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How To: Compile Linux Kernel 2.6

This document provides step-by-step instructions for compiling the Linux kernel version 2.6 under Debian Linux. It covers downloading the kernel source code, extracting and configuring the kernel, compiling the kernel and modules, installing the new kernel, creating an initrd image, modifying the GRUB configuration file to add the new kernel, and rebooting into the new kernel.

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Srithesweety
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54 views

How To: Compile Linux Kernel 2.6

This document provides step-by-step instructions for compiling the Linux kernel version 2.6 under Debian Linux. It covers downloading the kernel source code, extracting and configuring the kernel, compiling the kernel and modules, installing the new kernel, creating an initrd image, modifying the GRUB configuration file to add the new kernel, and rebooting into the new kernel.

Uploaded by

Srithesweety
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to: Compile Linux kernel 2.

6
Compiling custom kernel has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, new Linux user /
admin find it difficult to compile Linux kernel. Compiling kernel needs to understand few things
and then just type couple of commands. This step y step howto covers compiling Linux kernel
version !.".xx under #eian $%& Linux. However, instructions remains the same for any other
distriution except for apt'get command.
Step # 1 Get Latest Linux kernel code
(isit http)//kernel.org/ and download the latest source code. *ile name would e linux'
x.y.+.tar.+!, where x.y.+ is actual version numer. *or example file inux'!.".!,.tar.+!
represents !.".!, kernel version. &se wget command to download kernel source code)
$ cd /tmp
$ wget http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/linux-x.y.z.tar.bz2
%ote) -eplace x.y.+ with actual version numer.
Step # 2 Extract tar (.tar.!"# $ile
Type the following command)
# tar -xv! linux-2.6.2".tar.bz2 -# /u$r/$rc
# cd /u$r/$rc
Step # " Con$i%ure kernel
.efore you configure kernel make sure you have development tools /gcc compilers and related
tools0 are installed on your system. 1f gcc compiler and tools are not installed then use apt'get
command under #eian Linux to install development tools.
# apt-get in$tall gcc
%ow you can start kernel configuration y typing any one of the command)
& make menucon$i% ' Text ased color menus, radiolists 2 dialogs. This option also
useful on remote server if you wanna compile kernel remotely.
& make xcon$i% ' 3 windows /4t0 ased configuration tool, works est under 5#6
desktop
& make %con$i% ' 3 windows /$tk0 ased configuration tool, works est under $nome
#ekstop.
*or example make menuconfig command launches following screen)
$ make menucon!ig
7ou have to select different options as per your need. 6ach configuration option has H6L8
utton associated with it so select help utton to get help.
Step # ' Compile kernel
9tart compiling to create a compressed kernel image, enter)
$ make
9tart compiling to kernel modules)
$ make module$
1nstall kernel modules /ecome a root user, use su command0)
$ $u -
# make module$%in$tall
Step # ( )nstall kernel
9o far we have compiled kernel and installed kernel modules. 1t is time to install kernel itself.
# make in$tall
1t will install three files into /oot directory as well as modification to your kernel gru
configuration file)
9ystem.map'!.".!,
config'!.".!,
vmlinu+'!.".!,
Step # 6: Create an initrd ima%e
Type the following command at a shell prompt)
# cd /boot
# mkinitrd -o initrd.img-2.6.2" 2.6.2"
initrd images contains device driver which needed to load rest of the operating system later on.
%ot all computer re:uires initrd, ut it is safe to create one.
Step # * +odi$, Gru con$i%uration $ile -
.oot.%ru.menu.lst
;pen file using vi)
# vi /boot/grub/menu.l$t
title &ebian '()/*inux+ kernel 2.6.2" &e!ault
root ,hd-+-.
kernel /boot/vmlinuz root//dev/hdb0 ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.2"
$avede!ault
boot
-ememer to setup correct root</dev/hd33 device. 9ave and close the file. 1f you think editing
and writing all lines y hand is too much for you, try out update'gru command to update the
lines for each kernel in /oot/gru/menu.lst file. =ust type the command)
# update-grub
%eat. Huh>
Step # / : 0eoot computer and oot into ,our new kernel
=ust issue reoot command)
# reboot

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