LPIC-1 System Architecture Practice Question
Which command displays information about currently loaded kernel modules?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse `lsmod` (list loaded modules) with `modinfo` (show module metadata) or `modprobe -l` (list available modules), because all three commands relate to kernel modules but serve distinct purposes.
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
The `lsmod` command reads the `/proc/modules` file to display a list of all currently loaded kernel modules, showing their name, size, usage count, and dependent modules. This is the standard tool for querying the current module state in the Linux kernel.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
insmod
Why it's wrong here
insmod inserts a single module into the running kernel and produces no listing of loaded modules. It is tempting because it is a genuine module-management command, and it would be correct when loading a specific .ko file, but it cannot report what is already resident.
- ✗
modinfo
Why it's wrong here
modinfo reports metadata about a single named module, such as its filename, licence and parameters, not the list of modules currently loaded in the running kernel. It is tempting because it is the standard tool for inspecting module details, and it would be correct when you need information about one specific module.
- ✓
lsmod
Why this is correct
`lsmod` reads `/proc/modules` and lists every kernel module currently loaded, showing name, size and usage count. It directly satisfies the stem's requirement for loaded-module information, unlike `modinfo`, which describes a module file's metadata, or `insmod`, which inserts one.
- ✗
modprobe -l
Why it's wrong here
modprobe -l lists modules available in the module directory rather than those currently loaded, so it reports the wrong set. It is tempting because modprobe is the standard tool for loading and removing modules, and the -l flag would be correct when you need to see which modules could be loaded.
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