Kernel Options

[therandthem]

Can you please add a description of each Kernel option and what one might want to do with each?

Thanks,

therandthem

[brett]

Describing all the options in the kernel would take a very long time. :) Reading the documentation that comes with the kernel is a very good place to start. Also, while compiling the kernel, there is a help option that will explain what many of the features do.

It might be good to mention, though, that there is generally no reason to compile modules for the kernels. Unless you have a very specific feature provided by a module, the basic setup should be sufficient for nearly everyone.

[therandthem]

In the 2.6 series there are versions that mention V-Linux and Xen. What are they and why would I want to use them? That's all.

[brett]

Xen and V-Linux are not part of the standard linux kernel, but virtualization software. Basically what it amounts to is that if you install this software, you can run linux within linux. Generally, it would only be useful if you're planning to resell services to your own customers, though there are other uses.

For example, unixshell.com will install Xen on of their servers running linux, and that allows them to create and sell countless virtual machines that run within the single server. To the outside world, each of the virtual machines appear as an independent server.

Though you probably won't need to worry about it, a quick google search should give you all the information you'd need for both. :)

[matta]

Well the -xenU kernels are just the standard kernels required for the VM's. The "+vserver" one allows VServer capability which is a kernel patch. It allows to run Virtual Private Servers or secure services inside your VM. The website is www.linux-vserver.org. You can search for this, another thread elaborates on it a little bit more.

[therandthem]

Well the -xenU kernels are just the standard kernels required for the VM's. If that is the case then why is there an option that mentions -xenU and one that does not?

Thanks,

therandthem

[matta]

Hrm... from what I see all kernels (both 2.6 and 2.4) are -xenU kernels. The latest-linux-2.x kernels are simply symbolic links on the host to whatever is the latest kernel from each branch.

[therandthem]

The latest-linux-2.x kernels are simply symbolic links on the host to whatever is the latest kernel from each branch.What I understand, then, is that selecting "latest", my kernel will be automatically updated anytime you update it and I reboot?

[matta]

Yes.. exactly, right now 'latest-linux-2.6' is linked to 2.6.10, once we release 2.6.11 the link will change. When you reboot you will then have 2.6.11. Kernel updates will be posted to the announcements section of the forum.