>
Cc:	"linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org" <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>
Subject: Re: Unused modules in 2.6.x

On Wed, Feb 25, 2009 at 05:52:49PM +0000, Alex Buell wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> Perhaps I missed something when the 2.6.x kernels got started a few
> years back, but why is it not possible for unused modules to be
> automatically unloaded anymore i.e with rmmod -a? I remember being able
> to do that with the 2.2.x and 2.4.x series a long time ago.

Because if you do that, lots of modules that were being "used" by the
system would get unloaded (usb host controllers, network drivers, etc.)

So it makes sense not to do that anymore.  See the linux-kernel archives
about 6 years ago for details if you are curious about this historical
issue (hint, it could burn you very badly even in 2.2 and 2.4...)

good luck,

greg k-h
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