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How To Update Kernel

This document provides steps to compile the Linux kernel version 2.6 under Debian GNU/Linux. It explains how to download the kernel source code from kernel.org, extract and configure it, compile the kernel and modules, install them to /boot, create an initrd image, modify the GRUB configuration file to add an entry for the new kernel, and finally reboot to test the new kernel.

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g00dfriend
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63 views

How To Update Kernel

This document provides steps to compile the Linux kernel version 2.6 under Debian GNU/Linux. It explains how to download the kernel source code from kernel.org, extract and configure it, compile the kernel and modules, install them to /boot, create an initrd image, modify the GRUB configuration file to add an entry for the new kernel, and finally reboot to test the new kernel.

Uploaded by

g00dfriend
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to: Compile Linux kernel 2.

6
by nixcraft · 102 comments

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 by step howto covers compiling Linux kernel
version 2.6.xx under Debian GNU Linux. However, instructions remains the same for any other
distribution except for apt-get command.

Step # 1 Get Latest Linux kernel code


Visit http://kernel.org/ and download the latest source code. File name would be linux-
x.y.z.tar.bz2, where x.y.z is actual version number. For example file inux-2.6.25.tar.bz2
represents 2.6.25 kernel version. Use 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

Note: Replace x.y.z with actual version number.

Step # 2 Extract tar (.tar.bz3) file


Type the following command:
# tar -xjvf linux-2.6.25.tar.bz2 -C /usr/src
# cd /usr/src

Step # 3 Configure kernel


Before you configure kernel make sure you have development tools (gcc compilers and related
tools) are installed on your system. If gcc compiler and tools are not installed then use apt-get
command under Debian Linux to install development tools.
# apt-get install gcc

Now you can start kernel configuration by typing any one of the command:

• $ make menuconfig - Text based color menus, radiolists & dialogs. This option also
useful on remote server if you wanna compile kernel remotely.
• $ make xconfig - X windows (Qt) based configuration tool, works best under KDE
desktop
• $ make gconfig - X windows (Gtk) based configuration tool, works best under Gnome
Dekstop.

For example make menuconfig command launches following screen:


$ make menuconfig

You have to select different options as per your need. Each configuration option has HELP
button associated with it so select help button to get help.

Step # 4 Compile kernel


Start compiling to create a compressed kernel image, enter:
$ make
Start compiling to kernel modules:
$ make modules

Install kernel modules (become a root user, use su command):


$ su -
# make modules_install

Step # 5 Install kernel


So far we have compiled kernel and installed kernel modules. It is time to install kernel itself.
# make install

It will install three files into /boot directory as well as modification to your kernel grub
configuration file:

• System.map-2.6.25
• config-2.6.25
• vmlinuz-2.6.25

Step # 6: Create an initrd image


Type the following command at a shell prompt:
# cd /boot
# mkinitrd -o initrd.img-2.6.25 2.6.25

initrd images contains device driver which needed to load rest of the operating system later on.
Not all computer requires initrd, but it is safe to create one.

Step # 7 Modify Grub configuration file -


/boot/grub/menu.lst
Open file using vi:
# vi /boot/grub/menu.lst

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.25 Default


root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/hdb1 ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.25
savedefault
boot

Remember to setup correct root=/dev/hdXX device. Save and close the file. If you think editing
and writing all lines by hand is too much for you, try out update-grub command to update the
lines for each kernel in /boot/grub/menu.lst file. Just type the command:
# update-grub
Neat. Huh?

Step # 8 : Reboot computer and boot into your new kernel


Just issue reboot command:
# reboot
For more information see:

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