LPIC-2 Linux Kernel and System Startup Practice Question
A system administrator needs to add a kernel module to the kernel at runtime without recompiling. Which command should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse `modprobe` with `insmod` because both can load modules, but `modprobe` is the higher-level tool that handles dependencies and is more commonly used in practice, while `insmod` is the direct kernel insertion command specifically for adding a module at runtime without recompiling.
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
✓
insmod
The correct command is `insmod` because it inserts a kernel module into the running kernel without recompiling. It directly loads the specified module file (e.g., `.ko` file) into the kernel, making it available immediately. This is the standard low-level command for adding a single module at runtime.
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 this is correct
insmod inserts a module directly.
- ✗
rmmod
Why it's wrong here
rmmod removes modules.
- ✗
modprobe
Why it's wrong here
modprobe also loads modules but handles dependencies; the question asks for directly adding without recompiling, but modprobe is more common. However, insmod is the simplest answer.
- ✗
depmod
Why it's wrong here
depmod creates module dependency files, not load modules.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-2 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-2 exam.