How To Compile Kernel
The kernel is the part of the OS, what make us to call it Linux. The kernel
is responsible of supporting hardware-oriented stuff like PPP, SCSI devices,
system clock etc... We even don't recognize that it's running behind.
Never forget that, an operating system with a stable and efficient kernel,
will work better. Linux's kernel is written and updated by
Linus Torvalds . It's a subject that many people work on and update the ker
nel really frequently The latest kernel can be downloaded from...
Don't try to download the latest kernel development. They are still under
development and they are just for kernel hackers. By the time
linux-2.0.34.tar.gz is the best choice to upgrade. When you are done with
downloading just fallow the simple steps below to compile your new kernel and
upgrade your Linux machine.These commands may look unmeaningful, but
nevermind.I myself don't know exactly what all of them stands for...Just follow
the steps.
- Copy the kernel under your /usr/src directory with the command cp
linux-2.0.34.tar.gz /usr/src/
- Extract it with the command tar -zxvf linux-2.0.34.tar.gz
.
- cd to the directory /usr/src/linux/
.
- type make config or make menuconfig or if you are under
XWindows make xconfig . Answer the questions and choose which supports
you want your kernel to have. It is really hard for a beginner to choose which
of them will be needed but after trying for a few times you'll get used to.
Don't answer everything yes, otherwise it will be too big and unefficient. By
the way it won't be possible to compile so...
- type make dep
.
- type make clean
.
- type make zImage . It is the longest part of the process. So, be
patient.
- type make modules
- type make modules_install
- type cp /usr/src/linux/arch/i386/boot/zImage /boot/vmlinuz-2.0.34
if you are using redhat. Use /vmlinuz-2.0.34 in
Slackware.
- cd to directory /etc and edit lilo.conf. Replace the line with
image=/boot/vmlinuz... with image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.0.34 in
case you use Redhat. Use /vmlinuz-2.0.34 in Slackware.
- type lilo
- reboot your machine and it's done!...
In case you need more information about make config process refer to the
Kernel HOWTO
