Linux® Quick Fix Notebook

Chapter 33. Modifying the Linux Kernel to Improve Performance

In This Chapter

• Download and Install the Kernel Sources Package

• Kernel Modules

• Creating a Custom Kernel

• Updating GRUB

• Updating the Kernel Using RPMs

• Conclusion

Like a government that rules a nation and all its provinces, the Linux kernel is the central program that not only governs how programs interact with one another, but also provides the guidelines on how they should use the computer’s core infrastructure, such as memory, disks, and other input/output (I/O) devices for the user’s benefit.

Linux drivers, the programs that manage each I/O device, are the staff that keeps all the government departments running. Continuing with the analogy, the more departments you make the kernel manage, ...