10.4. Kernel compilation - the Linux 1.3.x, 2.0.x, and 2.2.x kernels

For Linux 1.3.x, 2.0.x, and 2.2.x you can use a similar process as for Linux 1.2.13. Again, follow the instructions in the README file to properly install the sources. You start the kernel configuration process with...

make config

However, you also have the choice of...

make menuconfig

This provides a menu based configuration system with online help that allows you to move backwards and forwards in the configuration process.

There is also a highly recommended X windows based configuration interface...

make xconfig

You can compile PPP support directly into your kernel or as a loadable module.

If you only use PPP some of the time that your Linux machine is operating, then compiling PPP support as a loadable module is recommended. Using 'kerneld', your kernel will automatically load the module(s) required to provide PPP support when you start your PPP link process. This saves valuable memory space: no part of the kernel can be swapped out of memory, but loadable modules are automatically removed if they are not in use.

To do this, you need to enable loadable module support:-

Enable loadable module support (CONFIG_MODULES) [Y/n/?] y

To add PPP kernel support, answer the following question:-

PPP (point-to-point) support (CONFIG_PPP) [M/n/y/?]

For a PPP loadable module, answer M, otherwise for PPP compiled in as part of the kernel, answer Y.

Unlike kernel 1.2.13, kernel 2.0.x creates PPP devices on the fly as needed and it is not necessary to hack the sources to increase available PPP device numbers at all.