Kernel

Today's operating systems are built in "layers". Each layer has different functions such as serial port access, disk access, and the user interface itself. The base layer, or the foundation of the operating system, is called a kernel. The kernel provides low-level services, such as the hardware-software interaction and memory management -- much like a kernel of corn. Or not.

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The Linux Kernel Archives

1. http://kernel.org/

Protocol Location

HTTP http://www.kernel.org/pub/

FTP ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/

RSYNC rsync://rsync.kernel.org/pub/

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The Linux Kernel HOWTO http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Kernel-HOWTO.html

ou compile Linux kernel for one of following reasons:

   * You are doing kernel development

   * You are adding a new hardware to machine

   * You want to customize the kernel and do not want the default kernel shipped out to you.

   * For Defence Industries or Military applications, you must read the kernel source code and compile with your own hands. No exceptions!! (U.S Dept of Defence compiles the Linux kernel before distributing computers).

   * Every country and every Govt. compiles the kernel on site for security. Every Govt. audits each and every line of kernel before using the computer.

   * Each and every University in the world compiles the kernel before using any computer!

   * For your education and knowledge of Linux kernel and ofcourse, just for fun!

   * For very advanced scientific applications - you may need to do kernel compile

   * And for many hundreds of reasons - too numerous to list!

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2.2 For the Impatient

  1. Unpack the sources
  2. Optional - You can copy the .config file from your old linux kernel source tree to new kernel tree (may save time, if you want to reuse the old settings).
  3. make clean; make mrproper
  4. make xconfig
  5. make dep
  6. make
  7. make bzImage
  8. make modules
  9. make install
 10. make modules_install
 11. configure LILO or GRUB.
 12. Optional - make clean (If you want to free up disk space)