Evaluate peer post - Linux treats devices the same way it treats files. Just like any other operating system, device drivers are required in order for a device to operate properly with the operating systems. To accept a device, it uses a function called Open and Release, which is to allocate and deallocate the appropriate device. There are multiple factors needed to open a device: Verify the device is in working order and available. Increment the device usage counter by one, so that the device cannot be unloaded until the associated file is closed. Initialize the device so it can accept new data. Identify the minor number and update the appropriate pointer. Allocate the appropriate data structure. The release function performs the following tasks: Deallocate resources that were allocated during the open task Shut down the device. Reduce the usage counter by one so the device can be released to another module (McHoes & Flynn, 2018, p. 491). A unique feature of linux is that by using Open and Release, it can accept new devices on the fly without an operating system reboot, which is required by Windows