Lone Kernel System

Katachi · 12-22-2006, 03:05 PM

I want to build a linux system starting with JUST the kernel for learning purposes. So how could I do this? How could I install just the kernel?

I know theres some other stuff out there that needs to go along with the kernel for even some basic functionality, but I really want to play around with a system that just has the kernel for a while.

Thanks in advance.

raskin · 12-22-2006, 03:31 PM

Exactly lone kernel is impossible. However (you want to learn, I guess - so it's enough to have pointers) try building kernel with most modules builtin, with initramfs carrying busybox. It is already enough (kernel+busybox in initramfs) to work.

pixellany · 12-22-2006, 04:24 PM

The Linux from Scratch approach may be of interest...
http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/

It's hard to make a good analogy--how about a car engine with no accessories and not mounted to anything. start it up and it simply thrashes aroung the room. If you try to control it, you could get hurt.....

raskin · 12-22-2006, 04:31 PM

As user of LFS, I would say "not exactly". Linux from scratch targets at compiling a system with automake and Tcl. So dynamic glibc is inevitable. So no minimalistic ambitions. And building static busybox and placing it on initramfs has by no means its target to produce minimal development system. And yes, working with grep, sed, head, tail but no less or vim is also an interesting experience. It _can_ be obtained when LFS build fails before building normal terminal libraries - or by using bare busybox.