Master Linux Device Drivers with the modern LDM to write char, platform, I²C, NIC, and block drivers on Linux 6.x, backed by real-world code, best practices, and hands-on guidance

Key Features

• Begin by learning to write a char (misc) driver, interface with userspace, and grasp the modern LDM
• Work with hardware interrupts, peripheral I/O, the Device Tree, and common kernel mechanisms
• Write practical platform, I²C, PCI, NIC, USB, input, and block device drivers

Book Description

Learn Linux Device Drivers is your practical guide to understanding the modern Linux Device Model (LDM) and writing real, working device drivers for modern Linux. Written by Linux expert Kaiwan N Billimoria, this book takes you through the fundamentals of character, platform, network, USB, input, and block drivers, all based on the latest Linux 6.12 LTS kernel. Starting with the basics, you’ll learn how to create and interface with character device drivers. You’ll then move onto platform drivers (useful for many typical SoC IP blocks), and the Device Tree (DT), including DT overlays. The book guides you through working with hardware I/O memory, handling hardware interrupts, using kernel APIs for delays, timers, kthreads, and workqueues, and even writing an I²C sensor driver. Finally, you’ll dive into PCI(e), NIC, USB, input, and block device drivers, rounding out your skills with practical, industry-relevant knowledge. Packed with real-world driver code, best practices, and tips to avoid pitfalls, this book equips you with the skills to confidently build Linux drivers for real projects. By the end of this book, you’ll be ready to write reliable Linux device drivers for multiple types of hardware and use cases, and it also serves as a strong companion to the author’s Linux Kernel Programming books.

What you will learn

• Write a simple yet complete misc class character device driver
• Perform user-kernel interfacing via multiple popular methods
• Understand platform devices and write a basic platform driver
• Work with the Device Tree (DT) and apply DT Overlays
• Perform I/O on hardware chip memory and handle hardware interrupts
• Use kernel APIs for delays, timers, kthreads, and workqueues
• Write and test an I²C sensor driver on real hardware
• Learn the framework and details for PCI(e), NIC, USB, input, and block device drivers

Who this book is for

This book is for beginners in Linux driver development as well as experienced developers seeking to deepen their skills and overcome common challenges in writing Linux kernel drivers. If you need to work with peripheral I/O, handle interrupts, or write I²C, platform, input, PCI(e), network, USB, or block drivers, this book will guide you. A basic understanding of kernel internals, APIs, modules, and synchronization is recommended.