---
title: About the kernel_module Resource
platform: linux
---

# kernel_module

Use the `kernel_module` InSpec audit resource to test kernel modules on Linux
platforms. These parameters are located under `/lib/modules`. Any submodule may
be tested using this resource.

The `kernel_module` resource can also verify if a kernel module is `blacklisted`
or if a module is disabled via a fake install using the `bin_true` or `bin_false`
method.

<br>

## Syntax

A `kernel_module` resource block declares a module name, and then tests if that
module is a loadable kernel module, if it is enabled, disabled or if it is
blacklisted:

    describe kernel_module('module_name') do
      it { should be_loaded }
      it { should_not be_disabled }
      it { should_not be_blacklisted }
    end

where

* `'module_name'` must specify a kernel module, such as `'bridge'`
* `{ should be_loaded }` tests if the module is a loadable kernel module
* `{ should be_blacklisted }` tests if the module is blacklisted or if the module is disabled via a fake install using /bin/false or /bin/true
* `{ should be_disabled }` tests if the module is disabled via a fake install using /bin/false or /bin/true

<br>

## Examples

The following examples show how to use this InSpec audit resource.

### Test a modules 'version'

      describe kernel_module('bridge') do
        it { should be_loaded }
        its(:version) { should cmp >= '2.2.2' }
      end

### Test if a module is loaded, not disabled and not blacklisted

      describe kernel_module('video') do
        it { should be_loaded }
        it { should_not be_disabled }
        it { should_not be_blacklisted }
      end

### Check if a module is blacklisted

      describe kernel_module('floppy') do
        it { should be_blacklisted }
      end

### Ensure a module is *not* blacklisted and it is loaded

      describe kernel_module('video') do
        it { should_not be_blacklisted }
        it { should be_loaded }
      end

### Ensure a module is disabled via 'bin_false'

      describe kernel_module('sstfb') do
        it { should_not be_loaded }
        it { should be_disabled }
      end

### Ensure a module is 'blacklisted'/'disabled' via 'bin_true'

      describe kernel_module('nvidiafb') do
        it { should_not be_loaded }
        it { should be_blacklisted }
      end

### Ensure a module is not loaded

      describe kernel_module('dhcp') do
        it { should_not be_loaded }
      end

<br>

## Matchers

For a full list of available matchers, please visit our [matchers page](https://www.inspec.io/docs/reference/matchers/).

### be_loaded

The `be_loaded` matcher tests if the module is a loadable kernel module:

    it { should be_loaded }

### version

The `version` matcher tests if the named module version is on the system:

    its(:version) { should eq '3.2.2' }