n00b: How do you know what is a module?

[MrFizziks]

I know this is a n00b question, and I've searched for the answer and can't find it so here goes...but first some background:

I just finished my first ever installation of Gentoo and ran into issues along the way. By far the hardest to fix (due to the fact I can't read ;-) was compiling pcnet32 as a module instead of directly into the kernel. It just wouldn't work in the kernel.

My question is this: When compiling the kernel how do you know what to compile directly into the kermel and what can/should/has to be compiled as a module? Is there some doc I'm missing? Trial and error?

[potatoface]

hi,

for my part i compile only network cards and sound card as modules.

maybe you compile the *really important* things directly into the kernel.
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[yinyang]

Usually both settings work, you might want to use modules for things like usb or on laptops pcmcia drivers since compiling them into the kernel seems like a waste of space to me when they are not permanently pluged in.

What you definetly want to compile into the kernel is support for your filesystem and anything else that is essantial for the computer to boot before he has access to /lib/modules.

For anyhting else it just depends on your flavor.

[NeddySeagoon]

MrFizziks,

When you are learning about kernel config its the school of hard knocks but there are some rules of thumb to help.

1. Say Y to anything you need to boot the box. Thats the root filesystem, the chip set drivers for the discs and the low level stuff for IDE or SCSI, or whatever your root drive is attached to.

2. Say N to things you won't need. Like ISDN, Old CD-ROMS, ISA support if yor motherboard doesn't have ISA slots.

3. Say M to things to be added after booting. Like network cards, sound, USB, Video and so on.

4. Read the help for every option and don't mess if you don't understand it. The default settings are 'mostly harmless'

Everyonses set up is different. It hlps if you know what hardware you have. Modules make for easier debugging too becasue they can be added, configured and removed from a running kernel.

There is some good reading in /usr/src/linux/Documentation too
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NeddySeagoon

Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail.

[MrFizziks]