How to “make” existing Linux kernel module driver after modifying the driver source code

Question

I have made some trivial modifications to a Linux USB Wi-Fi card driver to insert some logging (printk statements). I am loosely following a guide on how to re

Answer 1

You must run make from the top directory of the Linux source (/usr/src/linux/). Be sure that your driver is included in your /usr/src/linux/.config file. So, build the kernel with your driver. If you don't want to rebuild the entire kernel, read more :)

If you want to re-build all modules inside the directory:

make M=drivers/net/wireless/rtl818x/rtl8187/

If you want to re-build a single module inside the directory:

make M=drivers/net/wireless/rtl818x/ CONFIG_RTL8187=m

The *CONFIG_RTL8187* name can be found in drivers/net/wireless/rtl818x/Kconfig (CONFIG_ + RTL8187)

It should works also this:

make drivers/net/wireless/rtl818x/rtl8187/rtl8187.ko