kernel 2.6.32 will support auto "current modules to config"

lawilog · n00b Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 24

hi,

i have read that the new kernel 2.6.32 will support a new make target, which will enable exactly those modules in the kernel config, which are currently loaded. that's why i had the idea that during the gentoo installation (when many modules have been automaticcaly loaded from the boot cd) this could be used to create a basic configuration right before the user runs "make menuconfig" for the first time. what do you think about that?

Lars

d2_racing · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject:

If the user doesn't compile his own kernel, then Genkernel handle it actually pretty well right now.

lawilog · n00b Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 24

right, but most gentoo users i know do compile their own kernel.

djdunn · l33t Joined: 26 Dec 2004 Posts: 810

it would save a lot of time cause your not trying to find stuff in the config
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luispa · Guru Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 359 Location: España

costel78 · Guru Joined: 20 Apr 2007 Posts: 402

What is exactly the name of that target ? I'm unable to find nothing related.
Thank you.

Later: localmodconfig - it was my bad English. devfs 2.0 look impresive, also.
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Randy Andy

Below some details for information only:

d2_racing · Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 1:01 pm Post subject:

Do we really needs this option if you use a custom kernel :

Randy Andy · Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:44 am Post subject:

As far as i understand this option, it is very helpful to get to a customized kernel.

My future strategie to built a new customized kernel would be:

Running a kernel supporting nearly all options as a base. Special hardware which needs a loaded firmware to get recognized by the kernel should have loaded too.
Running make localmodconfig should configure automatically the needed modules, supporting your built in and connected hardware while running this script, for you.

This should be more easier than fiddleing around with the output of lspci lsmod lsusb and so on, to decide what's needed to built in to your kernel, to get a customized config only for your needs and the used hardware.

@d2_racing: Regarding your questions:

Especially when you want to built your customized kernel (not when you use it already, and it's complete and lean)
this option is very helpful.
And, if you doesn't use genkernel, you use a customized kernel, and so need it too.

Has anyone tried it?
I haven't had the time las weekend, cause Nikolaus...
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d2_racing · Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 12:41 pm Post subject:

I would like to know, if this new command remove the extra stuff that is using the [M] or it can even remove the extra stuff that is builtin inside the kernel.

Randy Andy · Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 1:43 pm Post subject:

As my posted info said, in short form...

This will facilitate testers by removing the thousand modules that
distributions enable with only the ones that they have loaded.

Then lsmod
is used to see what modules are loaded, and it will keep enabled all
the configs (including dependencies) that those modules require to
build. It disables all modules not needed.

Note, it only disables it does not enable, because a lot of modules
can be enabled by more than one config, and I don't want to guess.
I could someday enable easy configs (1 to 1 matches of config to module).

It also does nothing with built in code (=y). It does not enable or
disable them.

:wink:

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jeffk · l33t Joined: 13 Sep 2003 Posts: 671

This looks extremely helpful, and I would like to use it with genkernel 64-bit. On my gentoo machines, I started with the default config, and spend quite a bit of time in menuconfig paring down unwanted hardware module options. Sometimes one goes too far and it doesn't boot

Can anyone provide an example syntax to use this with genkernel? I would guess --makeopts= won't work, since localmodconfig is a make target.

Thanks.

jeffk · l33t Joined: 13 Sep 2003 Posts: 671

What is the definition of 'loaded modules only'? I was hoping to reduce the set to modules loaded by exiting hardware only. The modules loaded by LiveCDs such as SystemRescueCD, etc. seem to include many more: