Write a real, working Linux driver

Will be taught by Greg K-H

This tutorial will teach the you how to write a working Linux kernel driver for a real device. You will be given a device apon the start of the class, and by the end, will have created a kernel driver that controls the device that will be acceptable for inclusion in the main Linux kernel tree.

The device is a USB thermometer and will cost a small amount (2007 price: $30) if you wish to keep the device.

Topics that will be covered:

• understanding the kernel build process
• understanding the module load process
• the basics of the kernel driver and device model that are needed for all driver authors.
• how to interact with a kernel driver from userspace.
• understanding how to talk to the hardware.
• proper kernel coding guidelines.

Skills necessary for this tutorial:

• You must know how to build, install, and run, a standard kernel.org kernel.
• Intermediate understanding and knowledge of the C language.
• You must have a laptop with a working USB connection, running the latest version of the 2.6 kernel from kernel.org.

Items to check to help get the most out of this tutorial:

• Plug in a USB thumb drive, printer, or digital camera to test that your userspace USB utilities are working.
• Remove a kernel module (with modprobe -r or rmmod) to make sure that your kernel is built with module unloading turned on.