What Linux executables are most closely associated with the Linux kernel?

What Linux executables are most closely associated with the Linux kernel?

The Linux kernel itself is not an executable in the traditional sense. It is a dynamically loadable module that is loaded into memory during system boot or when needed. However, there are some executables closely associated with the Linux kernel that are used for various purposes. Here are a few examples:

1. vmlinuz or bzImage: These are the compressed Linux kernel images that are commonly found in the /boot directory of Linux distributions. They contain the compressed kernel code and are loaded into memory during the boot process.

2. kexec: It is a Linux kernel function that allows the user to load and boot into another kernel from the currently running kernel. It is often used for kernel testing, debugging, or during system updates when a new kernel needs to be loaded without a complete system reboot.

3. insmod and modprobe: These are executables used to load kernel modules dynamically. Kernel modules are pieces of code that can be dynamically loaded and unloaded into the running kernel to extend its functionality or add device drivers. insmod directly loads a module, while modprobe resolves dependencies and loads the specified module along with its dependencies.

4. rmmod: This executable is used to unload a dynamically loaded kernel module from the running kernel. It is the counterpart to insmod and modprobe.

5. depmod: It is a utility that generates module dependency information by examining the symbols used by modules. This information is used by the kernel when loading modules and resolving dependencies.

6. sysctl: This utility allows the user to view, set, and modify kernel parameters at runtime. Kernel parameters control various aspects of the kernel's behavior and can be used to fine-tune the system's performance and functionality.

7. dmesg: It is a command-line utility that displays the kernel's ring buffer messages. These messages provide information about system events, such as device detection, initialization, and error messages generated by the kernel.

These are some of the executables closely associated with the Linux kernel. They are used for tasks such as kernel loading, module management, kernel parameter configuration, and accessing kernel messages.