201.2 - Compiling a kernel

Weight: 3

Description: Candidates should be able to properly configure a kernel to include or disable specific features of the Linux kernel as necessary. This objective includes compiling and recompiling the Linux kernel as needed, updating and noting changes in a new kernel, creating an initrd image and installing new kernels.

Key Knowledge Areas:

• /usr/src/linux/
• Kernel Makefiles
• Kernel 2.6.x/3.x make targets
• Customize the current kernel configuration.
• Build a new kernel and appropriate kernel modules.
• Install a new kernel and any modules.
• Ensure that the boot manager can locate the new kernel and associated files.
• Module configuration files
• Use DKMS to compile kernel modules.
• Awareness of dracut

Terms and Utilities:

• mkinitrd
• mkinitramfs
• make
• make targets (all, config, xconfig, menuconfig, gconfig, oldconfig, mrproper, zImage, bzImage, modules, modules_install, rpm-pkg, binrpm-pkg, deb-pkg)
• gzip
• bzip2
• module tools
• /usr/src/linux/.config
• /lib/modules/kernel-version/
• depmod
• dkms