Compiling Linux Kernel 2.6.27

How to: Compile Linux kernel 2.6.27

Compiling custom kernel has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, new Linux user / admin find it difficult to compile Linux kernel. Compiling kernel needs to understand few things and then just type couple of commands. This step by step howto covers compiling Linux kernel version 2.6.xx under Debian GNU Linux. However, instructions remains the same for any other distribution except for apt-get command.

Step # 1 Get Latest Linux kernel code

Visit http://kernel.org/ and download the latest source code. File name would be linux-x.y.z.tar.bz, where x.y.z is actual version number. For example file
linux-2.6.27.tar.bz represents 2.6.27 kernel version. Use wget command to download kernel source code:
$ cd /tmp
$ wget http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/linux-x.y.z.tar.bz


Note: Replace x.y.z with actual version number.

Step # 2 Extract tar (.tar.bz) file

Type the following command:
# tar -xzvf linux-2.6.27.tar.bz -C /usr/src
# cd /usr/src

Step # 3 Configure kernel

Before you configure kernel make sure you have development tools (gcc compilers and related tools) are installed on your system. If gcc compiler and tools are not installed then use apt-get command under Debian Linux to install development tools.
# apt-get install gcc


Now you can start kernel configuration by typing any one of the command:

* $ make menuconfig - Text based color menus, radiolists & dialogs. This option also useful on remote server if you wanna compile kernel remotely.
* $ make xconfig - X windows (Qt) based configuration tool, works best under KDE desktop
* $ make gconfig - X windows (Gtk) based configuration tool, works best under Gnome Dekstop.


For example make menuconfig command launches following screen:
$ make menuconfig

You have to select different options as per your need. Each configuration option has HELP button associated with it so select help button to get help.

Step # 4 Compile kernel

Start compiling to create a compressed kernel image, enter:
$ make
Start compiling to kernel modules:
$ make modules

Step # 5 Install kernel modules

Install kernel modules (become a root user, use su command):
$ su -
# make modules_install
It will install all the module under /lib/modules/ directory.

Step # 6 Install kernel

So far we have compiled kernel and installed kernel modules. It is time to install kernel itself.
# make install

It will install three files into /boot directory as well as modification to your kernel grub configuration file:

* System.map-2.6.27
* config-2.6.27
* vmlinuz-2.6.27

OR

But if don't want to install the kernel on the same machine as on which it i being compiled then.
# make bzImage
Where bzImage is a files created after step 4 in the current working directory.

It will create the three files into current directory.

Step # 7: Create an initrd image

Type the following command at a shell prompt:
# cd /boot
# mkinitramfs -o initrd.img-2.6.27 2.6.27

If using fedora/redhat type the following command at a shell prompt:
# mkinitrd -o initrd.img-2.6.27 2.6.27

initrd images contains device driver which needed to load rest of the operating system later on. Not all computer requires initrd, but it is safe to create one.

Step # 8 Modify Grub configuration file - /boot/grub/menu.lst

Open file using vi:
# vi /boot/grub/menu.lst

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.27 Default
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27 root=/dev/hdb1 ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27
boot

Remember to setup correct root=/dev/hdXX device. Save and close the file. If you think editing and writing all lines by hand is too much for you, try out update-grub command to update the lines for each kernel in /boot/grub/menu.lst file. Just type the command:
# update-grub

Neat. Huh?

Step # 9 : Reboot computer and boot into your new kernel

Just issue reboot command:
# reboot