here the upstream test - Debian-Squeeze does contain module i2c-core with same kernel 2.6.32:
ingo@squeeze:~$ locate i2c-core /lib/modules/2.6.32-5-amd64/kernel/drivers/i2c/i2c-core.ko ingo@squeeze:~$ uname -a Linux squeeze 2.6.32-5-amd64 #1 SMP Tue Jun 1 04:34:03 UTC 2010 x86_64 GNU/Linux ingo@squeeze:~$
and it loads the module as well:
lsmod | grep i2c_core i2c_core 15712 2 drm,i2c_nforce2
Conclusion: it is Ubuntu-specific
here the upstream test - Debian-Squeeze does contain module i2c-core with same kernel 2.6.32:
ingo@squeeze:~$ locate i2c-core 2.6.32- 5-amd64/ kernel/ drivers/ i2c/i2c- core.ko
/lib/modules/
ingo@squeeze:~$ uname -a
Linux squeeze 2.6.32-5-amd64 #1 SMP Tue Jun 1 04:34:03 UTC 2010 x86_64 GNU/Linux
ingo@squeeze:~$
and it loads the module as well:
lsmod | grep i2c_core
i2c_core 15712 2 drm,i2c_nforce2
Conclusion: it is Ubuntu-specific