[wellylug] Dumb questions 101 - How to compile a more modern Kernel for Debian

Enkidu enkidu at cliffp.com
Fri Jan 23 22:33:57 NZDT 2004


On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 21:08:17 +1300, you wrote:

>Hey,
>
>On Fri, Jan 23, 2004 at 06:57:46PM +1300, Enkidu wrote:
><snip>
>> <troll text="You don't have to bite!!" >
>> I don't know why people pick Debian (or other package based distros)
>> for its package management system (they do!) and then compile things
>> over the top of it! It might be necessary for the odd package or
>> driver, but I've not felt the need over several years of personal and
>> professional use of package based distributions!
>> </troll>
><snip>
>
>I'm feeling hungry so here's some possible reasons why the kernel binary 
>package isn't good enough:
>
>- Bloat. When you're configuring a kernel for use in a package you have
>  to take into account that the compiled product is going to be used on
>  a number of different systems with different device driver needs. In
>  compiling your own kernel you have the luxury of being able to
>  optimize the configuration to suit the needs of the individual
>  machine. Disabling LKMs comes to mind..
>
Not a compelling reason. A stripped kernel or a kernel compiled for a
particular architechture doesn't always mean a significantly faster
kernel.
>
>- Not only can you optimize the kernel, but also cover the need for 
>  obscure kernel configurations not covered by the binary package if
>  that so arised. SMP comes to mind.
>
Which is rare, and also I think Debian provides SMP kernels.
>
>- Third party kernel patches or variations of the official source tree. 
>  It's becoming more and more popular to use kernel hardening patches 
>  such as grsecurity or openwall. Often people for some reason or 
>  another insist on using modified kernel series such as -ac or -mm.
>
Mmm, also a rare occurrence, probably. If someone needs a special
kernel, they probably shouldn't be using a standard distribution.
>
>Any more? Possibly, but they get pretty pedantic. As for userland
>programs, I tend to agree that in most situations packages suffice.
>One of the situations where compilation comes to mind is needing a 
>critical service to be optimized while still enjoying the niceties of a
>binary distribution. Having cake and eating it too?

Responses inline. The pure package approach works for me, but even
though I can't understand it, I can understand that some people differ
from that opinion.

Cheers,

Cliff
-- 

The complete lack of evidence is the surest sign
that the conspiracy is working.



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