I am new to kernel recompilation and building kernels..

Can anyone explain difference between the kernel types smp, non-smp, huge, generic.. How can we identify the type of kernel.. How they are categorize? I am using below kernels and recompiled and loading externel modules also.. but it wasnt successful..

kernel-source-2.6.24.5_smp-noarch-2
kernel-modules-2.6.24.5
kernel-headers-2.6.24.5_smp-x86

Here the source kernel and module kernel are type of smp ? so should i use module kernel with smp type?

Please explain me.. I am confusing.. I cant find where i did mistake?

Thanks in advance

Hi Geetha,

They look like Slackware kernels from 12.1.

You can find the info on the Slackware site, in the how-to. Good idea to read through Slackware docs, there is a lot of info there.

To answer your question.

smp, has multi-processor support

non-smp (does not have multiple processor support).

Generic, is your standard kernel that covers most common hardware configurations.

Huge is the complete kernel with all the drivers configured, used for installation. You can use it to run your box, but it is recommended to use one of the others, according to the Slackware how-to.

You need: kernel, kernel modules, kernel headers, and source (if you are compiling kernels).

If you want to support multiple processors use smp for all.