LPI Linux Certification in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition

Objective 2: Reconfigure, Build, and Install a Custom Kernel and Kernel Modules

Because Linux is an open source operating system, you are free to create a customized Linux kernel that suits your specific needs and hardware. For example, you may wish to create a kernel for your system if your distribution installed a generic kernel that was compiled using the 80386 instruction set. Such a kernel will run on any compatible processor but may not utilize some of the capabilities of newer processors. Running a kernel optimized for your particular CPU can enhance its performance.

You can also install new kernels to add features, fix bugs, or experiment with kernels still under development. While the compilation of such kernels isn't much of a leap beyond recompiling your existing version, it's beyond the scope of the LPIC Level 1 Exams.

Kernel Background

If you are new to the idea of building a custom kernel, don't feel intimidated. Linux developers have created a simple and reliable process that you can follow, and everything you need is available in your Linux distribution.

Kernel versions

Nearly all software projects, even small ones, use a numerical version scheme to describe each successive release. Kernel versions are numbered using the following convention:

major.minor.patchlevel
            

Major release

Increments in the major release indicate major developmental milestones in the kernel . The present release is 2.6.13 (don't let the low major release number fool you—there have been plenty of ...