Static vs. Dynamic Modules

The Linux kernel handles drivers in two ways:

1. Static (Built-in): The code is part of the vmlinuz file itself. It’s always there. lsmod cannot see these.

2. Dynamic (LKM): Loadable Kernel Modules. These are the .ko files that lsmod can see.

$ sudo modinfo virtio

[sudo] password for root:

name: virtio

filename: (builtin)

license: GPL

file: drivers/virtio/virtio

$ lsmod | grep -i virtio

$ (nothing is returned)

To know more about the virtio module, take a look at Virtualization.