Kernel configuration options explained?
 

i would like the URL for a fairly complete discussion of the various configuration options. haven't been able to google to any good ones. i'm in the middle of compiling the kernel, and would like to know more than "help" provides about each option.

any suggestions?

i'd love a good resouce for this too. seems like i always have to recompile several times because i don't include things i need.

yes, and the corollary need to repeatedly recompile because i included things i didn't need ;-)

I think the trick is to know what kind of hardware you have on our machine. If you are sure check that items, uncheck the others. Not so sure then check what you think you have, check what else sounds like you might have, uncheck the others.
For example, if you're sure you have a Radeon card, check it, uncheck others (of course, check stuffs like framebuffer support, etc.).

If not sure at all, you have at least three options:
-ask someone (a friend for example, your sysadmin, etc.) for clues
-read the manuals that came along with your hardware
-check everything:D
Yet the latter will result in a fat juicy kernel.

There are other aspects that have been discused in various threads here at LQ like using ALSA instead of OSS, compiling as built-in drivers for HD support (SCSI, IDE, whatever you have) vs. compiling as modules (that will lead to the need of an initial ramdisk image), etc.
A search within the forums might help you out.

And look at these:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...threadid=73436
http://www.digitalhermit.com/linux/K...ild-HOWTO.html

Good luck!

thx,
i guess i'll just do a search on an item-by-item basis to supplement the help files for items. i'm actually quite surprised by the lack more in-depth documentation on this... perhaps it would be a worthy project! :D

i honestly expected to find something on LQ, kernel.org, or LDP. especially a discussion of the ramifications of various options and sample configurations that would justify implementation.

i'm trying to compile a lean gentoo kernel and running light on kernel info...

-pres

it is indeed difficult to find a complete reference for the linux kernel options..
specially when you want to know the details.. but within some time you'll certainly see
how much understanding you will gather if you continue searching on it, and even DOING it, with
compilation and so on..

I don't know about URLs but there are really good books on that, for exmple:

Understanding the Linux Kernel, by Daniel P. Bovet and Marco Cesati (O'reilly)
don't know where you could download it but I got it in eMule with the simple keyword: kernel..

good luck

ahh, thx...

i have had this thread up on several linux forums, checked kernel.org, LDP, etc, and that is the first useful suggestion. i had completely overlooked the idea of picking up a good old ink-and-paper treatment of the subject. i'll check tonight at a couple bookstores.

kudos indeed, and thanks again.