Where to get more sources of kernel configration

fangwen

I've been reading the Gentoo Linux Handbook recently. I find that the kernel configuration part is
short for me.

So do you have some more kernel configuration related sources or any advice for me?

I want to get a full list of kernel configuration options, but where can I get it?

avx · Advocate Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 2152

Well, there's documentation inside the kernel-src itself, you can select help for any item in `make menuconfig`, you could start with a kernel seed and go from there and of course, there's always Google.

What exactly is your problem? Do you have fear of the kernel not being able to boot your system? Do you want to keep it small? Do you need special features usually not used on a desktop/notebook?
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aCOSwt · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 2:06 pm Post subject:

I have frequently relied on what I could find under the /usr/src/linux/Documentation directory.
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fangwen · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:06 am Post subject:

I do have fear of the kernel not being able to boot up. Actually I have been preparing for Gentoo installation
for about 2 weeks and I am still a little confused.

Will the default configuration work?

m.s.w · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 1:47 pm Post subject:

Don't be scared. Just find out how to configure your boot manager (LILO or GRUB, whichever you use) to have an selection at boot. Then you keep your working configuratin at one position, and the second one will be your testing one where you will test your new, "hand-made" kernel.

Mine /etc/lilo.conf

avx · Advocate Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 2152

Mepho · Arch/Herd Tester Joined: 31 Jul 2011 Posts: 14

All I ever had to use was 'h' button for help, '/' for search in menuconfig. When I wasnt sure about anything, I either used google or experimented.
Also this page may be helpfull:
http://kmuto.jp/debian/hcl/index.rhtmlx
Just drop in output from 'lspci -n' and it will search for compat. hw and needed kernel modules (keep in mind that it only works for pci components of mobo and such, but it helps a lot though it's lil outdated and tailored towards debianees).
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gerard27 · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:11 pm Post subject:

I am surprised no one mentioned Pappy's kernel seeds.
http://kernel-seeds.org/
Here you can find the info you need I think.
Gerard.
_________________
To install Gentoo I use sysrescuecd.Based on Gentoo,has firefox to browse Gentoo docs and mc to browse (and edit) files.
The same disk can be used for 32 and 64 bit installs.
You can follow the Handbook verbatim.
http://www.sysresccd.org/Download

avx · Advocate Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 2152

gerard27 · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:52 pm Post subject:

Sorry avx.
Must have overlooked it.
Gerard.
_________________
To install Gentoo I use sysrescuecd.Based on Gentoo,has firefox to browse Gentoo docs and mc to browse (and edit) files.
The same disk can be used for 32 and 64 bit installs.
You can follow the Handbook verbatim.
http://www.sysresccd.org/Download

avx · Advocate Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 2152

No problem, can't be mentioned enough

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ultraslinky · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 2:28 am Post subject:

Keep in mind... those kernel seeds say they are "tweaked for performance". A laptop / netbook won't like those settings very much, all the power saving options are turned off.

But hey fangwen, i recommend you don't use genkernel. Use the default kernel menuconfig, it's a learning experience. And the only kernel option that is really, really crucial to booting is the hard disk section: make sure you have that compiled into the kernel and not as a module (my first kernel failed booting because of that). And read the kernel helps, they are usually very informative.

Or then you could use genkernel for the first kernel and then do as m.s.w said.

fangwen · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 3:44 am Post subject:

Thank you so much for all your help and advice.

Now I am quite confident of kernel configuration. I am not going to use genkernel because the spirit of Gentoo is choice and DIY.

First make it run, then make it run faster, right?

ultraslinky · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 2:47 pm Post subject:

Well yeah, that's the spirit. Of course, as avx said, there's no "magic 50% speed increase" option, most of the options in the kernel are about device support, and if they are not used they will just make your kernel larger. Maybe the biggest speed increase i have seen by modifying the kernel options is to disable kernel debugging, but of course you only do that when your system is up and running fine