genl - Linux
Overview
genl
is a tool that generates Linux kernel code for generalized Netlink families. It simplifies the process of defining, manipulating, and interacting with custom Netlink protocols.
Syntax
genl [options] <family name>
Options/Flags
- -h, –help: Display usage information.
- -v, –version: Print version information.
- -a, –all-families: Generate code for all registered Netlink families.
- -i, –include-impl: Include implementation code in generated files (default: false).
- -o, –output-file: Specify output filename (default: "
.h"). - -s, –select: Select specific families to generate code for (comma-separated).
Examples
Generate code for a new Netlink family "myfamily":
genl myfamily
Generate code for all registered families, including implementation:
genl -a --include-impl
Generate code for multiple specific families:
genl -s family1,family2,family3
Common Issues
- Generation fails due to duplicate definitions: Ensure that the Netlink family name is unique and not already used by another protocol.
- Missing dependencies: Check that the necessary kernel headers and libraries are installed and included in
make
commands.
Integration
genl
-generated code can be integrated with other tools and commands:
- Kernel modules: The generated header files can be used in kernel modules to communicate with the Netlink family.
- User space applications: Libraries can be created using the generated header files to interact with the Netlink family from user space.
Related Commands
make
: Used to compile the generated code.insmod
: Used to insert kernel modules created withgenl
.dmesg
: Used to display debug messages generated by Netlink communication.