Which command is specifically used to manage loadable kernel modules?

The command that is specifically used to manage loadable kernel modules is modprobe. This command serves as a higher-level utility for interacting with the Linux kernel's module management subsystem. It can perform several important functions, such as loading a module along with its dependencies automatically, which simplifies the process of managing kernel modules compared to using lower-level commands.

When you use modprobe to load a module, it checks for any dependencies and loads them as needed, making it convenient for the user. This intelligent handling of dependencies allows for smooth operation and helps to avoid issues that might occur if a required module is not loaded alongside the target module.

In contrast, insmod focuses solely on inserting a specific module into the kernel without managing dependencies. While rmmod is used specifically to remove a module from the kernel, and depmod is employed to generate a list of dependencies among modules, modprobe stands out for its comprehensive and user-friendly management of both loading and unloading modules along with their associated dependencies. Thus, modprobe is the go-to command when it comes to effectively managing loadable kernel modules in a Linux environment.