Running Your Linux Drivers

There are rumors spreading that Linux cannot support modern hardware. But this is definitely untrue! The fact is its competitors like Windows operating systems are the ones which cannot support modern equipment. Greg Kroah-Hartman (engineer and Linux kernel developer) began the project LDP or Linux Driver Project to ensure that Linux will support any hardware. LDP was designed for open-source developers; to help them create hardware drivers and give it to companies for free. Companies can be assured that programmers will keep their proprietary secrets hidden.

LDP had been a very successful project.  Last year’s record shows that over 300 developers wanted to join the project with many drivers already accepted and written into the most popular Linux kernel tree; and many more are still being developed.

Summing up the projects accomplishments; Hartman released the reports of what it has been from last year, beginning with its first goal which is to write drivers. Many LDP members have already written new drivers for a large range of various hardware devices. These devices are already merged into the kernel tree. Many more are under development at present averaging two queries for different drivers from different firms each month.

The second aim which is to educate people has also been a success! LDP helped many companies maintain their code bases within the Linux kernel. This is integrated into the main kernel development process which allows control of their drivers.

LDP’s third and final goal of working in the open has also been realized. The Linux Kernel Summit also last year, marked the creation of staging drivers/tree. This provides a place within the central Linux kernel tree where drivers of not that high quality kernel standards to be merged. This process thus allows many users to utilize their hardware with Linux much earlier than possible. It has also provided a common place for members to contribute patches and fixes for the drivers. This heightens the necessity to search for various drivers over the internet.

Linux staging tree has also given a venue for developers who wish to get into Linux kernel development to easily work on the code. Although all the goals have already been achieved, Linux keeps on moving since for the developers, existing device drivers are always moving targets.

Visibly, the only problem lies with the lack of projects. This proves that there is much hardware that Linux drivers can support. Most of the newly developed hardware comes with a Linux driver which is already written by a community or the company.

Computer World