HowTo patch a kernel?

busbarn · 03-04-2004, 01:27 PM

I've been doing some searching on kernel patching and it is really blowing my mind. I haven't been able to find a clear description of the patch command. So my questions are:

1. What are the tools used to patch a kernel?
2. What is the process of patching a kernel?

I'm not extreme noobie but I do like detailed discussions. Thanks in advance for any input.

HappyTux · 03-04-2004, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by busbarn
I've been doing some searching on kernel patching and it is really blowing my mind. I haven't been able to find a clear description of the patch command. So my questions are:

1. What are the tools used to patch a kernel?
2. What is the process of patching a kernel?

I'm not extreme noobie but I do like detailed discussions. Thanks in advance for any input.

1. Patch
2. patch -p1 < path/to/patch/file

The second step would be performed in the top level directory of the kernel source tree eg. /usr/src/linux-2.4.24. You will then see output of the files being patched and the success or failure of the effort. The patch will most likely be b or g zipped you will have to uncompress the file before issuing the command above.

busbarn · 03-04-2004, 04:07 PM

Wow that seems easy. Two things I didn't know: untarring the patch and needing to apply it in the top level directory. Pretty cool--thanks!