I am running a server with a GRSecurity patched Kernel 2.6.32.36. I've tried to optimize the kernel as much as I can and know it (removing options, not needed drivers and so on) and compiled the modules into the kernel (no loadable modules anymore). I've started with Slackware 13.0 and the default config for 2.6.29.6-huge. Still I am not sure what to remove/optimize further now.

My question: Is there a way to boot with a kernel with loadable modules, check which modules are really needed for this hardware, (do something like lsmod) and save the running configuration modules for a next kernel compile to be the default .config instead of writing them down by hand and search for the appropriate names in .config or during menuconfig? (Note: zcat /proc/config.gz > .config is NOT the way I want, as it gives me just the current kernel config)

Thanks,

Hi,

there are two ways.
1. copy the old .config to the new kernelsources and execute 2. using adapts the kernel to the yet loaded modules.
You may want to read the README-file in the rootdirectory of the kernelsources.

Markus

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Does it mean only the really needed modules of this hardware are enabled only? How is it with modules which may be loaded during runtime, if there are any? or does it also depend on the services?

I run apache, sshd, postfix, dovecot on reiserfs, but I do not understand for example the whole CAN-bus, watchdog,not really needed USB-driver things...

mh, as far as I know localmodconfig configures for the modules which are yet loaded, this means you'll have to force all modules to be loaded before running the command. For example every possible hardware has to be connected (printer or other USB-devices).

I'm not sure if the so created .config file can be used without further configuration. But it seems to be way faster than removing every not needed module by hand from the stock configuration (which takes many hours).

Markus

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1 members found this post helpful.

Ok so it seems to be what I wanted. I'll try it out

thanks I know the CAN bus in its meanings, but looking at kernel configs, I don't know what my machine really needs these options for (btw I drive a car with FlexRay )