Hello.

I am new to Linux and I need a help in compling the kernel source code.
I need to compile the kernel because I want to use the modem whose driver is not included in the default kernel. I clean-installed Fedora Core 2 on my IBM Thinkpad T22.
The current kernel installed is "2.6.7-1.494.2.2"
I read several online documents about the kernel compilation, but since I am new to Linux, I am not clear about what to do.

For example, all the documentation do not tell me what the numbers next "-". When I checked the kernel_dot_org Web site, I didn't find any source that ends with "1.494.2.2" so that I had no idea what source to download from it.

My questions are:
1. With the kernel (2.6.7-1.494.2.2) installed, what kernel source should I download.
2. What is the meaning of "-1.494.2.2"?
3. Are there very easy-to-follow tutorial for kernel compilation?

Thanks in advance.

The numbers after the dash are the specific Fedora version of the kernel. This is a dirty little secret that many different distros have, namely that they don't use the mainstream Linux kernel at all, but one with their own special modifications, backports, etc. You have two choices -- you can stick with your distro's kernel, or go with a vanilla kernel.org kernel. The later is the easier course, probably, and you should just install the kernel-source packages from your install CDs or over the Internet, then you'll be good to go. Alternatively, just download the latest stable kernel.org kernel, configure it carefully to make sure all necessary hardware support is built in directly or as a module, and rebuild.

kernel-x.y.z-p

x - major version number
y - minor version number
z - extra version number
p - patch level

Correct me guys if I am wrong. There are numerous kernel compile how-to's around.

here's one what I use
http://thomer.com/linux/migrate-to-2.6.html

Also there's a nice how-to on this site too.

Try google...there's a real wealth of info.

Good luck!

hi there

u should download the latest source from kernel.org
say 2.6.7
then from ur preseent kernel u have a config file of the kernel installed in uyr system at /boot directory
so load that config file in ur 2.6.7 kernel configuration
so now u have the working configuration and so
remove the modules u want to remove and add the one s required

complie this kernel and see if it works

Then, I have one more question.
If I choose to use the latest kernel from the kernel.org, then from that point, I guess the fedora up2date cannot update my kernel. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks a lot.

I believe you can edit /etc/yum.conf file to exclude kernel update. If you exclude kernel update, you can still get regular updates minus the kernel update.

Unfortunately, I do not know how to edit /etc/yum.conf. Can you give me some pointers about this?

Thanks.

open up command line and type this
here, gedit is a text editor. I use gedit you can use anyone you are familiar with (vi, emacs, pico, joe). Make sure you enter the super user mode.

$ su
and it will ask for password, enter your password and then
gedit /etc/yum.conf

In yum.conf you'll see a lines like

distroverpkg=1
exactarch=1
these are around first 10 or 15 lines.

If you have a line
include = kernel*

replace "include" by "exclude"

if you dont have a include=kernel* line,

enter this,
exclude=kernel*

after line exactarch=1

save the file and exit

you'll return to terminal
type exit to exit out of superuser mode.

Thats it,
If I'm wrong, correct me!

hi there

even if u upate ur kernel from fedora i think it would be of no use since
the kernel fedora is giving ,it is not providing support for ur hardware

so u need to compile it urself to get support for ur hardware

also kernel compilaton wil also help u to learn more

regards