[solved] recompile kernel after linux-headers update?

T-Dawg · n00b Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 51

I guess I'm a little unclear about linux-headers. I can understand the need to recompile the glibc after an update but should the kernel be recompiled as well? If so is it because glibc was recompiled against the new linux-headers or because of linux-headers itself. Am a bit confused.

Thanks in advance.

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 2:52 pm Post subject:

T-Dawg,

The kernel provides its own headers, so there is no need to rebuild the kernel.
kernel-headers provides a stable set of headers for use by all packages that need to build against kernel headers.
This saves rebuilds because you have updated your kernel and thus got a new set of headers.

Binary distros often install kernel headers at /usr/src/linux. Gentoo can't do that, since the kernel of the day is there.
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NeddySeagoon

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T-Dawg · n00b Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 51

ah got it. Thanks for the help

batistuta · Veteran Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 1384 Location: Aachen

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 3:36 pm Post subject:

batistuta,

Yes - if you build things against headers that don't match your kernel, thats a problem if they make kernel calls directly.
Hence 3rd party modules build against whats at the end of /usr/src/linux.

In general, headers do not change every kernel release.
Providing you build against compatible headers, they need not e identical to the headers in the kernel of the day.
_________________
Regards,

NeddySeagoon

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