Hello,
Normally we prefer to just use the RPM method to install a
Linux kernel on a server, which is definitely easy and cause less trouble to get the server working. However if you are comfortable with Linux structure and what to have a customized
Linux Kernel on your server with the Modules of your choice then here are the steps for you. These steps can be used for Valina as well as standard kernels.
How to compile kernel manually?
There are two ways to compile a kernel:
1. Install a RPM package.
2. An orthodox method of doing it manually.
This tutorial will show you the orthodox method.
*** Steps to compile a kernel on Linux server. ***
(Estimated time is 45-60 mins)
The Pre-Compilation Stage.
1. Login as root into the server.
2. Copy the current modules listed in lsmod command in a notepad.
3. Check the CPU configuration of the system.
4. Copy the grub.cong file in a notepad.
Code:
cat /boot/grub/grub.conf
5. Goto /usr/src/
6. Download kernel you require from kernel.org
Code:
wget http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/linux-x.x.x.x.tar.gz
(Where x.x.x.x is the make of the kernel)
7. untar the zipped file.
Code:
tar zxf linux-2.6.15.4.tar.gz
8. Goto in the folder extracted
Compilations Stage.
You have a number of ways of going through the possible modules to include.
-- make config: A sequential text-based selection method. Takes a loooooong time.
-- make menuconfig: uses a text-terminal pseudo-graphic interface.
-- make xconfig: A version of menuconfig for X Window if you have it running. You need to have X server running to use this step.
But we will use the oldconfig method since we do not want to make any major changes which might end up being a complete mess.
Before we fire the oldconfig command we will have to copy the old configuration in the new Linux kernel.
And to do that we will have to check the current version kernel installed on the system.
which will show something like :
Code:
Linux 'hostname' 2.6.9-11.ELsmp #1 SMP Wed Jun 8 17:54:20 CDT 2005 i686 athlon i386 GNU/Linux
9. Now copy the config file of 2.6.9-11.ELsmp into new kernel as .config
Code:
cp /boot/config-2.6.9-11.ELsmp /usr/src/linux-2.6.15.4/.config
10. Then
11. And
12. And now we hit the oldconfig
You will get a list of information and then it will ask you to confirm the modules.
You can just keep on hitting Enter key to set them to default BUT be carefull that you donot pass the CPU selection.
YOU WILL NEED TO SELECT THE CORRECT CPU ON YOUR SYSTEM INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE /proc/cpuinfo FILE.
And also select
1 i.e : "(No Forced Preemption (server))" in the very next opition and then keep on hitting Enter again.
14. Create an Image
15. Unpack the modules.
16. Install the modules .
Code:
make modules_install
17. Now installing the kernel.
OK.. we have finished with the intallation, now it is time to configure GRUB to pickup the new Linux kernel on reboot. Since there are always chances for kernel to fail we would set GRUP take it only once and then go back to old so that incase any thing has gone wrong we can simply reboot again to get back on the old Linux kernel.
18. So this is how we do the trick:
above command will take you to grub prompt
then
Code:
grub > savedefault --default=0 --once
grub > quit
19. And finally reboot.
If every thing has gone fine then check the modules with
lsmod command and confirm that they are present specially iptables.
20. Now make change in /boot/grub/grub.conf to set the new kernel as default.
Code:
pico /boot/grub/grub.conf
change
to
THATS IT... WE ARE DONE WITH KERNEL COMPILATION ON A LINUX MACHINE.
Additional Information:
------------------------
What is Kernel ?
A.
1. Today's operating systems are built in "layers." Each layer has different functions such as serial port access, disk access, memory management, and the
user interface itself. The base layer, or the foundation of the operating system, is called the kernel. The kernel provides the most basic "low-level"
services, such as the hardware-software interaction and memory management. The more efficient the kernel is, the more efficiently the operating system will run.
2. It is important for the kernel to be as small as possible while still providing all the essential services required by other parts of the operating system and applications.
Why do we need customized Linux Kernel ?
A.
It depends on exactly what does your system require and is it supported by our current kernel or not ? However you need to be a guru in Linux to have your own kernel.
What we do here is use a kernel that is already tested by others and have come up with most of the bugs in the older version and install it with the old configuration. So that keeps us on minimum risk of server getting crashed.
Manually Compile a Linux Kernel
Linear Mode
