User:Bpont/linux kernel configuration howto

This is the start page to a work in progress that I hope many people will contribute to over time, so it can eventually be moved to a more centralized area to be found by the Linux-loving masses, and will be beneficial to their knowledge quest of general understanding and their ability to optimize their own kernel configuration.

This project was borne out of frustration...and amazement that such a project / web site didn't already exist. Namely, a centralized place where *ALL* of the Linux configuration options are listed and clarified with in-depth information to both programmer and non-programmer alike (I belong to the latter camp).

Personal experience using the menuconfig help options was frustrating. I found the menuconfig help to be sparse, overly technical for a non-programmer or sometimes non-existent. Often the help text only created more questions than it answered.

As I've been told by others in the past, nobody knows *everything* about all the Linux kernel configure options. This may be true, but there is always *SOMEONE* who knows something about each option. Put all those minds and their understanding into one centralized place and you'll eventually have a web site which knows *everything* about every option. That's the goal of this site.

I'm not a control freak, so I'm open to the ideas of other people regarding all of this, but for a start, the layout I have in mind is roughly:

1.) The Kernel Version (which will have its own start page)

2.) A list of every option for that kernel version (with a link to each option's own information page)
 * How do u think we should organize the options. a flat hyrachy, or menuconfigs hyerarchy? and what should be the names.  Menuconfigs name, or the varaiables in .config, or the compiled module names? ZyMOS 04:16, 23 May 2006 (UTC)
 * Here is some starting blocks. http://gentoo-wiki.com/Index:HOWTO#Kernel_.26_Hardware

ZyMOS 04:21, 23 May 2006 (UTC) 3.) An information page for each option that includes:

a) A general description of what the option is for    b) What applications (userspace or other) are likely to require / use it     c) Likely environments where the option would be needed (i.e. enterprise, server, desktop, workstation, etc.)    d) Typical user who would need such an option e) Risks or conflicts of enabling / disabling an option    f) More in-depth analysis of the option for programmers, techies, geeks or the curious! ;)
 * It should also descript was version it was introduced and what versions it it in

Well, that seems like a good start, so without further ado, here's a link to kernel options for 2.6.16-r7. I procured this from Gentoo's Portage system. I know it's not a 'vanilla' kernel, but it's the one I'm currently working with.

User:bpont/gentoo-2.6.16-r7
 * I think we should use origional kernel sourses from http://www.kernel.org Im not sure is gentoo's is different, but it would avoid confusuion.
 * I made these pictures for kernel 2.6.10's menu config options so its a start

User:bpont/linux-2.6.10/menuconfig ZyMOS 04:05, 23 May 2006 (UTC)

User:Bpont/linux kernel configuration howto/config options list


 * I must admit you have gotten me all excited see Talk:Guide_to_configuring_the_linux_kernel to see the direction i am taking this ZyMOS 04:22, 24 May 2006 (UTC)