System-wide system calls
This section covers system calls, which can not be assigned to any other sections. Such system calls usually provide system wide information about kernel and whole operation system. Also they can change typical behavior of Linux and extend its functionality by loadable modules.
Contents
Tip: For detailed information about each system call please read: Linux man pages
Loadable modules
| Syscall | Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CREATE_MODULE | 174 | Create a loadable module entry |
| INIT_MODULE | 175 | Load a kernel module |
| FINIT_MODULE | 313 | Load a kernel module |
| DELETE_MODULE | 176 | Unload a kernel module |
| QUERY_MODULE | 178 | Query the kernel for various bits pertaining to modules |
| GET_KERNEL_SYMS | 177 | Retrieve exported kernel and module symbols |
Accounting and quota
| Syscall | Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT | 163 | Switch process accounting on or off |
| QUOTACTL | 179 | Manipulate disk quotas |
Filesystem (privileged)
| Syscall | Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PIVOT_ROOT | 155 | Change the root file system |
| SWAPON | 167 | Start swapping to file/device |
| SWAPOFF | 168 | Stop swapping to file/device |
| MOUNT | 165 | Mount file system |
| UMOUNT2 | 166 | Unmount file system |
| NFSSERVCTL | 180 | Syscall interface to kernel nfs daemon |
Filesystem (unprivileged)
| Syscall | Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USTAT | 136 | Get file system statistics |
| STATFS | 137 | Get file system statistics |
| FSTATFS | 138 | Get file system statistics |
| SYSFS | 139 | Get file system type information |
Miscellaneous (privileged)
| Syscall | Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| _SYSCTL | 156 | Read/write system parameters |
| SYSLOG | 103 | Read and/or clear kernel message ring buffer |
| IOPERM | 173 | Set port input/output permissions |
| IOPL | 172 | Change I/O privilege level |
| PERSONALITY | 135 | Set the process execution domain |
| VHANGUP | 153 | Virtually hangup the current terminal |
| REBOOT | 169 | Reboot or enable/disable Ctrl-Alt-Del |
| KEXEC_LOAD | 246 | Load a new kernel for later execution |
| KEXEC_FILE_LOAD | 320 | Load a new kernel for later execution |
| PERF_EVENT_OPEN | 298 | Set up performance monitoring |
Miscellaneous (unprivileged)
| Syscall | Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| UNAME | 63 | Get name and information about current kernel |
| SYSINFO | 99 | Returns information on overall system statistics |