How to configure a Linux serial port driver?

There are typically several methods for configuring a serial port driver in Linux.

1. To modify the kernel configuration file: Locate the corresponding serial port driver configuration option in the .config file in the Linux kernel source directory, and set it to “y” or “m” to compile into the kernel or load as a module.
2. Use the “make menuconfig” command: Navigate to the Linux kernel source directory and run the “make menuconfig” command. In the graphical interface that appears, locate the corresponding serial port driver configuration option and select “y” to compile it into the kernel or “m” to load it as a module.
3. Run the commands make xconfig or make gconfig to configure serial drivers in a graphical interface, similar to make menuconfig.
4. Load the driver module using the modprobe command: If the serial port driver is already compiled as a module, you can use the modprobe command to load that module. For example, to load a serial port driver module named “uart_driver” using the modprobe command: modprobe uart_driver.
5. Load the driver module using the “insmod” command: If the serial driver is a standalone .ko file, you can use the insmod command to load the module. For example, to load a serial driver module named “uart_driver.ko” using the insmod command: insmod uart_driver.ko.
6. Modify the bootloader configuration: Some Linux systems use customized bootloaders, which can be adjusted by modifying the bootloader configuration file to specify the loading of the serial port driver module.

It is important to note that before configuring the serial port driver, you need to understand the hardware platform and the corresponding serial port driver module, as well as the meaning of the related configuration options. In addition, during the configuration process, it may be necessary to recompile the kernel or restart the system for the changes to take effect.