Linux driver model

Linux driver model

Posted Aug 29, 2004 11:36 UTC (Sun) by mbp (guest, #2737)
In reply to: Linux driver model by subhasroy
Parent article: Linux loses the Philips webcam driver

> Isn't it possible to make the Linux's driver interface more
> plugin-friendly?

It might be technically possible, although it would come at a performance and technical cost: you can no longer update anything that's depended on by binary drivers, even in a source-compatible way. It would also be practically impossible to support a kernel with random binary drivers installed. But it's not primarily a technical decision.

> I think the peripheral device vendors have rights to keep their
> drivers proprietary and binary.

That's your opinion. Most of the core kernel developers have the opposite opinion: binary drivers are not something they wish to encourage. See akpm's OLS keynote http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20040802115731932 for example. So, until you do your own kernel, it's not likely to happen.

> The kernel should avoid including in itself device drivers for every
> product that the kernel intends to permit the users to use.

This is also the opposite of the stated policy. It's fine that you think that would be better, but it's not likely to happen.

---

(Log in to post comments)