Dmesg
standard UNIX utility that prints the message buffer of the kernel
dmesg (diagnostic messages) is a command on most Unix-like operating systems that prints the message buffer of the kernel. The output includes messages produced by the device drivers.
Booting
When initially booted, a computer system loads its kernel into memory. At this stage device drivers present in the kernel are set up to drive relevant hardware. Such drivers, as well as other elements within the kernel, may produce output ("messages") reporting both the presence of modules and the values of any parameters adopted. (It may be possible to specify boot parameters which control the level of detail in the messages.) The booting process typically happens at a speed where individual messages scroll off the top of the screen before an operator can read/digest them. The dmesg command allows the review of such messages in a controlled manner after the system has started.
After booting
Even after the system has fully booted, the kernel may occasionally produce further diagnostic messages. Common examples of when this might happen are when I/O devices encounter errors, or USB devices are hot-plugged. dmesg provides a mechanism to review these messages at a later time.
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