Chapter 8. Kernel Configuration Recipes

Previous chapters taught the mechanics of reconfiguring the kernel; the payoff comes in this chapter where you can find all the most common kinds of changes people need to make to their kernels, with specific instructions on how to do so.

Disks

The Linux kernel supports a wide range of different disk types. This section shows how to configure the kernel so that it supports most of the more common types of disk controllers.

USB storage

To use a USB storage device (commonly referred to as USB "flash" device, or an external USB disk drive) USB support must be first working properly. Refer to the recipe in USB for how to do this.

A USB storage device can be identified by using the lsusb program. If the following command sequence produces the results shown, a USB storage device is present on the system:

$ /usr/sbin/lsusb -v | grep Storage
      bInterfaceClass         8 Mass Storage

Enable it as follows.

  1. A USB Storage device is in reality a USB SCSI device that talks over a USB connection. Because of this, the SCSI subsystem must be enabled: 

    Device Drivers
    SCSI Device Support
        [*] SCSI Device Support

  2. Also in the SCSI system, the "SCSI disk support" must be enabled in order for the device to be mounted properly: 

    Device Drivers
	SCSI Device Support
		[*] SCSI disk support

  3. Enable USB Storage support: 

    Device Drivers
	USB Support
	[M] USB Mass Storage support

A number of specific USB storage devices are listed as separate configuration items, as they do not follow the standard USB ...

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