---
name: "gpsinit"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "gpsd"
version: "3.27.5-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/gpsinit"
---

# gpsinit(8)

initialize CAN kernel modules for GPSD

## NAME

gpsinit - initialize CAN kernel modules for GPSD

## SYNOPSIS

**gpsinit** \[-n control\] \[-s speed\] module\_name \[interface\_name\]

**gpsinit** -h

**gpsinit** -V

## DESCRIPTION

**gpsinit** initializes whatever kernel-level modules are needed to enable special non-serial hardware to communicate with a gpsd instance. Note: it will need root permissions to load modules and perform other special operations, such as changing kernel-interface baudrates.

At present, all modes of this tool are concerned with setting up kernel-level interfaces to hardware on a CAN (Control Area Network) speaking NMEA2000.

The program accepts the following options:

- **-h**

  Display a brief help text.

- **-n**

  Set the CAN network number. The default is 0.

- **-s**

  Set the baudrate to be used to communicate over the serial line to the CAN hardware. The default is 38400 baud.

- **-V**

  Display the version of gpsinit.

The parameter **module\_name** is mandatory. The socket CAN driver module **module\_name.ko** will be loaded. **gpsinit** recognize the following module names:

**plx\_pci**, **esd\_usb2**, **vcan**, **slcan**

The parameter **interface\_name** and **-s** **speed** can used here.

**beaglebone**

The dcan module needed for the beaglebone is part of the Linux kernel, so no module is loaded in this case.

The parameter **interface\_name** is needed for slcan hardware only. It gives the name of the serial device to which the SL CAN hardware is connected. The default is /dev/ttyUSB0.

## EXAMPLES

All the following examples probably need to be run as root.

**gpsinit plx\_pci**

Attempt to load the module plx\_pci and initialize net 0 for the connection to a NMEA2000 network. It will set the baudrate to 250kBits.

**gpsinit -n 1 plx\_pci**

As above, but use net 1.

**gpsinit -s 38400 slcan /dev/ttyUSB0**

Attempt to load the module slcan and talk to the hardware at 38400 baud connected to port /dev/ttyUSB0.

**gpsinit -h**

Display a brief help message.

**gpsinit -v**

Display the version of gpsinit.

## RETURN VALUES

**0**

on success.

**1**

on failure

## SEE ALSO

[**gpsd**(8)](/gpsd/8.md), [**gps**(1)](/gps/1.md)

## RESOURCES

**Project web site:**  \<https://gpsd.io/\>

## COPYING

This file is Copyright 2013 by the GPSD project\
 SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-2-clause

## AUTHOR

Reinhard Arlt