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Contents of the Book

Preface — introductory material
Part I — Building the Kernel

• Introduction — overview of the kernel-building process
  • Using This Book — how to navigate and apply the content
• Requirements for Building and Using the Kernel
  • Tools to Build the Kernel — compilers and utilities
  • Tools to Use the Kernel — tools needed after building
• Retrieving the Kernel Source
  • What Tree to Use — choosing the correct branch/version
  • Where to Find the Kernel Source — official sources
  • What to Do with the Source — preparing it for use
• Configuring and Building
  • Creating a Configuration — generating initial config
  • Modifying the Configuration — customizing options
  • Building the Kernel — compilation steps
  • Advanced Building Options — extra build flags and methods
• Installing and Booting from a Kernel
  • Using a Distribution’s Installation Scripts — automated install
  • Installing by Hand — manual installation steps
  • Modifying the Bootloader — configuring boot entries
• Upgrading a Kernel
  • Download the New Source — retrieving updated kernel
  • Applying the Patch — applying incremental updates
  • Reconfigure the Kernel — adjusting settings after upgrade
  • Can This Be Automated? — automation methods
    Part II — Major Customizations
• Customizing a Kernel
  • Using a Distribution Kernel — modifying packaged kernels
  • Determining the Correct Module from Scratch — identifying needed modules
• Kernel Configuration Recipes
  • Disks — storage-related configuration
  • Devices — hardware device settings
  • CPU — processor-specific tuning
  • Networking — network stack options
  • Filesystems — support for various file systems
  • Security — security framework options
  • Kernel Debugging — debugging tools and configs
    Part III — Kernel Reference
• Kernel Boot Command-Line Parameter Reference
  • Module-Specific Options
  • Console Options
  • Interrupt Options
  • Memory Options
  • Suspend Options
  • CPU Options
  • Scheduler Options
  • Ramdisk Options
  • Root Disk Options
  • Init Options
  • kexec Options
  • RCU Options
  • ACPI Options
  • SCSI Options
  • PCI Options
  • Plug and Play BIOS Options
  • SELinux Options
  • Network Options
  • Network File System Options
  • Hardware-Specific Options
  • Timer-Specific Options
  • Miscellaneous Options
• Kernel Build Command-Line Reference
  • Informational Targets
  • Cleaning Targets
  • Configuration Targets
  • Build Targets
  • Packaging Targets
  • Documentation Targets
  • Architecture-Specific Targets
  • Analysis Targets
• Kernel Configuration Option Reference — reference for all config symbols
  Part IV — Additional Information
• Helpful Utilities
  • Managing Your Patches with quilt — patch management
  • git — source control for kernel development
  • ketchup — tool for retrieving kernel releases

Book Description

Let’s face itif you’ve ever wondered what really goes on under the hood of your Linux system, Linux Kernel in a Nutshell is the guide you’ve been looking for. This isn’t one of those books that buries you in jargon or expects you to be a wizard right off the bat. Instead, it keeps things clear and approachable, while still diving deep enough for those who want to get their hands dirty with kernel configurations, compiling, and tuning. It’s like having a friendly mentor by your side as you explore the guts of Linux.

Book Overview

The Linux kernel is at the heart of every Linux operating system, but let’s be honestmost folks never peek inside. This book changes that. It explains how the kernel works, shows you how to configure it for your needs, and even walks you through building your own custom kernel. No fluff herejust real, actionable info that helps you understand what’s actually running your computer. I have to say, if you ever felt intimidated by the idea of kernel hacking, this book breaks down those walls pretty quickly.

Why Read This Book

Why bother reading about the Linux kernel? Well, if you’re tired of guessing what’s happening behind your favorite distro or want to optimize your system for performance (who doesn’t love a snappy machine?), this book is for you. There’s something empowering about understanding the backbone of your OS. Plus, let’s be realbeing able to say “I compiled my own kernel” at a meetup? Instant cred! Even if you’re not aiming to become a full-blown kernel developer, just knowing how things work can save you hours of troubleshooting down the line.

Who This Book Is For

This isn’t just for hardcore coders (though they’ll love it too). If you’re an enthusiastic Linux user, a sysadmin looking to level up, or even just someone who loves tinkering with tech, there’s something here for you. Maybe you’re curious about custom kernels or maybe you want to squeeze every bit of speed from your hardwareeither way, this book speaks your language. And hey, even if you’ve only dabbled with command-line stuff before, don’t worry; the explanations are friendly and never condescending.

What You Will Learn

• The basics of how the Linux kernel operates (it’s not magicpromise!)
• How to configure and customize the kernel for different hardware setups
• Step-by-step instructions on compiling your own kernel (it’s easier than it sounds)
• Troubleshooting tips for when things go sideways (because they sometimes do)
• Insights into modules, device drivers, and kernel parameters
• How to optimize performance and security using kernel tweaks
• Real-world examples that make abstract concepts click

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