How To Manage Kernel Module Load Settings on ESXi

The following are instructions for managing kernel modules (drivers) on ESX(i).

List all loaded kernel modules

# vmkload_mod -l    # --list

Show kernel module information

# vmkload_mod -s some_module    # --showinfo

Note: This works in the same manner as modinfo on Linux

List module load parameters for on boot

# esxcfg-module -g some_module    # --get-options

Set module load parameters for on boot

# esxcfg-module -s 'parameter_a=1 parameter_b=test' some_module

Note: This does not affect parameters on manual module load

Clear module load parameters for on boot

# esxcfg-module -s '' some_module    # --set-options

Disable module on boot

# esxcfg-module -d some_module    # --disable

## write boot config, extra step for ESX 4.x only 
# esxcfg-boot -b

Enable module on boot

# esxcfg-module -e some_module    # --enable

NOTE: On ESXi 5.1 you will need to re-enable the module to even manually load the driver.

Manually load module

# vmkload_mod some_module
# vmkload_mod some_module parameter_a=1 parameter_b=test

Note: This works in the same manner as modprobe/insmod on Linux

Manually unload module

# vmkload_mod -u some_module    # --unload

Note: This works in the same manner as modprobe/rmmod on Linux