Skip site navigation (1)Skip section navigation (2)
Date:      Thu, 11 Jul 1996 21:30:41 +0300 (EET DST)
From:      Narvi <narvi@haldjas.folklore.ee>
To:        "Sexton, Robert" <sextonr.crestvie@squared.com>
Cc:        freebsd-hackers@freefall.freebsd.org
Subject:   Re: Kernel Config (Was: GENERIC Kernel Debate)
Message-ID:  <Pine.BSF.3.91.960711212245.16265A-100000@haldjas.folklore.ee>
In-Reply-To: <7366895B0187397C@mg01a.mhs.squared.com>

next in thread | previous in thread | raw e-mail | index | archive | help


On Thu, 11 Jul 1996, Sexton, Robert wrote:

> 
> Is it possible for us to get away from the use of compilers in kernel 
> config?  I come from the SCO world, and we have a nice mechanism for 
> adding and removing devices without recompiling the kernel.  It does have 
> to be relinked, but that's a much smaller job.  I'm actually 
> oversimplifying a little.  SCO (And AT&T, I think) use a table-driven 
> method for deciding what to link in, and then compile a few small 
> binaries which contain tuning parameters.  For turnkey systems, they 
> supply a small, primitive compiler for the job.  
> 	I have touched a few Linux systems, and I'm getting used to the Berkely 
> style kernel config mechanism.  I think it's easier to find source code 
> on the BSD kernel system, but ease of configuration leaves a lot to be 
> desired.  I don't think make is really a suitable tool for kernel config. 
> 
> 	I think we all ultimately want the all-singing, all-dancing loadable 
> kernel modules with PnP detection and auto config of devices while 
> simultaneously selecting proper drivers for compatible hardware while 
> working around all known incompatibilites. 
> 	In the mean time, how about a better way to build a custom kernel, or 
> tune an existing kernel?
> 

The "right" way would perhaps be a utility which would allow one to 
specify which drivers, how many instances, etc. one wants to have and 
compile a kernel config file from that information?

Having precompiled drivers, etc. for only kernel linking should be 
possible by only some digging in the Makefiles - want to have a try?

	Sander

PS. I do understand having precompiled modules for the kernel would not 
be to everyones taste - but remeber we are not discussing removing the 
source distribution...

> 	Robert Sexton.
> 
> 
> 



Want to link to this message? Use this URL: <https://mail-archive.FreeBSD.org/cgi/mid.cgi?Pine.BSF.3.91.960711212245.16265A-100000>