LinuxQuestions.org - where is the kernel source

If you have it installed, it is located in the directory /usr/src/linux-<your kernel version here>

# Compiling/installing kernel modules
You will need to have installed:
1. The developmental packages (compiler)
2. The kernel-source code that matches your running kernel
3. The module source or install code

Check out your system and look under the hood and see if you installed the stuff you need to do the job. Open an x terminal and type in this sequence of commands to see what kernel we are running and see if you have the kernel source installed:

Code:

[fancy@tinwhistle fancy]$ su -

Password:

[root@tinwhistle root]# uname -r

2.4.20-28.7

I am running kernel version 2.4.20-28.7. Do I have the proper source code?

Code:

[root@tinwhistle root]# cd /usr/src

[root@tinwhistle src]# ls -alc

total 3

drwxr-xr-x    4 root    root          136 Jun 12 14:53 .

drwxr-xr-x  16 root    root          424 Jun  4 12:04 ..

lrwxrwxrwx    1 root    root          14 Jun  4 12:11 linux-2.4 -> linux-2.4.20-28.7

drwxr-xr-x  16 root    root          584 Jun  4 12:11 linux-2.4.20-28.7

drwxr-xr-x    7 root    root          168 Jun  4 12:08 redhat

[root@tinwhistle src]#

I do have the same kernel version source code installed in the directory /usr/src/linux-2.4.20-28.7 and there is a symbolic link named linux-2.4 pointing to it.

If you don't see something similiar to this (but in color), you will need to install the kernel source.

NOTE: I noticed that Red Hat didn't make the symbolic link /usr/src/linux that all of the INSTALL files that I have read mentioned that I need. I may as well make one now to save editing the files in the source code every time I need to compile anything concerning the kernel. So, I'll make that link just now:

Code:

[root@tinwhistle src]# ln -s linux-2.4.20-28.7 linux        

[root@tinwhistle src]# ls -alc

total 3

drwxr-xr-x    4 root    root          160 Jun 12 15:46 .

drwxr-xr-x  16 root    root          424 Jun  4 12:04 ..

lrwxrwxrwx    1 root    root          14 Jun 12 15:46 linux -> linux-2.4.20-28.7

lrwxrwxrwx    1 root    root          14 Jun  4 12:11 linux-2.4 -> linux-2.4.20-28.7

drwxr-xr-x  16 root    root          584 Jun  4 12:11 linux-2.4.20-28.7

drwxr-xr-x    7 root    root          168 Jun  4 12:08 redhat

[root@tinwhistle src]#

Ah, there it is, so that's done.

Next, did I install the compiler?

Code:

[root@tinwhistle src]# gcc -v          

Reading specs from /usr/lib/gcc-lib/i386-redhat-linux/2.96/specs

gcc version 2.96 20000731 (Red Hat Linux 7.3 2.96-113)

[root@tinwhistle src]#

Yes, I have a compiler installed.

If you don't have those two things installed, you have to install them first off your install CD.

If they are installed, download the source and happy compiling. :tisk: Make sure you carefully read the README and INSTALL files after extracting and before compiling/installing. :study:

# Guides to software management
LNAG - How do I install a program I downloaded from the Internet?
Rute Guide's software explanation
You might want to check out CheckInstall to manage source code installations/uninstallation