LPIC-2 Linux Kernel and System Startup Practice Question
A system administrator has multiple kernel modules that depend on each other. Module A must be loaded before module B. How can this dependency be ensured automatically when using modprobe?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse `depmod` (which resolves symbol-based dependencies) with `softdep` (which resolves ordering dependencies without symbol links), leading them to incorrectly choose Option A as the automatic solution.
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
✓
Add options module_a softdep=module_b to /etc/modprobe.d/
The `softdep` directive in a modprobe configuration file (e.g., `/etc/modprobe.d/*.conf`) allows you to declare a soft dependency where one module should be loaded before another, without creating a hard dependency in the module symbol table. When `modprobe` processes this directive, it ensures that module A is loaded before module B automatically, even if there is no explicit symbol dependency between them.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use depmod to generate dependency information
Why it's wrong here
depmod generates module dependency files based on symbol usage, but it does not allow specifying load order for modules that do not have symbol dependencies.
- ✗
Use insmod to load module A first, then module B in a startup script
Why it's wrong here
While this works, it is not automatic and does not leverage the modprobe dependency system; it also requires manual script management.
- ✓
Add options module_a softdep=module_b to /etc/modprobe.d/
Why this is correct
The softdep option in modprobe.conf allows specifying pre- and post-dependencies, ensuring module A is loaded before module B.
- ✗
Add module B to the /etc/modules file
Why it's wrong here
The /etc/modules file is used by some distributions to list modules to load at boot, but it does not enforce loading order.
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