The Key To Your Linux System is the Kernel

When you move in to a new house you should always make new keys, as is the case with you Linux system.

Building the Linux Kernel

Read /usr/src/linux/README.

cd /usr/include
rm -rf asm linux scsi
ln -s /usr/src/linux/include/asm-i386 asm
ln -s /usr/src/linux/include/linux linux
ln -s /usr/src/linux/include/scsi scsi
cd /usr/src/linux
make mrproper
make config
make dep
make zImage

When compiling the kernel if you don't understand the option, read help. If you still don't understand the option leave it alone.

Configuration Alternatives

make menuconfig

make xconfig

Installing the Linux Kernel

Copy the new kernel to a temporary location on the root filesystem and update /etc/lilo.conf to test the new kernel image.

Sample /etc/lilo.conf File

boot=/dev/sda3                      # where to install lilo
map=/boot/map                       # lilo config file (default)
install=/boot/boot.b                # lilo config file (default)
prompt                              # ask me which image to boot
timeout=50                          # only wait for 5 seconds
image=/vmlinuz                      # path to kernel image
	label=linux                 # label to identify image
	root=/dev/sda3              # root filesystem
	password=goaway             # password protect image
	restricted                  # only require password if boot options present
	read-only                   # initially mount / read-only
image=/vmlinuz_newkernel            # path to a second image
	label=linux_test            # a unique second label
	root=/dev/sda3
	initrd=/boot/initrd
	read-only

Update the boot record by running /sbin/lilo -C /etc/lilo.conf.

Protect the boot password with chmod 600 /etc/lilo.conf.

Last Modified: 13 April 1997