Linux Administration - Kernel installation

Download files 

http://www.kernel.org
			
linux-version.tar.bz2 - kernel
patch-version.bz2 - kernel patches
linux-version.bz2.sign - kernel signature verification
Go to the above url to download the kernel files mentioned.


Verification 
 gpg --keyserver wwwkeys.pgp.net --recv-keys 0x517D0F0E
Import public key used by kernel maintainers.

 gpg --verify linux-2.6.11.10.tar.bz2.sign linux-2.6.11.10.tar.bz2
Verify authenticity of kernel.


Extract 
 cd /usr/src
> tar xvjf ~/linux-2.6.11.10.tar.bz2
> rm linux
> ln -s linux-2.6.11.10 linux
Extract kernel to /usr/src.
Remove the current linux symbolic link and create a new one to point to the new kernel.


Configuration 
 cd /usr/src/linux-2.6.11.10
			
THEN CHOICE OF:

> make oldconfig - used for old kernels
> make config - text mode
> make menuconfig - text mode (menu based)
> make xconfig - X based
Change into your new kernels source directory.
Then fire up one of the configuration utilities mentioned.


Compile 
pre-2.6.x
> make modules
> make
			
2.6.x and later
> make
Kernel versions prior to 2.6.x require the compilation of modules seperately.
For newer versions all that is needed is make.


Install kernel 
 cp /usr/src/linux/arch/i386/boot/bzImage /boot/bzImage-2.6.11.10
> make modules_install
Copy the kernel to its new home.
Then copy all of the kernel modules into /lib/modules/2.6.11.10.