By Greg Kroah-Hartman
First Edition
December 2006
Pages: 198
Series: In a Nutshell
ISBN 10: 0-596-10079-5 |
ISBN 13: 9780596100797
(Average of 3 Customer Reviews)
Linux Kernel in a Nutshell covers the entire
range of kernel tasks, starting with downloading the source and making
sure that the kernel is in sync with the versions of the tools you
need. In addition to configuration and installation steps, the book
offers reference material and discussions of related topics such as
control of kernel options at runtime.
Full Description
Written by a leading developer and maintainer of the Linux kernel, Linux Kernel in a Nutshell is a comprehensive overview of kernel configuration and building, a critical task for Linux users and administrators.
No distribution can provide a Linux kernel that meets all users' needs. Computers big and small have special requirements that require reconfiguring and rebuilding the kernel. Whether you are trying to get sound, wireless support, and power management working on a laptop or incorporating enterprise features such as logical volume management on a large server, you can benefit from the insights in this book.
Linux Kernel in a Nutshell covers the entire range of kernel tasks, starting with downloading the source and making sure that the kernel is in sync with the versions of the tools you need. In addition to configuration and installation steps, the book offers reference material and discussions of related topics such as control of kernel options at runtime.
A key benefit of the book is a chapter on determining exactly what drivers are needed for your hardware. Also included are recipes that list what you need to do to accomplish a wide range of popular tasks.
Featured customer reviews
thanks!, November 05 2007
Thanks to the book,i become loving liunx.^_^
Great Kernel reference, April 15 2007
Nowadays its less common for a user to have to compile a kernel, but there are times that if you don't do it a given device will no work properly (or at all). Despite the huge amount of Linux distributions available none is able to fulfill every user requirement. Configuring a laptop or installing a server requires different sets of modules with imply reconfiguring and recompiling the kernel. If you want to listen to a music, enable power management on a laptop or install some enterprise grade features like RAID or LVM this book is surely to help you.
The "Linux Kernel in a Nutshell" was written by one of the most renoun Linux kernel hackers, Greg Kroab-Hartman. Greg Kroab-Hartman develops system drivers since 1999 and is currently responsible for several of the kernel's subsystems, udev and hotplug.
This book was written to explain everything with is necessary to compile and install a Linux kernel. You don't need any prior programming experience but is most recommend some knowledge of the Linux system and it's command line.
The "Linux Kernel in a Nutshell" is quite complete and clear making it easy for the reader to compile its first kernel in just a few hours after having the book. Kroab-Hartman manages to do this supplying plenty of information in a well structured form that makes its reading extraordinarily easy.
The first chapters explain how to obtain and compile the kernel with is very light reading (about one hour). In the next chapters he explains how to customize your kernel. Finally at the end there is a list of boot and compilation parameters.
If you have some experience with Linux or you usually compile your kernel the information available in this book is a bit too simple never the less useful. If you never compiled a Kernel this book will save you plenty of time.
I recommend "Linux Kernel in a Nutshell" to every Linux user with wishes to learn a bit more how it's Linux system works.
Great for the first time kernel builder!, January 18 2007
When you are ready to build your own linux kernel this is a great book to read! Greg achieves his goal of providing lots of kernel building information in one easily useable source. He explains without being wordy and lets you learn from his ample experience. Chapters 1-6 deal with getting and building a vanilla kernel and should take you about an hour to read. Chapter 7 is neat because it shows how to isolate exactly what hardware you need to build for to optimize a running system. Chapters 9-11 cover half the book in reference format; boot parameters, build parameters, and configuration options.
If you are a kernel hacker the material is a bit light. However, if you have never built a kernel before you will save hours by this one read. I particularly like the reference style because I can study as much as my brain can absorb, make notes, and come back when I have a question.
Excellent companion and comprehensive reference, January 15 2007
Submitted by Anonymous Reader [Respond | View]
This is a very helpful introduction and reference book on getting started with the Linux kernel. Especially when you are newbie, the book is bound to save you many hours of groping around. Fully recommended.
Media reviews
"When you are ready to build your own linux kernel this is a great book to read! Greg achieves his goal of providing lots of kernel building information in one easily useable source. He explains without being wordy and lets you learn from his ample experience...If you are a kernel hacker the material is a bit light. However, if you have never built a kernel before you will save hours by this one read. I particularly like the reference style because I can study as much as my brain can absorb, make notes, and come back when I have a question."
-- Leam Hall, Amazon.com
"It's never going to be simple to reach into the deepest part of the computer's software and start fiddling with the knobs. And it's certainly not for everyone. But for students, the technically savvy, people who want to see what Richard Stallman is talking about when he says 'free as in free speech,' or just poseurs who want to beef up their cocktail party conversation, Kroah-Hartman's book is terrific."
-- Stephen Shankland, CNET News.com
