LPIC-1 System Architecture Practice Question
Which command can be used to check whether a specific kernel module is currently loaded?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse `modinfo` (which shows module information from disk) with `lsmod` (which shows runtime load status), leading them to incorrectly select option A.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
lsmod | grep <module>
`lsmod` lists all currently loaded kernel modules by reading the `/proc/modules` file, and piping its output through `grep` filters for the specific module name. This directly shows whether the module is loaded in the running kernel, which is the exact requirement of the question.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
modinfo <module>
Why it's wrong here
modinfo displays metadata about a module file, such as description, author, and parameters; it does not report whether that module is currently loaded into the running kernel. It is the right tool for inspecting a module's properties or dependencies before loading it.
- ✓
lsmod | grep <module>
Why this is correct
lsmod reads /proc/modules and lists every currently loaded module with size and usage count. Piping to grep filters that output for the named module, directly answering whether it is loaded — unlike modprobe, which loads modules rather than reporting state.
- ✗
depmod -a
Why it's wrong here
depmod -a regenerates the modules.dep dependency file and its mappings; it never queries the running kernel for loaded modules. It is the right command after installing or building modules, so that modprobe can resolve dependencies correctly.
- ✗
insmod <module>
Why it's wrong here
insmod inserts a specified module into the running kernel; it changes state rather than reporting it, and fails if the module is already loaded. It is the right command when manually loading a single module without dependency resolution.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LPIC-1 exam.