DKMS: Dell Improves Driver Installation
Version 2.0.17.4 DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support), a framework that facilitates the installation of Linux drivers, has just been released. Besides bugfixes the new release includes a method for creating Debian driver packages.
Dell developed DKMS in order to deliver updated hardware drivers to its Linux customers without replacing the entire kernel. The framework provides a standardized update process that facilitates support.
DKMS keeps its own source code tree on a system outside of the kernel sources. It includes commands for building, installing and removing modules. In addition to this, it can create RPM and even Debian packages as of the latest version.
The current version solves release problems using the "--rpm_safe_upgrade" option. Driver floppy generation for Suse Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 10 has been reworked, but is still problematic according to Dell's Linux strategist Matt Domsch. In his company blog Domsch describes the advantages of DKMS based on a current example: the framework supports simple integration of drivers for Dell's hardware. Dell had to remaster the distribution CDs for Ubuntu 7.04; now Dell uses DKMS for SLES, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Ubuntu.
More details are available on the DKMS project page. Tarballs, RPMs and Debian packages are available for downloading. DKMS, which is licensed under the GPLv2, is also available from the Ubuntu Gutsy (universe) and Fedora 7 (testing) repositories.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Available for Testing
Some interesting new additions and improvements are coming to Linux Mint. Check out the Linux Mint 22.2 Beta to give it a test run.
-
Debian 13.0 Officially Released
After two years of development, the latest iteration of Debian is now available with plenty of under-the-hood improvements.
-
Upcoming Changes for MXLinux
MXLinux 25 has plenty in store to please all types of users.
-
A New Linux AI Assistant in Town
Newelle, a Linux AI assistant, works with different LLMs and includes document parsing and profiles.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Released with Minor Fixes
The latest Linux kernel doesn't really include any big-ticket features, just a lot of lines of code.
-
EU Sovereign Tech Fund Gains Traction
OpenForum Europe recently released a report regarding a sovereign tech fund with backing from several significant entities.
-
FreeBSD Promises a Full Desktop Installer
FreeBSD has lacked an option to include a full desktop environment during installation.
-
Linux Hits an Important Milestone
If you pay attention to the news in the Linux-sphere, you've probably heard that the open source operating system recently crashed through a ceiling no one thought possible.
-
Plasma Bigscreen Returns
A developer discovered that the Plasma Bigscreen feature had been sitting untouched, so he decided to do something about it.
-
CachyOS Now Lets Users Choose Their Shell
Imagine getting the opportunity to select which shell you want during the installation of your favorite Linux distribution. That's now a thing.