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Yoda_Oz
Tux's lil' helper
Joined: 20 Jul 2004
Posts: 143
Location: Southampton, UK
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 Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2005 8:47 pm Post subject: Compile as module or into kernel? |
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This may sound like a really dumb question and i think so too because i cant seem to find an answer anywhere which means its probably common sense or too commonly well-known...
but...
how do you know, when compiling the kernel, whether to compile something as a module or actually into the kernel itself? you know... "m" vs. "*" when your in the menuconfig.
ie for rivafb for example i can either have "M" as the option or "*".
how do you know which one to choose?
cheers!
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bet1m
l33t
Joined: 04 Dec 2004
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Location: Kosova/Prishtine
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2005 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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"*" 
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Yoda_Oz
Tux's lil' helper
Joined: 20 Jul 2004
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Location: Southampton, UK
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2005 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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im sorry but that has to be the least helpful reply in the history of the universe and everything in it!
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Intel P4 HT 3.06
512Mb
nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 64Mb
Actiontec 802CAT1 Wireless PCMCIA
Linux Kernel vmlinuz-2.6.10-2-386 |
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jpalan
n00b
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 61
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2005 9:39 pm Post subject: |
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If it's important, like some IDE chipset support or filesystem support, I always compile it in, even if it provides module option.
Less crucial stuff, like support for various devices, sound systems and stuff always goes as modules. |
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Yoda_Oz
Tux's lil' helper
Joined: 20 Jul 2004
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Location: Southampton, UK
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2005 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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but why? why cant you just compile everything into the kernel?
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DELL INSPIRON 5150 (2004)
Intel P4 HT 3.06
512Mb
nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 64Mb
Actiontec 802CAT1 Wireless PCMCIA
Linux Kernel vmlinuz-2.6.10-2-386 |
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Pink
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Joined: 24 Jul 2003
Posts: 1062
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2005 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Yoda_Oz wrote: | | but why? why cant you just compile everything into the kernel? |
You can, it is personal preference.
I personally compile everything in - my sound card doesn't change, not does my agp or usb facilities and so on.
You will find people like one way or the other. There are arguments for both.
I would only make a module if I was testing something that would not be permanent - and frankly I can't think of anything I use that is not permanent.
An example is Win4Lin (I do some patches for people to use on my site) and I always compile it in. Some people have it as modules.
It is up to you. Try both ways and see which you prefer. The module way will have a smaller bzImage as you are loading some stuff as modules, the compiled in way has a slightly bigger bzImage but you don't have to add anything into any other files and have the boot up sequence read it, etc.
The only thing I have as a module is the ATI driver and that is becasue I don't have a lot of choice int he matter.
HTH 
I know you have searched but there are a few threads on this (I don't know where) and neither way is a 'better' way than the other. |
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jpalan
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Joined: 19 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2005 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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| But however, if you have a driver that needs certain options to work correctly, how do you do that if you compile it in? |
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Pink
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2005 10:29 pm Post subject: |
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| jpalan wrote: | | But however, if you have a driver that needs certain options to work correctly, how do you do that if you compile it in? |
No idea, I did say 'I would only make a module if I was testing something that would not be permanent' - I don't use anything like you describe.
If you need to compile something as a module - or prefer it that way then do so. My answer was directed at the question "but why? why cant you just compile everything into the kernel?" - if there are times when I had to use a module, I would. But apart from ATI I have never had to do that.
Edit:
Yoda_Oz:
Here is a link that dicusses this subject with regard to the ALSA (module or compiled in) - I haven't read it but it may be of help to you.
link
As said, above I have everything compiled in - including ALSA |
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Kernel & Hardware
