Datasheet

“main” (Installation and Administration) — 2004/6/25 — 13:29 — page 235 — #261
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9
The Linux Kernel
9.2 Kernel Sources
To build a kernel, the package kernel-source must be installed. Ad-
ditional packages, like the C compiler (package gcc), the GNU binutils
(package binutils), and the include files for the C compiler (package
glibc-devel), are selected for installation automatically by YaST.
After installation, the kernel sources are located in /usr/src/linux-
<kernel-version>/. If you plan to experiment with different kernels,
unpack them in different subdirectories and create a symbolic link to the
current kernel source. As there are software packages that rely on the
sources being in /usr/src/linux/, maintain this directory as a symbolic
link to your current kernel source. YaST does this automatically.
9.3 Kernel Configuration
The configuration of the current kernel is stored in the file /proc/
config.gz. To modify this configuration, go to the directory /usr/src/
linux/ as root and execute the following commands:
zcat /proc/config.gz > .config
make oldconfig
The command make oldconfig uses the file /usr/src/linux/
.config as a template for the current kernel configuration. Any new op-
tions for your current kernel sources will be queried. If the file .config
does not exist, the default configuration included in the kernel sources will
be used.
9.3.1 Configuration on the Command Line
To configure the kernel, change to /usr/src/linux and enter the com-
mand make config. Choose the features you want supported by the ker-
nel. Usually, There are two or three options:
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Y ,
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N , and
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M .
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M means that
this device will not be compiled directly into the kernel, but loaded as a
module. Drivers needed for booting the system must be integrated into the
kernel with
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Y . Press
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Enter to confirm the default settings read from the file
.config. Press any other key to view a brief help text about the respective
option.
235SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server