dkms

DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support) is a command-line tool used in Linux systems to manage and maintain external kernel modules. It is mainly designed for kernel module developers and system administrators to ease the process of building and installing kernel modules.

First introduced in 2003, DKMS automates the process of rebuilding kernel modules when a new kernel update occurs, ensuring compatibility between the kernel and the modules. This is particularly useful for third-party modules that may not be supported by the Linux kernel developers.

DKMS keeps track of installed modules by creating a source directory and storing the module's source code, configuration files, and scripts necessary for compilation. It supports both source and binary modules and works with different kernel versions simultaneously.

Using DKMS, module developers can write modules outside of the Linux kernel source tree and package them as separate entities. DKMS can then install and manage these modules across various kernel versions.

The DKMS command-line tool provides several functions, including adding and removing modules, building modules, and installing them into the kernel. It also handles module versioning, module dependency resolution, and building modules against multiple installed kernel images.

System administrators can use DKMS to ensure that kernel modules for essential hardware (such as graphics drivers or network adapters) are always available and automatically rebuilt after kernel updates.

DKMS integrates well with package management systems, making it easier to distribute and update user-space tools linked with kernel modules.

Overall, DKMS simplifies the maintenance and compatibility management of kernel modules, enhancing the stability and flexibility of Linux systems.