LinuxQuestions.org
Help answer threads with 0 replies.
Home Forums Tutorials Articles Register
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Newbie
User Name
Password
Linux - Newbie This Linux forum is for members that are new to Linux.
Just starting out and have a question? If it is not in the man pages or the how-to's this is the place!

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 10-14-2005, 01:35 PM   #1
shadowsa
Member
 
Registered: Jul 2005
Posts: 149

Rep: Reputation: 15
Compiling the Kernel


ok i hear this all the time "compile the kernel, i compiled the kernel, i recompiled the kernel..."
what does it mean?? i mean i cant really imagine what the purpose really is, what for?
it would be nice if somebody explains it in a few sentences, and understandable for dummies like me.
thanks in advance.
 
Old 10-14-2005, 01:41 PM   #2
david_ross
Moderator
 
Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Scotland
Distribution: Slackware, RedHat, Debian
Posts: 12,047

Rep: Reputation: 79
The kernel is the actual operating system itself. Most distributions ship large kernels compiled with support for as much hardware as possible so that it works out of the box. If you recompile a kernel yourself you can leave out drivers that you don't need and select other options which, depending on your hardware will give you a performance boost.
 
Old 10-14-2005, 01:45 PM   #3
shadowsa
Member
 
Registered: Jul 2005
Posts: 149

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 15
Quote:
Originally posted by david_ross
The kernel is the actual operating system itself. Most distributions ship large kernels compiled with support for as much hardware as possible so that it works out of the box. If you recompile a kernel yourself you can leave out drivers that you don't need and select other options which, depending on your hardware will give you a performance boost.
thank you now i can imagime much more about that, so are there any manuals? i mean good manuals
 
Old 10-14-2005, 01:51 PM   #4
david_ross
Moderator
 
Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Scotland
Distribution: Slackware, RedHat, Debian
Posts: 12,047

Rep: Reputation: 79
There is a guide on the LQ wiki:
http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/Compiling_a_kernel

The actual options you choose for your kernel will vary between machines so there is no exact howto.
 
Old 10-14-2005, 03:26 PM   #5
aneel.d
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Oct 2005
Location: Tennessee, United States
Distribution: Gentoo
Posts: 5

Rep: Reputation: 0
The Linux Kernel is basically the spine of your operating environment. It provides support for all your hardware and performs essential low level functions.

As mentioned before, operating systems such as Windows and Mac OS X come with a kernel that has already been compiled for you, which includes support for a wide range of hardware already. These kernels usually have very nice features compiled in as well, such as "Plug and Play", or hardware autodetection, built in. In these cases, you don't have to be concerned with the kernel and don't even have to know that it exists.

The Linux kernel, though, is open-source, meaning it can be customized to meet your own requirements. Why compile support for such a wide range of hardware when all you really need is support for the hardware in your machine? Why compile support for hundreds of network cards when really you only need support for yours? That's what compiling a custom kernel and recompiling the kernel is for.
 
  


Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Compiling kernel = kernel panic Tons of Fun Debian 5 07-02-2005 01:59 PM
Compiling kernel module for linux kernel 2.4 in 2.6 guam Linux - Software 0 01-13-2005 02:02 AM
Where Is Kernel Directory In Rh9(kernel 2.4.20-8), For Compiling HSP56 MR(pctel) Mode rudy3107 Linux - Software 1 07-25-2004 04:17 AM
Help! Everything seems to be compiling into kernel! KuRe Slackware 18 12-17-2003 08:04 PM
Kernel compiling and module compiling tarballed Linux - General 1 12-22-2002 05:31 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Newbie

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:49 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration