Question 141 of 507
Load Kernel Module Automatically at Boot
A system administrator needs to ensure that a custom kernel module loads automatically at boot. The module is named 'my_driver' and is built for the current kernel. Which configuration file should be modified to ensure the module loads automatically?
Quick Answer
The answer is to add a configuration file in /etc/modules-load.d/. This is correct because systemd-based Linux distributions use the /etc/modules-load.d/ directory to specify kernel modules that should be loaded automatically at boot; placing a file like my_driver.conf containing just the module name 'my_driver' in this directory instructs the systemd-modules-load.service to load it during early boot. On the LPIC-2 exam, this question tests your understanding of modern module loading mechanisms versus legacy methods like /etc/modules or /etc/modprobe.d/, which are common traps—remember that /etc/modprobe.d/ sets module options, not load lists. The key distinction is that /etc/modules-load.d/ is the systemd-native, distribution-agnostic way to load kernel modules automatically at boot, while /etc/modules is the older sysvinit approach. A helpful memory tip: think "load" in the directory name—modules-load.d—directly tells you its purpose is to load modules at boot.
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse /etc/modprobe.d/ (used for modprobe configuration) with /etc/modules-load.d/ (used for automatic loading), or they assume the legacy /etc/modules.conf is still valid on modern distributions.
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 a configuration file in /etc/modules-load.d/
Systemd-based Linux distributions use /etc/modules-load.d/ to specify kernel modules that should be loaded automatically at boot. Placing a configuration file (e.g., my_driver.conf) containing the module name 'my_driver' in this directory instructs systemd-modules-load.service to load the module during early boot. This is the modern, distribution-agnostic method for ensuring a custom kernel module loads automatically.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Add the insmod command in /etc/rc.local
Why it's wrong here
While possible, rc.local is not the recommended method for loading modules at boot.
- ✗
Add the module name to /etc/modules.conf
Why it's wrong here
/etc/modules.conf is not a standard file in modern Linux distributions.
- ✓
Add a configuration file in /etc/modules-load.d/
Why this is correct
/etc/modules-load.d/ is the standard location for specifying modules to load at boot.
- ✗
Add a configuration file in /etc/modprobe.d/
Why it's wrong here
/etc/modprobe.d/ is for modprobe options, not for auto-loading modules.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on LPIC-2
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A system administrator needs to add a kernel module to the kernel at runtime without recompiling. Which command should be used?
easy- ✓ A.insmod
- B.rmmod
- C.modprobe
- D.depmod
Why A: 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.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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